Poverty Rates in Indiana
People in Major Cities Feel the Pain of a Failing Economy
The poverty rate in Indiana is 11.1%. This makes it the 30th highest poverty rate in the United States – tied with both Kansas and Nevada.
This is slightly better than the poverty rate of Pennsylvania, and slightly worse than the poverty rate of Wisconsin.
Where the Worst Poverty in Indiana Occurs
The poverty in Indiana occurs most frequently in heavily populated urban areas. Indiana is a very rare case in which there is not a single county with a critical poverty rate (50% or more above the state average).
However, there are plenty of cities in Indiana where this is unfortunately not the case. Eight major cities in Indiana have poverty rates that have reached critical levels of 50% or more above the state average of 11.1%.
The major cities that have reached critical poverty levels (50% above the state average) are the following:
- Bloomington (29.6%)
- East Chicago (24.4%)
- Gary (25.8%)
- Marion (16.9%)
- Muncie (23.1%)
- South Bend (16.7%)
- Terre Haute (19.2%)
- West Lafayette (38.3%)
Why the Worst Poverty in Indiana Exists
Since the critical levels of poverty all occur in heavily populated urban areas, it is apparent that the poverty is linked to the market.
With the cost of living constantly rising in Indiana urban areas, it becomes harder and harder for people living off of low wages to afford the most basic life necessities. These necessities such as utilities, food, shelter, education, health care, and insurance are all linked to the market when living in an urban area.
If wages for the low-income families and individuals living in these major cities of Indiana do not go up as well, then pockets of poverty will begin to expand.
When people do not make enough to keep up with the rising cost of living, it also becomes very difficult to save up assets or send children to college without welfare. To make matters worse, low-income families are much more vulnerable to slipping into poverty in any sort of financially-straining event.
These financially-straining events include things like health crises, divorce with children involved, taking care of elderly parents, and automobile accidents. If something like this occurs to a family who has been unable to save up assets, then more likely than not, the family will slip into a state of poverty.
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone.
What is Being Done about Poverty in Indiana
Unlike the poor people living in rural areas, reservations, or small towns, people living in urban areas can be easily reached by charity or outreach organizations.
Since almost all of the poverty in Indiana occurs in the highly populated major cities, it is easy for national outreach organizations to reach the people struggling to get by.
Examples of such national or state-based organizations like this that are helping in Indiana include Habitat for Humanity, The Helping Hands, Care and Share, Love Incorporated, the Support Group of Indiana, Grace House Clothing, The Salvation Army, and a host of other charitable organizations.
Also helping the poor in the urban areas of Indiana are legislators who worked to raise the minimum wage. A raise in the minimum wage will directly help the working poor in Indiana who struggle to get by on wages that just aren’t enough anymore.
References:
United States Census Bureau
Yellow Pages – Indiana Charity Services
