More Kids Living In Poverty Nationwide, But Not In New Hampshire

The US Census Bureau released data today showing more kids living in poverty nationwide, but New Hampshire is among a small number of states that did NOT see an increase.

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Nationwide Census numbers show 22 percent of American children are now living in poverty

The Carsey Institute at the University of New Hampshire found that since 2009, a million more kids are living in poverty.  But if you look at that number proportionately, the poverty level for New Hampshire’s kids has remained steady at 10 percent.  That’s well below the national average of 22 percent.

“New Hampshire is typically rated one of the top places for children,” says Beth Mattingly, Director of Research on Vulnerable Families at the Carsey Institute. “What New Hampshire has going for it is a high standard of living, higher household incomes and generally a highly educated population.”

Mattingly’s analysis of the new Census numbers found that the highest rates of child poverty are in the state’s central urban areas, at 16 percent. The rates are lowest in the suburbs, where they’re around six percent.

Along with New Hampshire, several other states saw their child poverty rates remain the same.  Overall, New England made a good showing, with Rhode Island and Maine holding steady.  Wyoming, South Dakota, Colorado, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Delaware were among the other states that didn’t see a rise.

New England tends to have lower poverty rates overall.  But Mattingly points out that while some states did not show an increase, they still have high rates of children living in poverty,

“Maine is a very different state than New Hampshire, and even though it didn’t see an increase, its child poverty rate is already high at 18 percent.” she says.

The Carsey Institute plans to look at the new Census numbers to find out who lacks health insurance in New Hampshire and in the rest of the country.