Former US Census director, Texas demographer available to comment on poverty report

David Ruth
713-348-6327
druth@rice.edu

Amy Hodges
713-348-6777
amy.hodges@rice.edu

Former US Census director, Texas demographer available to comment on poverty report

A new U.S. Census report shows that poverty in the United States is at its worst in 52 years and that Texas is even poorer compared to the rest of the nation.

Steve Murdock, professor of sociology at Rice University, has seen the data and is available for media interviews to discuss the new report.

Murdock previously served as the first official state demographer of Texas and directed the U.S. Census from 2007 to 2009. He is known for his work in assessing the effects of demographic change on socioeconomic change and in assessing the impacts of large-scale developments on the economic, demographic, public service, fiscal and social/cultural dimensions of small population areas.

Murdock is currently traveling, so he is available for phone interviews only until this weekend, when he can do on-camera television interviews.

To schedule an interview with Murdock, contact David Ruth at druth@rice.edu or 713-348-6327.