Children Under Age 18 Living in Households with Incomes Below 100 Percent of Poverty Level, by Race/Ethnicity:* 1976–2005
This line graph demonstrates the trend in poverty among children by race and ethnicity from 1976 to 2005. The percentage of children living in households below 100 percent of the poverty level generally increased between 1976 and 1992 among all races and ethnicities, then decreased through 2005 when 17.6 percent of all children were living in poverty. Historically, Black and Hispanic children have been much more likely to live below poverty than non-Hispanic White youth. Nearly 50 percent of Black children lived below poverty in 1992, but this has steadily decreased to 34.5 percent in 2005. Hispanic children also saw a significant drop in poverty in recent years to 28.3 percent of children in 2005. Comparatively, the percentage of non-Hispanic White children living in poverty has fluctuated over the years, but not changed significantly since 1976; in 2005, only 10.0 percent of non-Hispanic White children lived in poverty. Rates in 2005 were:
*The Current Population Survey currently allows respondents to choose more than one race; however, prior to 2002, only one race was reported. Figures reported here are for respondents who chose one race. Hispanics may be of any race. Data not reported for American Indian/Alaska Natives or Asian/Pacific Islanders or children of multiple races.↑
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplements. Poverty and Health Statistics Branch/HHES Division. Historical Poverty Tables [Table 3]. http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/histpov/perindex.html, accessed 9/20/07.
