Children raised in impoverished environments are at higher risk for a wide variety of health and social problems, including poor performance in school. The challenges they face in childhood can diminish their chances for successful adult lives.

In 2017-21, 18% of children in the region were living in poverty, the same as the state rate and above the nation's 17%. The regional rate increased from 14% in 2000 and fell 3 points from 2012-16, less than the 4-point national decline. Child poverty was concentrated in the City of Rochester, where the rate was 46% in 2017-21, a 4-point decrease from 2012-16 but a 12-point increase from 2000. Children living in poverty in Rochester accounted for 66% of Monroe County's poor children in 2017-21, down from 78% in 2000; indicating growth in child poverty in suburban Monroe County.

Among the region's counties, child poverty was highest in Yates, 22% in 2017-21, followed by Monroe at 20% and lowest in Ontario (10%).

The multi-year figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Poverty status is not reported for people in institutions, including college dormitories and military barracks, and people in living situations without conventional housing. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter.