ST. PAUL — Newly released census data shows Minnesota has one of the lowest poverty rates in the nation.

U.S. Census Bureau figures show about a half million Minnesotans live in poverty, or about 9 percent of the state’s population. That rate ties with Vermont and is lower than any state except New Hampshire. The national poverty rate is 13.5 percent and still hasn’t fallen to pre-recession levels.

Minnesota Public Radio News says the proportion of Minnesota residents with access to health insurance rose last year. About 4.5 percent of state residents were uninsured in 2015, down from 8.2 percent in 2013.

Nationwide, about 9 percent of people were uninsured people last year. That’s about 29 million people. Nearly 4 million gained coverage during the year.