Children & Youth
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What does this measure?

The number of children under 18 living below the federally defined poverty line, expressed as a percentage of all children under 18 and reported by various racial and ethnic groups. Poverty thresholds vary by family composition and year. In 2021, the threshold for a four-person family with two children was $27,479.

Why is this important?

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.

How is our region performing?

In 2017-21, 11% of white and 17% of Asian children in the region were living in poverty. By contrast, 34% of Hispanic children and 45% of African American children in the region were living in poverty. While the region's Asian and white children had fairly similar rates of poverty as their statewide and national counterparts, the percentage of African American children in poverty within the region was substantially higher than among those groups in New York State or the nation as a whole. The child poverty rate increased among African American (up 6 points) and white (up 2 points) children from 2000 through 2017-21 but decreased by 5 points for Asian children and 6 points for Hispanic children. In the City of Rochester, 47% of Hispanic and 52% of African American children were living in poverty.

Among African American and Hispanic children, poverty was concentrated in the City of Rochester in 2017-21, with 82% of the region's African American children who are in poverty living in the City, and 61% of Hispanic children. By contrast, white child poverty was more dispersed, with just 21% of poor children who are white living in the City.

Why do these disparities exist?

As people of color have historically and contemporaneously been locked out of economic opportunity in many ways, poverty crosses generations, and child poverty rates are higher. Factors include: living in a single-parent household, especially if the single parent is female; having parent(s) who are unemployed, employed and/or underemployed in low-wage jobs or incarcerated; and living in communities that have experienced disinvestment and have ineffective and/or under-resourced schools.

Notes about the data

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. However, because the information came from a survey, the samples responding to the survey were not always large enough to produce reliable results, especially in small geographic areas. CGR has noted on data tables the estimates with relatively large margins of error. Estimates with three asterisks have the largest margins, plus or minus 50% or more of the estimate. Two asterisks mean plus or minus 35%-50%, and one asterisk means plus or minus 20%-35%. For all estimates, the confidence level is 90%, meaning there is 90% probability the true value (if the whole population were surveyed) would be within the margin of error (or confidence interval).

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.

Children Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS17%28%26%13%
NYS (excluding NYC)13%29%20%12%
Region17%**45%34%11%
Monroe18%*46%35%11%
Surrounding Counties6%***22%***31%12%
Genesee12%***28%***30%**9%*
Livingston0%***34%***42%*13%
Ontario2%***0%***30%*9%
Orleans0%***25%***47%**18%
Seneca35%***12%***0%***11%*
Wayne12%***28%***17%**13%
Wyoming0%***63%***50%***11%
Yates0%***100%***68%***20%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester29%***52%47%36%
Brighton0%***33%***8%***5%***
Chili0%***13%***10%***6%**
ClarksonN/A***0%***0%***11%***
East RochesterN/A***0%***0%***4%***
Gates26%***0%***30%***12%**
Greece8%***55%*23%**12%*
HamlinN/A***N/A***0%***9%***
Henrietta20%***17%***14%***5%***
Irondequoit92%***29%***31%***7%**
Mendon0%***0%***40%***8%***
OgdenN/A***0%***67%***11%***
Parma0%***50%***16%***3%***
Penfield0%***3%***26%***3%**
Perinton6%***0%***3%***6%**
Pittsford0%***0%***0%***1%***
Riga0%***0%***0%***13%***
RushN/A***N/A***N/A***0%***
Sweden100%***0%***5%***14%***
Webster49%***20%***1%***2%***
WheatlandN/A***83%***53%***23%***
Brockport (V)100%***N/A***6%***10%***
Churchville (V)0%***0%***0%***8%***
Fairport (V)N/A***N/A***0%***23%***
Hilton (V)N/A***66%***50%***6%***
Honeoye Falls (V)N/A***N/A***N/A***16%***
Pittsford (V)N/A***N/A***0%***0%***
Scottsville (V)N/A***100%***60%***25%***
Spencerport (V)N/A***N/A***N/A***2%***
Webster (V)N/A***100%***0%***1%***
Regional Cities
BataviaN/A***27%***39%**15%**
Canandaigua0%***N/A***15%***5%***
Geneva0%***0%***45%**17%**

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.




