Data: 1 in 7 children in Connecticut live in poverty

Sept. 20--NORWALK -- One in seven children in Connecticut is living below the federal poverty level, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau through the American Community Survey (ACS).

The rate, while unchanged from 2012, is significantly higher than a decade earlier, said Wade Gibson, director of fiscal policy at Connecticut Voices for Children.

"The big takeaway from this information is that the state (Connecticut) set a goal in 2004 back when child poverty was one in nine and they said they wanted to cut it in half, but now in 2014, child poverty is much higher has gone from around 10 percent to 14 percent," Gibson said. "So, we're not moving in the right direction."

Results of the ACS survey detailed 2013 estimates for poverty and median income in the nation, including Connecticut and the eight largest cities in the state: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, Stamford and Waterbury.

Gibson said Stamford showed the biggest increase in poverty at 12.4 percent in 2013 versus 7.7 percent in 2012.

"While this data is a sample and represents a very small subset of people nationwide, it still represents a pretty big range and is statistically significant and probably not due to chance," Gibson said.

Childhood poverty in major Connecticut cities ranged from 6.9 percent in Norwalk to 47.6 percent in Hartford.

Among all residents, Hispanics had the highest levels of poverty with 25.7 percent, following by African-Americans at 20 percent and White residents at 6.1 percent.

Gibson put the data into context by citing the poverty threshold of $23,834 for a family of four to the state median income of $67,098.

"Low income Connecticut families have been hardest hit by the recession," Gibson said. "We can support these families and improve outcomes for children through continued support for programs such as the state Earned Income Tax Credit."

When it comes to income data, Gibson said numbers have not posed a substantial change.

"We of course always like it when the income level goes up, but it's also good that it hasn't gone down," Gibson said. "Income levels are tough to track because it has to change a substantial amount for the survey to pick it up. We are starting to see an uptick (in income levels) but we've yet to see a substantial increase."

Ellen Shemitz, executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children said the effects of growing up in poverty are devastating.

"Research shows us that poor children often face a lifetime of diminished health, education and economic opportunities," Shemitz said.

Those same families who are struggling to survive are beginning to face less of a struggle when it comes to insurance.

Sharon Langer, advocacy director at Connecticut Voices for Children said the rate of children lacking health insurance is 4.3 percent statewide compared to 7.1 percent nationwide.

Langer attributed the rates to the state's HUSKY program.

"Connecticut's HUSKY program has been largely successful in protecting children from the effects of the recent recession and declines in employer-sponsored insurance," Langer said.

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