Over the past few years, as the U.S. economy has declined and personal incomes have fallen, the number of people who live in poverty has increased. According to recently released U.S. Census Bureau data, more than 15 percent of Americans were living below the poverty line in 2010. That's the highest percentage in almost two decades, but it may not come as a surprise to people in the Baltimore area considering personal bankruptcy.

Maryland is a state of stark of contrasts when one looks at poverty level rates. The city of Baltimore has the highest rate in the state at 24.7 percent, while residents just west of the city, in Howard County, have the lowest poverty rate at just 5.2 percent. Montgomery County is at 7.5 percent, exactly half the national average.

The poverty line is defined as a total household income of $22,314 or less for a family of four. Causes of poverty can be of your own doing or completely outside of your control. Losing a job, unforeseen medical debt or financial mismanagement all can play a factor in your financial circumstances.

According to the census data, the numbers equate to roughly 46 million people being below the poverty line. But not all areas of the country are affected equally. For instance, on average only 9.9 percent of all Maryland residents live in poverty. This is the second lowest percentage in the country.

Some of the hardest hit counties in the U.S. are in the south. Louisiana, Alabama, and Kentucky all have over 18 percent of their residents living below the poverty line. Mississippi has the misfortune of having the most poverty-stricken populace with more than 22 percent of residents being impoverished.

However, not all people who are down on their luck or experiencing financial hardship are headed for destitution. Money problems do not equal a life sentence, and there are solutions to difficult financial situations. Filing personal bankruptcy can often be one answer in these trying economic times. Bankruptcy can offer breathing room while you pull yourself out of a hole and restart your life anew. An experienced attorney can offer advice to anyone with questions regarding bankruptcy, as well as help determine if bankruptcy protection is the right decision for an individual's circumstances.

Source: money.msn.com, "The poorest counties in America," Jan. 12, 2012

Source: U. S. Census Bureau, "State and County Estimates for 2010."