Poverty
Goal:
Measure
There are several measures in this category, including the percentage of the population living
below the poverty threshold represented in the categories of all ages and
children ages 0 to 17 and by race and ethnicity. Additionally, ACS data (2009-2013) examines 12-month averages for poverty status of residents in Midland County and transportation to work of the population living below 100% and 150% poverty, as well as those living at or above 150% of poverty; and the educational attainment and employment status for those classified as living in poverty.
Why This Indicator is Important
Poverty is a condition in which a person or community
is deprived of and/or lacks the essentials for a minimum standard of well-being
and life. These essentials may be material resources such as food, safe
drinking water, and shelter, or they may be social resources such as access to
information, education, health care, social status, political power, or the
opportunity to develop meaningful connections with other people in society.
Poverty has a direct impact on safe, stable, and healthy families. The U.S.
Census 2009 Report on Income Poverty and Health Insurances lists $11,000 as the
poverty threshold for one person, $17,000 for a single parent, and $25,000 for
two parent households.
How Are We Doing?
According to the U.S. Census
Community Survey (ACS 2009-2013), 16.8% of all persons under 18 in Midland
County lived in poverty (21.6% for the US and 23.6% for Michigan) and 13.8% of
those age 18-64 (16.2% for Michigan and 14.3% for the US) also struggled; a slight growth from the previous ACS. Midland
County (6.4%) fared better than in poverty levels of residents over age 65 than
Michigan (8.2%) and US average of 9.4%. The U.S. Census 2010 Report on Income
Poverty and Health Insurances lists $11,000 as the poverty threshold for one
person, $17,000 for a single parent, and $25,000 for two parent households. The
county’s overall poverty rate of 13.4% is below Michigan (16.8%) and the US
(15.4%) averages.
The American Community Survey (ACS 2009-2013) 12-month averages shows that in Midland County 3,786 live at 50% of the poverty level (see US Census Poverty level above for individuals). 17,613 persons live at 150% of the poverty level (e.g., individuals earn 1 1/2 times more than the poverty rate of $11,000 or they make $16,500 per year). 25,135 persons live at 200% of the poverty level (e.g., individuals earn twice the poverty rate of $11,000 or they make $22,000). According the ACS, the average median income deficit for persons living in poverty is $5,500 per year. Since the previous ACS (2008-2-12), there has been a significant shift of income disparity (as the number of those at 50% and 150% have increased).
Educational attainment of persons living in poverty who are 25 years and older (ACS 2009-2013 12 month estimates) in Midland (6,104 persons or 10.9% of the population), is as follows: 27.3% have less than a high diploma, 15.9% have a high school diploma, 9.7% have some college or an associate degree, and 3.8% have a bachelor degree or higher. Of the 4,023 civilian labor force (over 16 years of age) 8.4% are employed (6.9% of those are males and 10% are females), while 26.6% are unemployed (26.1% of those are male and 27.3% are females). The employment status does not include persons who have stopped looking for work, work are home, or are full-time students.
The ACS (2009-2013) also provides 12-month data of means of transportation by persons who are employed below the poverty level (100% or below)--3,078 persons, between poverty and 150% of poverty (2,279 persons), and at 150% or above the poverty level (30,917 persons). Overall, 85% of Midland County residents drove to work alone (75% for those at or below poverty, 80% for those above poverty, and 87% for those 150% above poverty). Regardless of poverty status, less than 7% of Midland residents used Public transportation, Carpooled, Walked, or got to work by alternative means (taxi, bike, motorcycle, etc.).
The American Community Survey (ACS 2009-2013) 12-month averages shows that in Midland County 3,786 live at 50% of the poverty level (see US Census Poverty level above for individuals). 17,613 persons live at 150% of the poverty level (e.g., individuals earn 1 1/2 times more than the poverty rate of $11,000 or they make $16,500 per year). 25,135 persons live at 200% of the poverty level (e.g., individuals earn twice the poverty rate of $11,000 or they make $22,000). According the ACS, the average median income deficit for persons living in poverty is $5,500 per year. Since the previous ACS (2008-2-12), there has been a significant shift of income disparity (as the number of those at 50% and 150% have increased).
Educational attainment of persons living in poverty who are 25 years and older (ACS 2009-2013 12 month estimates) in Midland (6,104 persons or 10.9% of the population), is as follows: 27.3% have less than a high diploma, 15.9% have a high school diploma, 9.7% have some college or an associate degree, and 3.8% have a bachelor degree or higher. Of the 4,023 civilian labor force (over 16 years of age) 8.4% are employed (6.9% of those are males and 10% are females), while 26.6% are unemployed (26.1% of those are male and 27.3% are females). The employment status does not include persons who have stopped looking for work, work are home, or are full-time students.
The ACS (2009-2013) also provides 12-month data of means of transportation by persons who are employed below the poverty level (100% or below)--3,078 persons, between poverty and 150% of poverty (2,279 persons), and at 150% or above the poverty level (30,917 persons). Overall, 85% of Midland County residents drove to work alone (75% for those at or below poverty, 80% for those above poverty, and 87% for those 150% above poverty). Regardless of poverty status, less than 7% of Midland residents used Public transportation, Carpooled, Walked, or got to work by alternative means (taxi, bike, motorcycle, etc.).
Qualitative Indicators for Impact
Economy