Children represent 25 percent of the population. Yet, they comprise 36 percent of all people in poverty. Among children, 42 percent live in low-income families and nearly one in every five live in poor families. Young children under age 6 appear to be particularly vulnerable with 46 percent living in low-income and 24 percent living in poor families. Winding up in a low-income or poor family does not happen by chance. There are significant factors related to children's experiences with economic insecurity, such as race/ethnicity and parents' education and employment. This fact sheet describes the demographic, socioeconomic, and geographic characteristics of young children and their parents — highlighting the important factors that appear to distinguish low-income and poor children in this age group from their less disadvantaged counterparts

Chau, Michelle M.

Thampi, Kalyani

Wight, Vanessa

Columbia University Academic Commons

FACT  SHEE TBasic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009Children Under Age 6 Michelle Chau | Kalyani Thampi | Vanessa R. Wight October 2010Children represent 25 percent of the population. Yet, they comprise 36 percent of all people in poverty.  Among children, 42 percent live in low-income families and nearly one in every five live in poor families. Young children under age 6 appear to be particularly vulnerable with 46 percent living in low-income and 24 percent living in poor fami-lies. Winding up in a low-income or poor family does not happen by chance. There are significant factors related to children’s experiences with economic insecurity, such as race/ethnicity and parents’ education and employment. This fact sheet describes the demographic, socio-economic, and geographic characteristics of young children and their parents – highlighting the important factors that appear to distinguish low-income and poor children in this age group from their less disad-vantaged counterparts.215 W. 125th Street, 3rd FloorNew York, NY  10027-4426Ph. 646-284-9600www.nccp.orgHow many young children under age 6 in the United States live in low-income families?There are more than 25 million young children under age 6 in the United States.◆	46 percent – 11.7 million – live in low-income families.◆	24 percent – 6.1 million – live in poor families.Children under age 6 by family income, 2009Low income46%Abovelow income54%100-200% FPL22%Less than100% FPL24%2The percentage of young children living in low-income families (both poor and near poor) has been on the rise – increasing from 41 percent in 2000 to 46 percent in 2009. During this time period, the overall number of young children under age 6 increased by 10 percent while the number who were low-income and poor increased by 24 percent and 46 percent, respectively. This upward trend in low-income and poorchildren follows on the heels of a decade of decline in the 1990s.Has the percentage of young children living in low-income and poor families changed over time?What is the federal poverty level (FPL) in 2010?1◆ $22,050 for a family of four.◆ $18,310 for a family of three.◆ $14,570 for a family of two.Is a poverty-level income enough to support a family?Research suggests that, on average, families need an income equal to about two times the federal poverty level to meet their most basic needs.2 Families with incomes below this level are referred to as low income:◆ $44,100 for a family of four.◆ $36,620 for a family of three.◆ $29,140 for a family of two.These dollar amounts approximate the average minimum income families need to make ends meet, but actual expenses vary greatly by locality. For a family of four, the cost of basic family expenses is about $37,000 per year in El Paso, TX, $42,000 in Spokane, WA, $45,000 in Detroit, MI, and $49,000 in Buffalo, NY.3Percentage change of children under age 6 living in low-income and poor families, 2000–2009 2000 2009 Percent changeLow income 9,441,211 11,699,856 24%Poor 4,206,196   6,138,367 46%051015202530354045'09'08'07'06'05'04'03'02'01'00Percent (%)Children under age 6 living in low-income and poor families, 2000–200924%46%18%41%Near Poor 100–200% FPLPoor Less than 100% FPLNational Center for Children in Poverty Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Under Age 6   3How do young children compare to the rest of the population?The percentage of young children in low-income families surpasses that of adults. In addition, chil-dren under age 6 are more than twice as likely as adults aged 65 and older to live in poor families.Does the percentage of children in low-income families vary by children’s age?The overall percentages of chil-dren living in low-income and poor families masks important variation by age.  Although children under age 6 represent 34 percent of the population under age 18, they are disproportion-ately low income.  ◆	46 percent of children under age 6 – 11.7 million – live in low-income families.◆	40 percent of children ages 6 through 17 years – 19.6 million – live in low-income families.Family income by age, 2009Above low incomeNear poorPoor0 20 40 60 80 100Low income  42%Low income  29%Low income  34%Age 65+Age18–64Less thanage 18Less thanage 654%24% 22%58%21% 21%71%13% 16%66%9% 25%Low income  46%01020304050Age 6–17Under 6Percent (%)Children living in low-income and poor families by age, 2009PoorLow income40%19.6 million46%11.7 million19%9.2 million24%6.1 million01020304050PoorLow incomeAge 6–17Under 64Does the percentage of young children in low-income families vary by race/ethnicity?4Black, American Indian, and Hispanic children under age 6 are disproportionately low income, with children of Hispanic origin comprising the largest group of low-income and poor young children.◆	32 percent of white children under age 6 – 4.2 million –  live in low-income families.◆	66 percent of black children under age 6 – 2.3 million –  live in low-income families.