How Common is Poverty in the State of Illinois?
Poverty in the Suburbs
Increased rates of poverty in Wheaton, Illinois.
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How Illinois Measures Up
In Illinois, there are 1,611,061 families, with 3,053,234 children.
Low-Income Children: 38% (1,168,780) of children live in low-income families (National: 44%), defined as income below 200% of the federal poverty level. |
Rantoul: One Central Illinois Community's Struggle against Poverty
Rural vs. Urban Poverty in Illinois
According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the average per-capita income for Illinoisans in 2010 was $42,040, although rural per-capita income lagged at $33,196. 2010 estimates indicate a poverty rate of 14.5% exists in rural Illinois, compared to a 13.7% level in urban areas of the State. 2010 ACS data reports that 14.0% of the rural population has not completed high school, compared to 13.8% of urban populations. 2
In Illinois, past poverty rates have ranged from 3.1% (Kendall County) to 33.9% (Alexander County) meaning that there is a large gap between families living above and below poverty level within our state. Commonly, people in urban areas believe that poverty is only found in metropolitan cities but that is not true. In previous years, up to 5 non-metropolatian counties have had poverty rates over 20%. As you can see on this chart, rural poverty has always been a problem and the 2007 economic recession made it even worse.
(http://www.ilpovertyreport.org/sites/default/files/uploads/images/PR11_Report_FINAL.pdf)
(http://www.ilpovertyreport.org/sites/default/files/uploads/images/PR11_Report_FINAL.pdf)
One problem the recession has caused is the slowing down of industrial business, small business, agricultural business, and factories. Many families with single parent income were negetively effected by this in both urban and rural areas. This effects basic needs such as food, housing, and education. In more than 50% of Illinois counties across the state, one out of every four children experience food insecurity on a daily basis. A full time Illinois worker earning minimum wage can only afford rent of $429 a month- significantly less than the amount needed to purchase a home in areas with 'successful' public schools. It has a direct correlation because educational funding relies on local property taxes, resources are not equally distributed among the state. For example, one school has an Instructional Expenditure per pupil of $3,925 while another area has $14,874.
In Chicago, 13.6% on the region's residents are living in poverty. Since 2008, there has been an increase of 9.1% of affordable housing shortage meaning that many families are left homeless or living in houses or apartments they cannot afford. That being said, personal bankruptcy has increased 59.2% between 2008 and 2010.
In Chicago, 13.6% on the region's residents are living in poverty. Since 2008, there has been an increase of 9.1% of affordable housing shortage meaning that many families are left homeless or living in houses or apartments they cannot afford. That being said, personal bankruptcy has increased 59.2% between 2008 and 2010.
1 - According to Social IMPACT Research Center’s
analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 Decennial Census and the 2008 American Community Survey. |
2 - Copyright@ 2002–2012 Rural Assistance Center. www.raconline.org
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