Child Poverty

Nearly 14 million children in the United States – 19% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level – $22,050 a year for a family of four. Research shows that, on average, families need an income of about twice that level to cover basic expenses. Using this standard, 41% of children live in low-income families.

Most of these children have parents who work, but low wages and unstable employment leave their families struggling to make ends meet. Poverty can impede children’s ability to learn and contribute to social, emotional, and behavioral problems. Poverty also can contribute to poor health and mental health. Risks are greatest for children who experience poverty when they are young and/or deep and persistent poverty.

Research is clear that poverty is the single greatest threat to children’s well-being. But effective public policies – to make work pay for low-income parents and to provide high-quality early care and learning experiences for their children – can make a difference. Investments in the most vulnerable children are also critical.

Publications

• Low-income Children in the United States
  National and State Trend Data, 1998-2008
  Report, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under Age 18
  Fact Sheet, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under Age 3
  Fact Sheet, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Under Age 6
  Fact Sheet, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Aged 6-11
  Fact Sheet, November 2009
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children
  Children Aged 12-17
  Fact Sheet, November 2009
• The Economic Crisis and the Health, Well-Being and Security of New York’s Children and Families
  Report of a Meeting, March 13, 2009
  Report, September 2009
• Ten Important Questions About Child Poverty and Family Economic Hardship
  Brochure, June 2009