◆	31 percent of Asian children under age 6 – 0.4 million –  live in low-income families.◆	73 percent of American Indian children under age 6 – 0.1 million – live in low-income families. ◆	53 percent of children under age 6 of some other race – 0.5 million – live in low-income families.◆	65 percent of Hispanic children under age 6 – 4.2 million –  live in low-income families.Does the percentage of young children in low-income families vary by parents’ country of origin?5◆	65 percent of children under age 6 with immigrant parents – 3.1 million – live in low-income families.◆	43 percent of children under age 6 with native-born parents – 8.1 million – live in low-income families.Percent (%)Race/ethnicity among children under age 6 by family income, 20091%1%1%020406080100HispanicOtherAmerican IndianAsianBlackWhitePoorLow incomeTotal37%36%26%31%36%52%23%20%14%3%3%5%4%4%4%Percent (%)Percentage of children under age 6 in low-income and poor families by race/ethnicity, 2009PoorLow income0255075HispanicOtherAmericanIndianAsianBlackWhite0255075PoorLow incomeHispanicOtherAmerican IndianAsianBlackWhite53%65%73%31%66%32%29%35%47%15%41%15%National Center for Children in Poverty Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Under Age 6   5Parents’ Education6Higher levels of parents’ educa-tion decrease the likelihood that  a child will live in a low-income or poor family. Yet, well over one-third of low-income and over 30 percent of poor young children have a parent with at least some college.◆	88 percent of children under age 6 with parents who have less than a high school degree – 2.9 million – live in low-income families.◆	68 percent of children under age 6 with parents who have no more than a high school degree – 4 million – live in low-income families.◆	30 percent of children under age 6 with at least one parent who has some college or more education – 4.8 million – live in low-income families.Parents’ Employment7Although young children with a full-time, year-round employed parent comprise 43 percent of the low-income population, they are less likely to be living in a low-income family compared to young children with parents who work part-time/part-year or who are not employed.◆	30 percent of children under age 6 with at least one parent who works full-time, year-round – 5 million – live in low-income families.◆	74 percent of children under age 6 with at least one parent who works part-time or part-year – 4 million – live in low-income families.◆	89 percent of children under age 6 with no employed parents – 2.7 million – live in low-income families.Family StructureForty-nine percent of young children in low-income families – 6 million – and 37 percent of young children in poor families – 2.3 million – live with married parents.◆	33 percent of children under age 6 with married parents –  5.7 million – live in low-income families.◆	73 percent of children under age 6 with a single parent –  6 million – live in low-income families.What are the family characteristics of low-income young children?Percent (%)Parents’ education among children under age 6 by family income, 2009020406080100PoorLow income33%25%36%34%31%41%Some collegeor moreHigh school degreeLess than high school degree020406080100Some college or moreHigh schoolLess than high schoolPoorLow incomePercent (%)Children under age 6 living in low-income and poor families by parents’ employment and education, 2009PoorLow income020406080100Somecollegeor moreHighschooldegreeLess thanhigh schooldegreeNotemployedPart-timeorpart-yearFull-time,year-round30%9%74%45%89%74%88%60%68%38%30%12%020406080100PoorLow incomeSome college or moreHigh school degreeLess than high school degreeNot employedPart-time or part-yearFull-time, year-round6Does the percentage of young children in low-income families vary by where they live?Region◆	49 percent of children under age 6 in the South – 4.8 million – live in low-income families.◆	46 percent of children under age 6 in the West – 2.9 million – live in low-income families.◆	39 percent of children under age 6 in the Northeast – 1.5 million – live in low-income families.◆	47 percent of children under age 6 in the Midwest – 2.4 million – live in low-income families.Type of Area◆	53 percent of children under age 6 in urban areas – 4.1 million – live in low-income families.◆	38 percent of children under age 6 in suburban areas – 4 million – live in low-income families.◆	54 percent of children under age 6 in rural areas – two million – live in low-income families.Residential Instability and Home OwnershipResearch suggests that stable housing is important for healthy child development.8 Yet, relative to children under age 6 living in above low-income families, young children living in low-income families were nearly twice as likely to have moved in the past year and more than two times less likely to live in families that own a home.◆	21 percent of children under age 6 in low-income families – 2.4 million – moved in the last year.◆	11 percent of children under age 6 in above low-income families – 1.5 million – moved in the last year.◆	32 percent of children under age 6 in low-income families – 3.8 million – live with a family that owns a home.◆	77 percent of children under age 6 in above low-income families – 10.5 million – live with a family that owns a home.DCPercentage of children under age 6 living in low-income families by region, 2009South49% Northeast39%West46%Midwest47%020406080100Own housingMoved in the last yearAbove low incomeLow incomePercent (%)Residential instability and home ownership among children under age 6 by family income, 2009Own housingMoved in the last year32%21%77%11%Are young children in low-income families covered by health insurance?9Among all young children under age 6, approximately 14 percent in low-income families and 14 percent in poor families are uninsured. Consistent with research suggesting older children in general are particularly at risk of being uninsured, low-income and poor children under age 6 are less likely to be without health insurance coverage compared to older children in low-income and poor families.10 Medicaid covers the largest share with more than one-half (59 percent) in low-income families and more than two-thirds (71 percent) in poor families reporting coverage by this public insurance program.