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 2015-19, 19% of children in the region were living in poverty, comparable to the state rate of 20% and equal to the national rate. The regional rate increased from 14% in 2000 and is slightly lower from 2010-14 levels. Child poverty increased more in our region than in the state (unchanged since 2000) and nation (up 2 points). Child poverty was concentrated in the City of Rochester, where the rate was 48% in 2015-19, a 5-point decrease from 2010-14 and a 10-point increase from 2000. Children living in poverty in Rochester accounted for 68% of Monroe County's poor children in 2015-19, down from 78% in 2000; this indicates that there has been a considerable growth of children in poverty in suburban Monroe County.

Among the region's counties, child poverty was highest in Monroe followed by Orleans at 20% in 2015-19, up from 16% in 2000. All other local counties had child poverty levels under the state level in 2015-19, except Monroe and Orleans. Child poverty rates increased from 2000 through 2015-19 in every county except Seneca and Yates, with the largest increase of 6 points in Genesee.

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.