CHILDREN IN POVERTY
In 2000, there were 11 million related* children
under 18 years of age living in families with income
below the Federal poverty threshold (e.g., $17,603**
for a family of four). Children living below the poverty
level comprised 15.6 percent of all related children
living in families.
While 2000 brought the lowest childhood poverty rate
since 1978, childhood poverty continues to exceed
that of adults by 71 percent and the elderly by 58
percent. Poverty affects living conditions and access
to health care and nutrition, all of which contribute
to health status. Very young children and black and
Hispanic children were particularly vulnerable. Related
children under age 6 had a poverty rate of nearly
17 percent. A much higher proportion of black (30.4
percent) and Hispanic (27.3 percent) related children
under age 18 were poor compared to related white children
(12.3 percent).
Of the 11 million related children living in poverty,
55.5 percent lived in homes headed by a single mother,
38.3 percent lived in homes headed by married parents,
and 6.2 percent lived in families headed by a single
father.
 [d]
[d]
*Related children in a family include a householder's
own children and all other children in the household
who are related to the householder by blood,
marriage, or adoption.
**Based on the U.S. Census Bureau's poverty
threshold, which is calculated using the Consumer
Price Index from the previous year.
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