Poverty
In September, the US Census Bureau reported that Indiana’s poverty rate increased from 13.1% in 2007-2008 to 16.2% in 2009-2010. This increase is not only statistically significant, but is the 6th highest increase in poverty rate in the country. This rate qualifies Indiana as 15th in the nation for highest poverty. The Census Bureau data also highlights a very troubling increase in child poverty in Indiana – in 2010, Indiana’s child poverty rate increased 10% in one year to 21.7%. Today, 1 in every 5 Indiana children lives in poverty.1
Southeastern Indiana’s economic future requires that our county and region address our poverty rates, rates that contribute to Indiana’s poverty woes. The location of the Clearinghouse – Jefferson County – has a poverty rate of 15% and a child poverty rate of 22%. These rates are the highest within the 10-county Workforce Region 9 and higher than our neighboring counties, with the exception of Scott. Not unrelated is the fact that Jefferson County also has the highest dropout rate in the region, at 16.7%.2
Poverty Rates By County3 |
| County |
Poverty Rate - All |
Poverty Rate - Under 18 Years |
Bartholomew
Decatur
Dearborn
Franklin
Jackson
JEFFERSON
Jennings
Ohio
Ripley
Scott
Switzerland |
10.4%
10.8%
7.2%
11.7%
11.1%
15%
12.3%
8.4%
9.8%
15.9%
14.4% |
15.8%
17.3%
8.5%
16.8%
13.7%
22%
16.1%
11.4%
14.3%
22.6%
19.2% |
1 Indiana Institute for Working Families. “Indiana Experiences One of the Highest Poverty Rate Increases in the Country in 2010.”
2 Indiana Department of Education. Figured by largest school corporation in county
3 US Census Bureau. Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months. 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates.