Poverty rising in state

New Census data indicate that poverty in Washington state has increased substantially during the recession, with an especially disturbing rise in poverty among children, and with catastrophic poverty rates in the African American, Native American and Latino communities.

The state’s overall poverty rate rose from 11.4% in 2007 to 12.3% in 2009. Among the state’s children, the poverty rate grew from 14.5% to 15.8%.
The Census also reported 2009 poverty rates of 24.8% among Latinos, 24.4% among Native Americans, and 24.3% among African Americans.

The median annual income in the state fell by nearly $1,000, and food stamp usage (now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP) rose by 51% between 2007 and 2009.

In the nation as a whole, 43.6 million people – one in every seven Americans – were in poverty in 2009, up from 39.8 million in 2007. It was the largest increase in nearly three decades. Everywhere, communities of color continue to be hit hardest.
Even with the mitigating effect of Social Security, poverty among older Americans is about 9%. The poverty rate among children in Washington State is now at 15.8%, 10% above the rate a year ago.