NC poverty increase sparks worries about future, WBTV 3 News (09.29.2011)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – The latest figures on poverty in North Carolina have experts warning about serious long-term consequences if changes aren’t made.
Census data released this week shows that one in four North Carolina children were living in poverty last year. That’s up from just over 19% in 2007.
The Census figures show that roughly 1.6 million residents of the state were living in poverty. The federal poverty level is an income of around $22,000 for a family of 4.
The president of Action for Children North Carolina, Barb Bradley, says poverty can affect everything in a child’s life from academic performance to future earning potential.
Alexandra Forter Sirota of the Budget and Tax Center says the numbers aren’t likely to improve until the unemployment rate drops.