Poverty Rates in Iowa
The Working Poor in Urban Iowa Don't Make Enough Money
With a poverty rate of 10.5%, Iowa has the 35th highest poverty rate in the United States. The poverty rate of Iowa is just slightly lower than that of North Dakota, and just slightly higher than Wyoming and Utah.
Where the Worst Poverty in Iowa Occurs
Critical levels of poverty (50% or more above the state average) occur in only one county in Iowa (see map below article). This county is Decatur County, a county on the southern border of Iowa, and it has a poverty rate of 16.8%.
Decatur County is slightly more rural than the rest of Iowa, which is already a pretty rural state. Decatur County has a population density of 16.3 people per square mile, while the average population density of the state is 52.4 people per square mile.
However, even higher rates of poverty occur in Iowa’s major cities. Three cities in Iowa reach critical levels of poverty (50% or more above the state average). These cities are the following:
- Ames (20.4%)
- Cedar Falls (16.7%)
- Iowa City (21.7%)
Since higher rates of poverty occur in the major cities, and Decatur County has a population of about 8,656 people, this article will focus on the urban poverty in the state of Iowa.
It is important to keep in mind that rural poverty is still a huge and complex problem, and is the main source of poverty in many other states.
Why the Worst Poverty in Iowa Exists
Since the highest levels of poverty appear in the major cities of Iowa, and the poverty rates of every county except for one are near the state average, it appears that a couple key factors are playing a role.
In the major cities, people are completely reliant on the market for all of their most basic needs. These needs include things like food, utilities, shelter, health care, and insurance, among other things.
If the cost of living in any particular major city goes up, and the wages for the lowest paying jobs in the city do not go up, then poverty increases.
Contrary to what some people may think, it has been found that most of the poorest people in America do work one or more jobs. However, the jobs that the poorest people work do not give good hours, and they pay the lowest wages possible.
Plus, since many poor people in Iowa are unable to accumulate any assets or send their children to college, they are much more vulnerable financially if anything goes wrong.
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 Iowa
Fortunately, the poor living in Ames, Cedar Falls, and Iowa City have one thing going for them. It is much easier for outreach organizations and charities to reach urban areas than it is for them to reach the poor on reservations, in rural areas, or in small towns.
Because of this, many national and Iowa-based organizations are able to reach the poor in these heavily populated urban areas. Some examples of organizations helping to solve poverty in Iowa include Habitat for Humanity, Meals on Wheels, Poverty USA, Boys and Girls Club, and a host of other charitable and outreach organizations.
Other actions that help the poor in urban Iowa include raising the minimum wage and lowering income-tax rates for the poorest Americans by national legislators.
References:
United States Census Bureau
