Child Poverty

Nearly 15 million children in the United States – 21% 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, 42% 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 experience 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

• Who Are America’s Poor Children?
  Examining Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity
  Report, July 2011
• Poor Children by Parents’ Nativity
  What Do We Know?
  Brief, April 2011
• Healthy Kids and Strong Working Families
  Improving Economic Security for North Dakota Families with Children
  Brief, April 2011
• Who are America’s Poor Children?
  The Official Story
  Brief, March 2011
• Who Are America’s Poor Children?
  Examining Health Disparities Among Children in the United States
  Report, January 2011
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009
  Children Under Age 3
  Fact Sheet, October 2010
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009
  Children Under Age 6
  Fact Sheet, October 2010
• Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009
  Children Aged 6 through 11
  Fact Sheet, October 2010