◆	14 percent of children under age 6 living in low-income families – 1.6 million – are uninsured.◆	26 percent of children under age 6 living in low-income families – 3 million – are covered by private insurance.◆	59 percent of children under age 6 living in low-income families – 6.9 million – are covered by Medicaid.◆	25 percent of children under age 6 living in low-income families – 2.9 million – are covered by their state’s Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP).Percent (%)Percentage of children uninsured in low-income and poor families by age, 2009PoorLow income05101520PoorLow incomeAge 6–17Under 617%14%18%14%Percent (%)Type of health insurance coverage among children under age 6 by family income, 2009MedicaidPrivate0255075CHIPMedicaidPrivatePoorLow incomeCHIP59%26% 25%71%14%26%8EndnotesThis fact sheet is part of the National Center for Children in Poverty’s demographic fact sheet series and is updated annually. Unless otherwise noted, analysis of the U.S. Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement, March 2010, was conducted by Michelle Chau, Kalyani Thampi, and Vanessa R. Wight of NCCP. Yumiko Aratani provided feedback that contributed to the analysis. Estimates include children living in households with at least one parent and most children living apart from both parents (for example, children being raised by grandparents). Children living independently, living with a spouse, or in group quarters are excluded from these data. Children ages 14 and under living with only unrelated adults were not included because data on their income status were not available. Among children who do not live with at least one parent, parental characteristics are those of the householder and/or the householder’s spouse. Special thanks to Morris Ardoin, Amy Palmisano, and Telly Valdellon.1. These numbers are from the federal poverty guidelines issued annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The demographic findings in this fact sheet were calculated using more complex versions of the federal poverty measure – the thresholds issued by the U.S. Census Bureau. Please see http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/poverty/data/threshld/index.html for the 2009 poverty thresholds.  For more infor-mation on measuring poverty and the differences between the federal poverty guidelines and the thresholds, see the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.2. Cauthen, Nancy K.; Fass, Sarah. 2008. Measuring Income and Poverty in the United States. New York, NY: National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health.3. These figures were derived from NCCP’s Basic Needs Budget Calculator. 4. In the most recent CPS, parents could report children’s race as one or more of the following: “White,” “Black,” “American Indian or Alaskan Native,” or “Asian and/or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.”  In a separate question, parents could report whether their children were of Hispanic origin. For the data reported, children whose parent reported their race as White, Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or Asian and/or Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and their ethnicity as non-Hispanic are assigned their respective race. Children who were reported to be of more than one race were assigned as Other. Children whose parent identified them as Hispanic were categorized as Hispanic, regardless of their reported race.5. Children under age 6 living in house-holds with one immigrant parent and one native-born parent (approximately 1.6 million) are not included in these estimates.  6. Parent’s education is the education level of the most highly educated parent living in the household. Parents can either have no high school degree; a high school degree, but no college; or some college or more.7. Parent’s employment is the employ-ment level of the parent in the household who maintained the highest level of employment in the previous year.  Par-ents can either have no employment in the previous year, part-year or part-time employment, or full- time, year-round employment. Part-year or part-time em-ployment is defined as either working less than 50 weeks in the previous year or less than 35 hours per week. Full-time, year-round employment is defined as working at least 50 weeks in the previous year and 35 hours or more per week for more than half the year.8. Aratani, Yumiko. 2009. Homeless Chil-dren and Youth. New York, NY: National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health.9. People can report more than one type of insurance coverage. Children not covered by private health insurance, Medicaid, CHIP, or Military insurance at any time during 2009 are considered uninsured.10. Schwarz, Susan Wile. 2009. Adolescent Mental Health in the United States. New York, NY: National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health.For comparable information about all children, see Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Under Age 18, or about infants and toddlers, see Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Under Age 3, or about young children, see Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Aged 6 through 11, or about adolescent children, see Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Aged 12 through 17.

Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Under Age 6

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Basic Facts About Low-income Children, 2009: Children Under Age 6

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