Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Los Angeles poverty rate greater than California, nation
Listen
• 1:08
New U.S. Census data show the poverty rate in Los Angeles County is 17.8 percent. That is higher than rates in the rest of California or the nation.
(
David McNew/Getty Images
)
New estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau show that poverty is greater in Los Angeles County than in the state or country as a whole, with 18 percent of individuals falling below the poverty line.
The new five-year estimates from the American Community Survey show a quarter of all children in Los Angeles County live in poverty. Of those residents who were born in another country, 20 percent live in poverty.
"It’s not like this is new," said Christopher Thornberg with Beacon Economics.
"This is an ongoing situation. As to why, well it’s because of the fact that we are home to many low-skill immigrants, many who are undocumented, people who are, if you will, living on the economic margins of society."
Support for LAist comes from
The county's poverty rate is greater than the state, which is at 16 percent, and the nation, at 15 percent.
L.A. City Councilman Curren Price represents one of the poorest area of the city. He believes there are a variety of factors that contribute to the poverty rate in Los Angeles County.
"The housing stock is inadequate. The job creation, job development is not there. People are working for sub-minimum wages so the income disparity is something that’s also been identified as a real impediment for development in Los Angeles," Price said.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist