Child Poverty

Nearly 13 million children in the United States—17% of all children—live in families with incomes below the federal poverty level—$21,200 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, 39% 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

• Annual Report
  Brochure, January 2008
• Who are America’s Poor Children?
  The Official Story
  Fact Sheet, November 2007
• Most Low-Income Parents Are Employed
  Fact Sheet, November 2007
• Parents’ Low Education Leads to Low Income, Despite Full-Time Employment
  Fact Sheet, November 2007
• Low-Income Children in the United States
  National and State Trend Data, 1996-2006
  Report, September 2007
• Basic Facts About Low-Income Children
  Birth to Age 18
  Fact Sheet, September 2007
• Testimony on Measuring Poverty in America
  Testimony, August 2007
• Struggling Despite Hard Work
  Illinois and Chicago
  Fact Sheet, April 2007