Poverty decreased and income increased in New York and New Jersey, according to the figures for 2017 that were released by the Census Bureau Thursday.

The number of New York City residents living below the poverty line decreased for the third consecutive year, dropping to 18 percent, down .9 percentage points compared to 2016.

“The improving economy has finally led to a return to poverty rate below what they were in 2007, before the Great Recession,” said Nancy Rankin, vice president at the Community Service Society. She said job growth and increases in the minimum wage contributed to this.

Median household income increased by 1.2 percent to reach $60,879. Poverty levels also declined for New York State and in New Jersey.