A higher percentage of Mainers were poor last year than in 2001, during the last recession, according to an analysis of new U.S. Census data by the Maine Center for Economic Policy.

The increased poverty rate despite several years of overall economic growth means a larger share of Maine's families are vulnerable in the current weakened economy, according to the center. The Maine Center for Economic Policy, a non-partisan research and advocacy group, released its analysis Tuesday along with a call for expanded economic opportunity and access to health insurance, among other things.

"Despite several years of economic growth, Maine actually lost ground in key areas like poverty and family incomes. And now that the economy has weakened, things are likely to get worse before they get better," said Nicole Witherbee, analyst with the center.

Data from the Census American Community Survey shows Maine's poverty rate increase from 10.6 percent in 2001 to 12 percent in 2007, according to the center. Median income for working-age households increased from $44,671 in 2006 to $45,888 in 2007, but that represents a 2.75 percent drop after adjusting for inflation.

On the positive side, a higher percentage of Mainers had health insurance in 2007 than in 2001. Using two year averages from the Current Population Survey, the center said, the percentage of Mainers who were uninsured dropped from 10.3 percent in 2000 -2001 to 9 percent in 2006-2007.