Poverty changes little in Illinois & Chicago in the Latest Census Release

Heartland's Mid-America Institute on Poverty has done a real time analysis of today's census release of the latest poverty data. Watch the blog in the coming days for more analysis. Below is a brief summary, but find all the fact sheets for counties, the state, and the Midwest here (note: the census only released information for areas with populations of 65,000 or above). After you take a look at the numbers, take a moment to endorse the campaign to help bring these startling numbers to an end.


Poverty in Illinois, 2007

Overall Poverty Rate has Decreased from 2006, Still Above 2000 Level: Illinois’ official poverty rate in 2007 was 11.9 percent, A decrease from 12.3 percent in 2006, yet still above the 10.7 percent of 2000. There were 1,496,248 people in poverty in Illinois in 2007.

Many Continue to Fall Far Below the Poverty Line: In 2007, 5.3 percent, or 667,578 people lived in extreme poverty, with incomes below half of the poverty line (below $10,325 for a family of four). This is a decrease from 5.5 percent in 2006, but still above the 5.1 percent of 2000.

Over Two Million are at Risk of Falling into Poverty – An additional 16.2 percent, or 2,029,262 people, are at risk of falling into poverty in Illinois. Consequently, more than 1 in 4 individuals in Illinois are either in poverty or at risk of being in poverty.

Child Poverty Decreased Since 2006: For children younger than 18, the poverty rate decreased from 16.8 percent in 2006 to 16.3 percent, or 511,142 children, in 2007, but is still well above the 2000 rate of 14.0 percent.


Median Household Income and Earnings in Illinois, 2007

Real Median Household Income Increased slightly, though still far below 2000: Real median household income in Illinois rose $643 to $54,124 in 2007, but has declined by $3,852 since 2000 (when adjusted for inflation).


Health Insurance Coverage in Illinois, 2007

The Number of People Without Health Insurance Coverage Declined, Largely as A Result of Government Insurance: The number of uninsured fell to 13.7 percent in 2007 from 13.9 percent) in 2006, but is still well above the uninsured rate of 13.0 percent in 2000.

Poverty in the Chicago Area, 2007

Overall Poverty Rate has Decreased from 2006, Still Above 2000 Level: The Chicago area’s official poverty rate in 2007 was 11.3 percent, a decrease from 11.8 percent in 2006, yet still above the 10.6 percent of 2000. There were 936,259 people in poverty in the Chicago area in 2007.

Many Continue to Fall Far Below the Poverty Line: In 2007, 5.0 percent, or 416,119 people lived in extreme poverty, with incomes below half of the poverty line (below $10,325 for a family of four). This is a decrease from 5.4% percent in 2006, and 5.3 percent in 2000.

Over 1.2 Million are at Risk of Falling into Poverty – An additional 15.4 percent, or 1,277,860 people, are at risk of falling into poverty in the Chicago area. Consequently, more than 1 in 4 individuals in the Chicago area are either in poverty or at risk of being in poverty.

Poverty in Chicago, 2007

Overall Poverty Rate has Decreased from 2006, Still Above 2000 Level: Chicago’s official poverty rate in 2007 was 20.5 percent, A decrease from 21.2 percent in 2006, yet still above the 19.6 percent of 2000. There were 550,580 people in poverty in Chicago in 2007.

Many Continue to Fall Far Below the Poverty Line: In 2007, 9.1 percent, or 244,498 people lived in extreme poverty, with incomes below half of the poverty line (below $10,325 for a family of four). This is a decrease from 9.8% percent in 2006, and 10.1 percent in 2000.

Child Poverty has Decrease Since 2006: For children younger than 18, the poverty rate decreased to 30.6 percent in 2007 from 31.1 percent in 2006, but is up from 28.1 percent in 2000.