poverty in dc

The Facts

19.2% or nearly 110,000 District residents live in poverty.

1 in 3 children in DC live in poverty.

1 in 5 workers in DC has a job that won’t lift a family of four out of poverty.

34% of those living east of the river, in Wards 7 and 8, live in poverty.

According to data released from the US Census Bureau, 19.2% or nearly 110,000 District residents live below the poverty line, or an income below $22,314 for a family of four, in 2010. Since 2007, poverty has been on a steady climb here in DC, with an additional 17,500 DC residents falling into poverty.

The data show huge jumps in poverty among children, single-parent female headed households and Black DC residents since the start of the economic recession. In 2010, one in three kids, two in five single parent female households, and one in four black residents lived in poverty.

Looking ahead, leading indicators for poverty changes — like food stamp participation and employment — show that more people are struggling. In the first half of 2011, food stamp participation in the District was up by 13 percent when compared to 2010, and employment levels have been steadily falling since early 2011.

Poverty Impacts Us All.