(Philadelphia, PA) September 22, 2011 – The percentage of children living in poverty has increased in four of five Southeastern Pennsylvania counties from before the recession (2006) through 2010, with deep poverty impacting nearly half of poor children.
According to the American Community Survey (ACS) figures, released by the U.S. Census Bureau, 172,679 children in our region – nearly one in five – lived in poverty last year. At 36.4 percent, Philadelphia has the highest child poverty rate in the five counties, with more than half of the city’s poor children living in deep poverty, or $11,175 for a family of four (defined as less than half the federal poverty line, $22,350 for a family of four).
Philadelphia’s rate of deep poverty for children increased from 15.6 percent (55,760 children) in 2009 to 19 percent (64,464 children) in 2010. Delaware County’s deep poverty rate for children, 5.9 percent, is the highest of the suburban counties, with 7,600 kids who are extremely poor.
“The tremendous increase in deep poverty among Philadelphia’s children is heartbreaking,” says Kathy Fisher, Family Economic Security Associate for Public Citizens for Children and Youth (PCCY). “We know many families were struggling long before the recession, but these shocking figures show how much more difficult day-to-day survival has become.”
Reaching back to pre-recession levels (2006), other than a small decrease in Montgomery County, child poverty increased throughout the region. While Philadelphia has a much higher child poverty rate than the surrounding suburbs, Bucks County had the most significant increase – 2.2 percent – from 2006 to 2010.
“At a time when Congress is considering cuts to a whole range of critical programs, many of which have helped families make ends meet during these difficult financial times, the needs of our children should be kept first and foremost,” adds Fisher.