What does this measure?

The proportion of children under 18 living below the federally defined poverty line. Poverty thresholds vary by family composition and year. In 2007, the threshold for a three-person family with one child was $16,689. For a five-person family with four children, it was $24,366.

Why is this important?

Children raised in impoverished environments are at higher risk for a wide variety of health and social problems, including poor performance in school. The challenges they face in childhood can diminish their chances for successful adult lives.

How is the Greater Capital Region performing?

In 2005-07, 14% of children in the Greater Capital Region were living in poverty. This is below the State rate of 20% and national rate of 18%. Child poverty in the region rose 3 percentage points since 1990. The rate increased 5 points in Rensselaer County and 3 points in both Albany and Schenectady counties. Saratoga County has the lowest child poverty rate of 7%, less than half that of the other four counties in the region.

Notes about the data

The 2005-2007 figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined three years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Poverty status is not reported for people in institutions, including college dormitories and military barracks, and people in living situations without conventional housing.