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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