Arizona Indicators

One in Five Arizona Kids in Poverty

With 1 in 5 children living in poverty, the opportunities for success can be negatively impacted. In 2009, a family of four earning less than approximately $22,000 annually was considered in poverty.

Replicated research has demonstrated that children who grow up in poverty are at higher risk. Arizona has not been able to move the needle on this indicator, with 20 percent of children living in poverty over the last five years. As the recession continues, more families are likely to be impacted and it is possible we will see this number increase.

All citizens and legislative leaders would agree for the more than 25% of our population that is under the age of 18, a healthy, safe environment to grow up in with opportunity to achieve and sustain a high quality life and become tomorrow’s leaders is critical to a thriving Arizona.

Why is it necessary to track individual indicators related to children and families as an indicator of the health and wealth of our state? Because, if national trends continue, Generation Y, today’s teenagers, may become the first generation in U.S. history to be less educated than the one before. At the same time, Arizona teens will be entering key workforce and leadership positions just as the state’s population of retirees expands rapidly. Arizona’s future competitiveness depends on how well children are prepared to succeed in a world of competition and innovation. Arizona children need to be safe, healthy, and educated to venture out as successful young adults.