New Census data shows increase in low-income working families for 5th Year

A new Working Poor Families Project report finds for a fifth consecutive year the number of low-income working families has risen in the U.S., with nearly a third of all working families unable to earn enough to meet their basic needs.

New data show that 10.4 million U.S. working families were low-income in 2011, up from 10.2 million in 2010.

In North Carolina, 36% of the state’s working families were living below 200% of the federal poverty level in 2011 – struggling to cover housing costs, utilities, and child care.

The report notes that children growing up in low-income families have worse health and educational outcomes, and fewer opportunities for upward mobility.

Nationwide, the total number of people that make-up low-income working families stands at 47.5 million. That is roughly equivalent to the total number of residents in California, Oregon, and Washington combined.

The report calls on federal and state policymakers to take actions that strengthen both job growth and job quality, and increase access to educational opportunities.

To read the full report, click here.