Poverty Rates in Ohio
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Poverty Rates in Ohio
With a poverty rate of 11.7%, Ohio has the 24th highest poverty rate in the United States. This is just slightly better than the poverty rates of Florida and Illinois, but just slightly higher than the poverty rates of Rhode Island and Washington. Where the Worst Poverty in Ohio Occurs The worst poverty in Ohio occurs primarily in its major cities (25,000 people or more). In fact, there are 13 major cities in Ohio that have critical poverty rates (at least 50% above the state average). These major cities in Ohio with critical poverty rates are the following: Akron (17.5%) Bowling Green (25.3%) Canton (19.2%) Cincinnati (21.9%) Cleveland (26.3%) Dayton (23.0%) East Cleveland (32.0%) Kent (25.2%)
Lima (22.7%) Toledo (17.9%) Warren (19.4%) Youngstown (24.8%) Zanesville (22.4%) However, it is important to remember that there are many major cities in Ohio with uncommonly low poverty rates as well, while the poverty rates of Ohio counties remain relatively close to the state average. This is a common trait of highly urbanized states, and it shows that the poor in urban areas of Ohio are isolated into large sections of some cities, but theses cities are not geographically grouped in any particular section of the state. However, critical poverty rates do still occur in a small number of counties (see map below article), and they are the following: Athens (20.2%) Meigs (18.1%) Scioto (18.9%) Why the Worst Poverty in Ohio Exists Because the poverty in Ohio is located primarily in its major cities, this means that poverty in Ohio is linked to the market. Unlike in poor rural areas, the poor people in Ohio rely on the market for all of life's essentials. This includes things like food, shelter, utilities, health care, education, and other basic needs. What isn't always thought about is that most of America's poorest people work. The poor people in Ohio's urban areas simply do not make enough money to pay what the market charges them for basic goods and services essential to life. Low wages, part-time positions with scattered hours, and high competition for entry level jobs in major cities are all problems that Ohio's poor are faced with today. With no ability to save up assets due to costs constantly outweighing earnings, it is almost impossible for people to climb out of poverty or to even pave the way to better lives for their children. Many of these poverty problems could be solved through urban planning techniques and policies, which are the focus of this blog.
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone. What is Being Done about Poverty in Ohio Due to the fact that most of the poorest people in Ohio live in highly populated major cities, it is fortunately much easier for charitable and outreach organizations to reach them then it is to reach the poor in rural areas. Some of these charitable and outreach organizations include the Boys and Girls Club, Poverty USA, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, Red Cross, United Way, Second Harvest, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and a host of others. Other important allies to working-class people in Ohio are legislators who worked to raise the minimum wage. A higher minimum wage will mean more people will be able to sustain themselves and their families without federal assistance. References: United States Census Bureau
With a poverty rate of 11.7%, Ohio has the 24th highest poverty rate in the United States. This is just slightly better than the poverty rates of Florida and Illinois, but just slightly higher than the poverty rates of Rhode Island and Washington. Where the Worst Poverty in Ohio Occurs The worst poverty in Ohio occurs primarily in its major cities (25,000 people or more). In fact, there are 13 major cities in Ohio that have critical poverty rates (at least 50% above the state average). These major cities in Ohio with critical poverty rates are the following: Akron (17.5%) Bowling Green (25.3%) Canton (19.2%) Cincinnati (21.9%) Cleveland (26.3%) Dayton (23.0%) East Cleveland (32.0%) Kent (25.2%)
Lima (22.7%) Toledo (17.9%) Warren (19.4%) Youngstown (24.8%) Zanesville (22.4%) However, it is important to remember that there are many major cities in Ohio with uncommonly low poverty rates as well, while the poverty rates of Ohio counties remain relatively close to the state average. This is a common trait of highly urbanized states, and it shows that the poor in urban areas of Ohio are isolated into large sections of some cities, but theses cities are not geographically grouped in any particular section of the state. However, critical poverty rates do still occur in a small number of counties (see map below article), and they are the following: Athens (20.2%) Meigs (18.1%) Scioto (18.9%) Why the Worst Poverty in Ohio Exists Because the poverty in Ohio is located primarily in its major cities, this means that poverty in Ohio is linked to the market. Unlike in poor rural areas, the poor people in Ohio rely on the market for all of life's essentials. This includes things like food, shelter, utilities, health care, education, and other basic needs. What isn't always thought about is that most of America's poorest people work. The poor people in Ohio's urban areas simply do not make enough money to pay what the market charges them for basic goods and services essential to life. Low wages, part-time positions with scattered hours, and high competition for entry level jobs in major cities are all problems that Ohio's poor are faced with today. With no ability to save up assets due to costs constantly outweighing earnings, it is almost impossible for people to climb out of poverty or to even pave the way to better lives for their children. Many of these poverty problems could be solved through urban planning techniques and policies, which are the focus of this blog.
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone. What is Being Done about Poverty in Ohio Due to the fact that most of the poorest people in Ohio live in highly populated major cities, it is fortunately much easier for charitable and outreach organizations to reach them then it is to reach the poor in rural areas. Some of these charitable and outreach organizations include the Boys and Girls Club, Poverty USA, Habitat for Humanity, Save the Children, Red Cross, United Way, Second Harvest, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and a host of others. Other important allies to working-class people in Ohio are legislators who worked to raise the minimum wage. A higher minimum wage will mean more people will be able to sustain themselves and their families without federal assistance. References: United States Census Bureau
