November 14, 2013ucsjoco@ucsjoco.org

Johnson County Poverty Trends

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If poverty was a city…..It would be the 5th largest city in

Johnson County

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

160,000

180,000

Total Population

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If poverty was a city…….It would have been the county’s fastest

growing city during the last decade

POVERTY

Gardner

Olathe

Shaw

nee

Lenex

a

Overla

nd Park

Balance

Leaw

ood

Northea

st -20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

140%

% population increase 2000 - 2010

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Why poverty matters

Poverty has many tangible and intangible costs for a community. Lower student achievement in schools Loss of human potential and productivity Reduction of workforce readiness and economic

competitiveness Increased crime and the rising cost of criminal justice Higher health insurance premiums and medical costs

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How is poverty defined?

Persons in family/household

2013 Poverty Guideline

1 $11,490

2 $15,510

3 $19,530

4 $23,550

Each additional person Add $4,020

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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How does the poverty threshold compare to what it costs to live in Johnson County?

Family Size Poverty Threshold Johnson County Living Wage*

1 adult $11,490 $19,460

1 adult, 1 child $15,510 $39,982

1 adult, 2 children $19,530 $48,686

2 adults, 2 children $23,550 $40,429

*Source: Dr. Amy K. Glasmeir and the Massachusetts Institute of Technologywww:Livingwage.mit.edu/

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National data trends• Significant numbers of people move into poverty throughout

their lives.• People cycle in and out of poverty over the course of their lives.• Most people who become poor do not spend a long time in

poverty.• The likelihood of becoming poor is higher for blacks, Hispanics,

those in households headed by women, and those with lower levels of education.

• Job losses or pay cuts most often trigger poverty spells.• Job gains and pay raises most often lift a household out of

poverty.

Source: The Urban Institute

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Number of people in KC metro counties below federal poverty level, 2012

Johnson Wyandotte Cass Clay Jackson Platte

37,440 36,900

8,600 19,640

125,800

5,570

Poverty Rate 6.8% 23.4% 8.7% 8.7% 18.9% 6.1%

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Number of people in Johnson Countybelow federal poverty level, 2012

2000 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

15,300

23,200

37,90035,800 36,100 37,400

Poverty Rate 3.4% 4.4% 7.1% 6.6% 6.6% 6.8%

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Why poverty in the suburbs is growingIncreased poverty in the suburbs is a national trend and

a local reality. There are three key reasons. More people moving to the suburbs for jobs, quality

education and safe neighborhoods.

Downward mobility of the middle class over the past decade.

Recession-related fiscal challenges – job loss, unemployment and underemployment, and foreclosure crisis.

Source: “The Suburbanization of Poverty: Trends in Metropolitan America, 2000 to 2008.” Brookings Institution, Metropolitan Policy Program

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Under age 6

Ages 6-11

Ages 12-17

Ages 18-24

Ages 25-34

Ages 35-44

Ages 45-54

Ages 55-64

Ages 65-74

75 and above-2.0%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

Johnson County Poverty Rates by Age

2008

2012

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Participation Rate in Free and Reduced School Lunch Program

2012-13

2011-12

2010-11

2009-10

2008-09

2007-08

2006-07

2005-06

2004-05

2003-04

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

SHAWNEE MISSION GARDNER-EDGERTON OLATHE SPRING HILL DE SOTO BLUE VALLEY

Eligibility: Free – 135% poverty. Reduced – 185% poverty.

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Johnson County residents with income below 100% FPL

Working Age Adults53%

Children34%

Seniors 65+7%

Disabled, unable to work6%

Adults Employed full time9%

Adults Em-ployed part-time or part-

year29%

Adults Not working

15%

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Top 10 occupations with highest projected growthKS Region Projections, KS Dept. of Labor 2008-2018

Food Service

Retail Sales

Landscaping/Groundskeeping

Nursing Aides, Orderlies/Attendants

Office Clerks

Bill Collectors

Customer Service

Truck Drivers

Elementary Teacher

Registered Nurses

$16,498

$19,731

$24,315

$25,700

$26,918

$27,968

$29,960

$40,052

$40,882

$59,034

Mean Wage

vSafety Net

Child CareJob Training

Social SecuritySSI / SSDI

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families

Tax CreditsUnemployment InsuranceVocational Rehabilitation

Emergency Aid

Housing

Nutrition

Utility Assistance

Child/Adult Abuse

Child Welfare

Medicaid / Medicare

Health Care

Mental/Behavioral Health

Physical/Developmental Disabilities

Substance Abuse

Picture

UCS logo and contact

HEALTH, WELLNESS AND SAFETY

BASIC NEEDSWORK AND INCOME

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What will it take to reduce poverty?

Maintain Robust Safety Net• Unemployment Insurance and other support for workers• Public and private aid• Support for seniors and disabled

Promote Work and Make it Pay• Higher minimum wage• Employment benefits (health insurance, paid leave)• Earned Income Tax Credit; Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit• Subsidized job program

Raise Educational Attainment • Early childhood learning programs• Public education and college aid