Carolina Public Press: Data shows poverty levels higher in WNC, especially for children

Posted on by Angie Newsome, editor, Carolina Public Press

EXCERPT FROM CAROLINA PUBLIC PRESS:
County-wide poverty rates for all Western North Carolina counties, released today, Nov. 29, by the U.S. Census Bureau, show that nearly one out of every five mountain residents lived in poverty last year in more than half of the region’s 17 counties.

Carolina Public Press analyzed the county-wide data for all residents and children under age 18. It showed that the hardest-hit county for all residents was Rutherford, where an estimated 25 percent of the residents lived in poverty last year. By way of comparison, the statewide poverty rate for 2010 was 17.4 percent. Graham County had the highest estimated poverty rate for children under age 18, where the level reached 34.2 percent, nearly 10 percentage points higher than the statewide rate, which was 24.6 percent. …

For the full story, go to carolinapublicpress.org.

Angie Newsome is the editor and founder of Asheville-based nonprofit Carolina Public Press, a media project dedicated to in-depth, investigative and independent reporting on the overlooked and under-reported people, places and issues facing the 17 westernmost counties of North Carolina..

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2 thoughts on “Carolina Public Press: Data shows poverty levels higher in WNC, especially for children”

  1. Matthew Burd

    What will it tske to get people to take action? In an area with an unemployment rate of 10% the poverty rate of children is above 24%. Does that not tell you that we live in a backward and corrupt system.

    The rulers of this world are the ones with the money. Make the rulers fear you. Then make them respect you. Then make them listen to you. Then they won’t be your rulers anymore.

  2. Dionysis

    The poor have no clout, and with politicians blaming them for their own woes, don’t expect anything but more of the same.

    “Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), now seemingly the Republican partyТs new frontrunner for their presidential nomination, took rhetorical aim on Thursday at an all new threat to AmericaТs economy, one thatТs been with us all along: lazy children of poor families.”

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/12/02/gingrich-children-of-poor-families-are-lazy-should-be-put-to-work/

    A recent 60 Minutes progam focused on the fact that 40% of the homeless in Orlando, Florida that are living in cars, under overpasses and so forth are children.

    If only these kids would get off their lazy duff and find some sweatshop or farm work to do.

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