City And Suburban Poverty Trends, 1999-2005

A report by the Brookings Institution looks at city and suburban poverty trends over the last 6 years using American Community Survey and Census data. One finding is that since 2005 more impoverished people live in suburbs than in cities.

1 minute read

December 25, 2006, 1:00 PM PST

By Nate Berg

During the first half of the current decade, the proportion of the U.S. population living below the poverty line rose, albeit with key differences across metropolitan areas.

"In 1999 large cities and their suburbs had nearly equal numbers of poor individuals, but by 2005 the suburban poor outnumbered their city counterparts by at least 1 million."

"Poverty rates rose significantly in Midwestern and Southern metropolitan areas, but remained steady in the West and Northeast."

"Nearly half of large cities nationwide saw a significant rise in their poverty rates, versus about one-third of their suburbs."

"In cities and suburbs where overall poverty rates rose from 1999 to 2005, child poverty rates rose faster."

Thanks to Sarah Jolda

FULL STORY: Two Steps Back: City and Suburban Poverty Trends 1999-2005

Friday, December 15, 2006 in The Brookings Institution

Social / Demographics United States

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