The “Face” of Poverty in the South

Tim SlackLouisiana State University

Prepared for Turning the Tide on Poverty Workshop

A Partnership of the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC), Everyday Democracy, Farm Foundation,

and Kettering Foundation

Introduction

Conceptualizing poverty

Measuring poverty

The contours of poverty in the South

Conceptualizing Poverty

Absolute poverty: Minimum basic needs standard determined, those living below that level defined as poor

Relative poverty: Condition of comparative disadvantage in reference to standard of living of others

Conceptualizing Poverty

Levels: Individual to global

Systems: Families, schools, judicial/law enforcement, civic arena…

Basis of deprivation: Income, wealth, material hardship, social exclusion…

Measuring Poverty

Official U.S. poverty measure is absolute, income-based, and defined at the family-level

Poverty thresholds vary depending on: Family size

Ages of family members

Poverty Thresholds for 2008 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years

Measuring Poverty

Thresholds based on a “market basket of goods” Adjusted annually for inflation (CPI)

Thresholds do not adjust for… Geographic differences in cost of living

Non-cash transfer payments

Poverty in the South

South has long been the poorest region of the United States Legacy of rigid class and racial caste systems

and less industrial economy

“Pockets” of persistent regional poverty nearly all in South Central Appalachia, Black Belt, Delta, Lower

Rio Grande Valley

Poverty in the South

What does the “face” of poverty look like in the South?

Share of poor ages 24-64 by work status, 2000

South18%

31%

51%

FTFY PTPY Nonworker

Non-South15%

33%

52%

FTFY PTPY Nonworker

Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor householders by marital status, 2000

South

64%

36%

Married Unmarried

Non-South

64%

36%

Married Unmarried

Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor ages 24-64 by educational attainment, 2000

South

39%

37%

24%

< H.S. H.S. > H.S.

Non-South

33%

36%

31%

< H.S. H.S. > H.S.

Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor by race/ethnicity, 2000

South

43%

35%

19%

3%

White Black Hispanic Other

Non-South

49%

19%

25%

7%

White Black Hispanic Other

Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

Share of poor by metro/nonmetro residence, 2000 South

69%

31%

Metro Nonmetro

Non-South

82%

18%

Metro Nonmetro

Source: 2000 March Current Population Survey

In Sum

Poverty is an especially pernicious problem in the South

Product of historical and contemporary social realities

But as with all social realities change is possible given collective will and action

Poverty Thresholds for 2008 by Size of Family and Number of Related Children Under 18 Years