Consider This:

• In 2004, 12.7 percent of all persons lived in poverty.
  
• In 1993 the poverty rate was 15.1 percent.
  
• Between 1993 and 2000, the poverty rate fell each year, reaching 11.3 percent in 2000.
• Poverty has risen in each of the last four years.
• Poverty rates for blacks and Hispanics greatly exceed the national average. In 2004, 24.7 percent of blacks and 21.9 percent of Hispanics were poor, compared to 8.6 percent of non-Hispanic whites and 9.8 percent of Asians.
  
• Poverty rates are highest for families headed by single women, particularly if they are black or Hispanic. In 2004, 28.4 percent of households headed by single women were poor, while 13.5 percent of households headed by single men and 5.5 percent of married-couple households lived in poverty. In 2004, both black and Hispanic female-headed households had poverty rates just under 40 percent.
• There are also differences between native-born and foreign-born residents. In 2004, 17.1 percent of foreign-born residents lived in poverty, compared to 11.8 percent of residents born in the United States. Foreign-born, non-citizens had an even higher incidence of poverty, at a rate of 21.7 percent. In total, the foreign-born poor account for about a sixth of all poor persons.
• Children represent a disproportionate share of the poor in the United States; they are 25 percent of the total population, but 35 percent of the poor population. In 2004, 13 million children, or 17.8 percent, were poor. The poverty rate for children also varies substantially by race and Hispanic origin

* Now that you know, what can you do? *

• Get involved in advocating for clients on the state and federal level.
• Sign the Call to Action.
• Visit our partner website SWEEP and get more information.
• Bookmark this blog and be a part of our movement. This will allow you to talk with other people and do some networking.
• Write letters to people on the local, state, and federal level.

Remember: Action is the key to changing or eradicating any problem.

This fact sheet is presented to you by Social Workers to Eradicate Poverty. All information was obtained from The National Poverty Center.