With an increase in child poverty throughout the state and a decrease in county populations, life in Alabama could be seen as weakening rather than improving.
According to VOICES for Alabama’s Children, an annual report released July 21, about 298,000 Alabama children live in poverty — a 5 percent increase from what was reported in 2008.
Those numbers equate to 27 percent of Alabama’s children living in poverty, 5 percent more than the national average, according to the 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book. In that annual report based on findings for 2013, Alabama ranked No. 45 in the overall list of child well-being.
Poverty, as defined by the Department of Health and Human Services, is an income of less than $24,250 for a family of four.
Economic well-being
In terms of a child’s economic well-being, Alabama’s stats also worsened in the following categories:
- Children whose parents lack secure employment — 34 percent in 2013 up from 30 percent in 2008
- Children living in households with a high housing cost burden — 31 percent compared to 30 percent in 2008
- Children living in high-poverty areas — 17 percent up from 13 percent in 2008
According to nonprofit Alabama Possible’s most recent report, which is compiled from the census and other agencies, every county in the state has a higher poverty rate among children than the state’s overall population. Houston County’s poverty rate, for example, at 18.1 percent is better than the state average, but its poverty rate among children, 30.1 percent, is worse than the state average.
Despite the rise in child poverty rates, the health of children in the state is improving, according to the KIDS COUNT report. In 2008 there were 40 child and teen deaths per 100,000, compared to 33 in 2013. Other health-related stats that improved in 2013 compared to 2008 are:
- Low-birthweight babies — 10 percent compared to 10.6 percent
- Children without health insurance — 4 percent compared to 8 percent (Nevada is the worst state on the list at 15 percent of children living without health insurance and Massachusetts ranks No. 1 with only 2 percent of children living without health insurance).
- Teens who abuse alcohol or drugs — 6 percent compared to 7 percent
Education is one way out of poverty, which is why Melanie Bridgeforth, executive director of VOICES for Alabama’s Children, praises the state’s expanded pre-kindergarten education program.
“When we look at what is being done to combat poverty in Alabama, pre-k is one of the most important accomplishments,” Bridgeforth told The Alabama Baptist. “It’s an example of the governor, Legislature and businesses coming together to do something right.”
Addressing conditions that keep people in poverty is essential to improving the financial outlook for poor Alabamians, especially the children in the state. There is a need for jobs, for education and for diplomas, Bridgeforth said, but there is a need for hope as well.
“Poverty is a demography not a destiny,” she said. “Growing up in poverty does not mean that one’s path is set.”
Economic well-being, health, education and other factors may play into the state’s population.
Forty of Alabama’s 67 counties saw a decrease in population in 2014 from 2010, according to the recently released U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
Macon County lost 10 percent of its residents and Coosa and Perry counties saw a 7 percent drop in population.
Census insights
Other population insights from the census include:
- Population in rural areas is rapidly declining. Counties that saw the largest increase in population were clustered around large universities, the beach and metro areas.
- Tuscaloosa and Madison counties, the most densely populated counties in the state, are growing. Jefferson and Mobile counties, which include major metro areas, grew some and only Montgomery saw a decline in population, with 1.4 percent fewer people in 2014 than in 2010.
- Jefferson County lost 8,450 residents to domestic migration since 2010 but gained about 3,200 people through international migration. This may convey that it is not an appealing area to locals but is appealing to internationals.
- Lee County saw the largest gain in population from international migration, followed by Pike, Coffee, Dale, Montgomery, Franklin, Shelby and Madison counties. (Carrie Brown McWhorter contributed)
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