Child Poverty
About 15 million children in the United States – 21% of all children – live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold, a measurement that has been shown to underestimate the needs of families. 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.
Recent Publications
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The Florida Minimum Wage
How Much Can It Really Buy, and How High Should It Be?
Brief, August 2016 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children under 18 Years, 2014
Fact Sheet, February 2016 -
Basic Facts about Low-income Children
Children Aged 12 through 17 Years, 2014
Fact Sheet, February 2016 -
Basic Facts about Low-income Children
Children Aged 6 through 11 Years, 2014
Fact Sheet, February 2016 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children under 6 Years, 2014
Fact Sheet, February 2016 -
Basic Facts about Low-Income Children
Children Under 3 Years, 2014
Fact Sheet, February 2016 -
Young Children in Deep Poverty
Fact Sheet, January 2016 -
Three Policy Reforms to Help Low-Income Children in Ohio
Brief, October 2015
