Big Jump in Number of Michigan Kids in Poverty: Kids Count

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LANSING, MI – The number of Michigan children living in poverty saw a 23 percent spike from 2006 to 2014, with increases reported in all but three of the state’s 83 counties, according to a new Kids Count study released Monday.

Statewide, all three measures of economic security worsened significantly over the trend period (2006-2014), including a 23 percent increase in the rate of child poverty. The rate of child abuse and neglect also rose, up 29 percent statewide, with a rate of 14.7 per 1,000 kids for 2014.

Under federal guidelines, a family of four with an annual income of $24,300 lives in poverty.

In terms of overall well-being, children are best off in Livingston, Ottawa, Clinton, Oakland and Washtenew counties, respectively. Macomb County ranked 17th on the well-being list, Wayne County ranked 66th and Genesee County ranked 75th.

Livingston County

Livingston County ranked first in terms of overall child well-being, but 8.1 percent of its children — a 42 percent increase from nine years ago — lived in poverty. Still, the state ranked first in child poverty as well. The rate of child abuse and neglect was 8.6 per 1,000 kids.

Oakland County

In Oakland County, 12.4 percent of children lived in poverty in 2014, a 48 percent increase from nine years ago. Oakland County ranked fourth in the state in child poverty, and the rate of child abuse and neglect was 5.9 per 1,000 kids.

Washtenaw County

In Washtenaw County, 14 percent of children lived in poverty in 2014, a 20 percent increase from nine years ago. The county ranked sixth in child poverty, and the rate of child abuse and neglect was 9.7 per 1,000 kids.

Macomb County

In Macomb County, 18.3 percent of children lived in poverty in 2014, a 74 percent increase from nine years ago, ranking 16th among the counties. The rate of child abuse and neglect was 7.8 per 1,000 kids.

Wayne County

In Wayne County, childhood poverty increased 27 percent from nine years ago. Overall, Wayne County ranked 66th for child well-being. In child poverty, Wayne County ranked 80th among the counties, and the rate of child abuse and neglect was 11.7 per 1,000 kids.

Genesee County

In Genesee County, 33.2 percent of children lived in poverty in 2014, a 31 percent increase from nine years ago. For child poverty, Genesee County ranked 78th among the counties, and the rate of child abuse and neglect was 20.1 per 1,000 kids.

“Low income kids are still struggling, and the repercussions touch every part of their lives,”Gilda Z. Jacobs, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, said in a statement. “The Flint water crisis and the horrendous conditions in Detroit Public Schools show just how low a priority protecting kids has become. Lawmakers have a responsibility to protect Michigan kids, and with this book, we provide the information and recommendations for how they can do that.”

Some of the Kids Count in Michigan Data Book’s key recommendations to policymakers on supporting parents and improving child well-being are:

• Invest in communities to create safe neighborhoods, clean air and water, quality schools and adequate police and fire services;
• Strengthen policies that support work, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, earned paid sick leave and workforce development opportunities;
• Promote comprehensive strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect, including providing mental health and substance abuse services for parents;
• Ensure access to affordable, quality child care; and
• Adequately fund public schools, targeting resources in high-need areas and providing early interventions and services.