Recovering Lost Opportunities:
Supporting Today’s Workforce for a Brighter Tomorrow
Community Condition EventOctober, 2012
Lily FrenchSenior Policy Consultant
www.iowapolicyproject.org • www.iowapolicypoints.org • www.iowafiscal.org
Cost of Living for Cedar Rapids MSA, 2011(Linn, Benton & Jones Counties)
*One child age 2 or 3 **One child age 2 or 3, one child age 6-10
On www.iowapolicyproject.org:Go to your county and click for Cost of Living table
Source: 2011 HHS Poverty Guidelines http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml
Comparing Poverty Guidelines & Family Supporting Wages
Family Type Family Supporting Annual Income
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Single adult $20,102 $10,890
Single parent, one child (under 5)
$32,221 $14,710
Single parent, two children (ages 3, 10)
$42,471 $18,530
Two parents, one child (under 5)
$31,711 - $41,143 $18,530
Two parents, two children (ages 3, 10)
$37,108 - $50,193 $22,350
Iowans Struggling to Get By in 2011• Estimated proportion of working Iowa families with income
below a basic needs budget
Proportion
BelowMargin of
Error
Statewide Single persons 28.0% 3.0%
Married couples without children 12.1% 1.8%
Married couples with children under 18 22.9% 2.3%
Single parents 74.0% 7.8%
All households 22.7% 1.4%
Linn County: All households 18.7% 2.8%
Source: The Cost of Living in Iowa, Iowa Policy Project, 2012
Single parent, working full-time with two children in Cedar Rapids (2010)
With each level of attainment
Education Benefits Individuals & Communities
• With each successful educational attainment– Earnings rise– Unemployment and underemployment declines– Living in poverty declines
Education Benefits the State’s Budget
• Investments in postsecondary education for low-income adults generates income tax revenues more than double the state’s program costs
– Associate’s degree - $3.70 for every dollar– Bachelor’s degree - $2.40 for every dollar
Contact Us
• Lily French Senior Policy Consultant
• Peter FisherResearch Director
319-338-0773www.iowapolicyproject.
org
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