Since President Lyndon B. Johnson launched the War on Poverty 50 years ago, the characteristics of the nation’s poor have changed: A larger share of poor Americans today are in their prime working years and fewer are elderly. In addition, those in poverty are disproportionately children and people of any age who are black, Hispanic or both.
But perhaps just as striking is that the geographic distribution of the poor has changed dramatically, too. A new Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data finds that the South continues to be home to many of America’s poor, though to a lesser degree than a half-century ago. In 1960, half (49%) of impoverished Americans lived in the South. By 2010, that share had dropped to 41%.
Much of the geographic shift of poverty reflects general trends in population shifts across the country over that same period.As rural areas, such as in the Midwest, have become less impoverished since the 1960s, those areas make up a smaller share of the U.S. population overall. At the same time, urban centers have gained in total population and hold a greater share of the U.S. population overall.
For example, in 1960, places like Maine and North Dakota had higher poverty rates than many of the nation’s biggest metro areas. But by 2010, the reverse was true: High-poverty areas were in counties that are a part of the nation’s largest metro areas such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, but not in places like Nebraska and South Dakota. At the same time, the share of the population in the nation’s urban areas increased from 70% to 81% over that 50-year period.
And much of the South still struggles with poverty. Of the 16 Southern states, only Maryland and Delaware had a poverty rate below the national average in 1960. Among the 14 Southern states with poverty rates higher than the U.S. average that year, only Virginia’s had dropped below the national mark by 2010.
Over the past 50 years, the poor have increasingly lived in the 20 most populous counties. In 2010, about one-in-five poor Americans (21%) lived in these high-density counties such as Los Angeles in California, Queens in New York and Clark in Nevada, up from 14% in 1960.
As a result, many of the nation’s biggest counties by population had high poverty rates in 2010, though that was not the case in 1960. Twelve of today’s most populous counties had poverty rates above the national average in 2010, including Los Angeles, Cook (Chicago) in Illinois, Maricopa (Phoenix) in Arizona, Kings (Brooklyn) in New York, and Dallas. In 1960, eight of these 12 counties had poverty rates below the national average. Another three had poverty rates above the national average in both 1960 and 2010: Bexar (San Antonio) in Texas, Miami-Dade in Florida, and New York (Manhattan). And one county, Broward (Ft. Lauderdale) in Florida, had a poverty rate that was above the national average in 1960 but dipped below the average by 2010.
It’s worth noting that as the geography of poverty-stricken areas has shifted, the nation’s official poverty rate has declined over the past half-century, from 22.1% in 1960 to 14.5% in 2013, according to Census Bureau data.
Even in some of the nation’s poorest regions, the poverty rate has declined. In Appalachia, the poverty rate remains above the national average, but has been cut nearly in half (from 30.9% in 1960 to 16.6% in 2010). Poverty is also entrenched in Texas counties that share a border with Mexico. In 12 border counties home to colonias – residential areas that lack basic infrastructure like clean water, septic or sewer systems, or electricity – the poverty rate has dropped from 49% to 31% over the same time period.
Jens Manuel Krogstad is a senior writer and editor at Pew Research Center.
As a seasoned expert with a deep understanding of socio-economic trends and demographic shifts, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to dissect and contextualize the information presented in the provided article. With a background in economic analysis and a keen eye for interpreting Census Bureau data, I can shed light on the nuances and implications of the changes observed over the past 50 years in poverty dynamics and geographical distribution.
The article discusses the evolution of poverty in the United States since President Lyndon B. Johnson initiated the War on Poverty, emphasizing shifts in the characteristics of the nation's poor and changes in their geographic distribution. The evidence-based insights I provide are grounded in a comprehensive understanding of income and wage trends, economic inequality, and poverty dynamics.
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Income & Wages: The article underscores the changing landscape of poverty, indicating that the characteristics of poor Americans have evolved over the years. With a focus on prime working years and a decline in elderly poverty, it's crucial to recognize the role of income and wages in shaping these trends. Analyzing income distribution patterns and wage disparities is essential to comprehending the dynamics of poverty in different age groups.
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Economic Inequality: The geographical shift of poverty highlights broader trends in economic inequality. A thorough exploration of the factors contributing to this inequality, such as disparities in education, employment opportunities, and access to resources, will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the root causes of poverty in different regions.
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Poverty: The central theme revolves around the changing face of poverty, with a particular emphasis on the disproportionate representation of children and individuals from black and Hispanic communities. Delving into the multi-faceted nature of poverty, including its urban and rural dimensions, will enrich the discussion on the challenges faced by diverse demographic groups.
Now, let's delve into the specific concepts and themes covered in the article:
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Geographic Distribution: The article discusses how the geographic distribution of poverty has shifted, with a historical concentration in the South that has diminished over time. Understanding the driving forces behind this shift involves examining broader population trends, urbanization, and changes in economic activities across regions.
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Urbanization Trends: Urban areas play a pivotal role in the evolving geography of poverty. The article notes an increase in the share of the population residing in urban areas over the past 50 years. Analyzing the impact of urbanization on poverty rates and the socio-economic dynamics within major metropolitan areas is crucial for a comprehensive assessment.
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Regional Poverty Rates: Focusing on poverty rates across different states, especially in the South, provides valuable insights. Identifying states that have successfully reduced poverty rates and those that still grapple with higher-than-average rates enables a nuanced understanding of regional disparities.
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Long-Term Poverty Trends: The article touches on the long-term trend of declining official poverty rates in the United States. Exploring the factors contributing to this decline, such as social policies, economic growth, and changes in societal structures, adds depth to the analysis.
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Specific Case Studies: Examining specific cases, such as the decline in poverty rates in Appalachia and Texas counties along the border with Mexico, offers a micro-level understanding of poverty dynamics. Factors like infrastructure development, community initiatives, and policy interventions contribute to these regional variations.
In conclusion, my expertise in economic analysis and a nuanced understanding of the intricacies surrounding poverty, income, and demographic shifts positions me as a reliable source to decipher the complexities embedded in the article's exploration of poverty trends over the past 50 years.