Number of Children Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS56,232186,451262,087305,835
NYS (excluding NYC)14,40866,72079,925190,403
Region1,224**14,8659,92919,844
Monroe1,168*14,5188,03510,183
Surrounding Counties56***347***1,8949,661
Genesee13***40***225**915*
Livingston0***43***295*1,295
Ontario7***0***564*1,699
Orleans0***57***307**1,149
Seneca8***19***0***682*
Wayne28***93***249**2,185
Wyoming0***89***134***737
Yates0***6***120***999
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester438***12,1696,0084,153
Brighton0***94***40***264***
Chili0***134***40***236**
Clarkson0***0***0***108***
East Rochester0***0***0***33***
Gates41***0***111***452**
Greece55***1,447*569**1,734*
Hamlin0***0***0***150***
Henrietta154***152***91***261***
Irondequoit228***308***515***470**
Mendon0***0***46***148***
Ogden0***0***334***454***
Parma0***61***58***116***
Penfield0***5***124***225**
Perinton23***0***32***505**
Pittsford0***0***0***70***
Riga0***0***0***153***
Rush0***0***0***0***
Sweden16***0***7***274***
Webster213***76***4***148***
Wheatland0***72***56***229***
Brockport (V)16***0***7***64***
Churchville (V)0***0***0***28***
Fairport (V)0***0***0***204***
Hilton (V)0***61***58***84***
Honeoye Falls (V)0***0***0***79***
Pittsford (V)0***0***0***0***
Scottsville (V)0***72***56***106***
Spencerport (V)0***0***0***11***
Webster (V)0***76***0***6***
Regional Cities
Batavia0***26***161**303**
Canandaigua0***0***31***82***
Geneva0***0***310**199**

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.




Children Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2000
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS20%33%36%13%
NYS (excluding NYC)8%31%24%10%
Region12%39%40%9%
Monroe12%39%41%7%
Surrounding Counties12%42%33%11%
Genesee0%39%43%8%
Livingston34%13%28%9%
Ontario4%41%32%8%
Orleans10%49%49%13%
Seneca24%53%26%14%
Wayne5%40%26%10%
Wyoming0%39%19%12%
Yates38%44%38%22%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester25%43%49%25%
Brighton12%10%42%3%
Chili25%1%15%4%
Clarkson32%13%17%4%
East Rochester100%0%13%11%
Gates12%11%8%5%
Greece13%32%12%5%
Hamlin0%0%0%6%
Henrietta19%8%29%5%
Irondequoit4%21%32%5%
Mendon0%0%0%3%
Ogden0%0%0%3%
Parma100%0%0%5%
Penfield2%0%14%4%
Perinton1%5%6%3%
Pittsford3%0%0%3%
Riga0%0%0%2%
Rush0%N/AN/A1%
Sweden0%4%36%6%
Webster5%15%21%3%
Wheatland0%47%0%4%
Brockport (V)0%7%55%5%
Churchville (V)0%0%0%3%
Fairport (V)0%0%0%3%
Hilton (V)100%0%0%2%
Honeoye Falls (V)0%0%0%2%
Pittsford (V)0%N/AN/A6%
Scottsville (V)0%0%0%2%
Spencerport (V)0%N/AN/A0%
Webster (V)0%20%77%8%
Regional Cities
Batavia0%47%64%14%
Canandaigua21%0%55%8%
Geneva0%47%51%16%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.




Number of Children Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2000
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS45,952281,550308,765357,773
NYS (excluding NYC)5,54079,90952,968210,731
Region66215,0577,26720,482
Monroe56713,9896,2498,992
Surrounding Counties951,0681,01811,490
Genesee01411091,207
Livingston457871,276
Ontario122353021,755
Orleans42332171,382
Seneca1863381,060
Wayne83682242,274
Wyoming07261,213
Yates814151,323
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester24513,3305,5814,264
Brighton7428111186
Chili23530218
Clarkson79763
East Rochester7010164
Gates345716283
Greece403131031,137
Hamlin000177
Henrietta665782303
Irondequoit8120171508
Mendon00078
Ogden000127
Parma2500193
Penfield6026287
Perinton7716335
Pittsford1300186
Riga00035
Rush0004
Sweden0549146
Webster122347251
Wheatland035047
Brockport (V)052851
Churchville (V)00016
Fairport (V)00040
Hilton (V)250031
Honeoye Falls (V)00014
Pittsford (V)00018
Scottsville (V)00010
Spencerport (V)0000
Webster (V)0182485
Regional Cities
Batavia010471463
Canandaigua12017187
Geneva0193257354

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.







Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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