October 13, 2009 - Posted by Lara Awad
Women, children and minorities are bearing a disproportionate share of the rise in poverty and unemployment in America, according to a new analysis of census data by U.S. congressional district.
The Half in Ten Campaign analyzed the data in all 435 congressional districts and found that:
- the child poverty rate is about 30 percent in 36 districts across 16 states;
- the poverty rate for women is above the national average in more than half of the districts;
- one in four African Americans live below the poverty level in nearly 200 districts; and
- the poverty rate among Latinos is more than 25 percent in 145 districts.
In light of the findings, Half in Ten is urging Congress to extend unemployment insurance in all states to prevent those looking for a job from slipping into poverty.
"These data underscore the importance of setting national poverty-reduction goals such as cutting poverty in half in 10 years. While the economy was growing between 2001 and 2007, we saw the unprecedented trend of more Americans falling into poverty. Without a focused government effort and absent additional assistance, poverty rates will continue to rise as will disparities by race and gender," Melissa Boteach, manager of the Half in Ten Campaign. "As we rebuild our economy, we need to be intentional about doing so in a way that promotes shared prosperity and sets benchmarks to achieve significant poverty-reduction progress."
Find 2008 poverty data for your congressional district.
Categories: Poverty & Welfare
