Poverty Rates in New Mexico
Native Americans on Navajo Reservation See Worst Poverty in State
With a poverty rate of 16.7%, New Mexico has the 3rd highest poverty rate in the United States. This is just slightly better than Louisiana, and slightly worse than Kentucky.
Where the Worst Poverty in New Mexico Occurs
The poverty rate in New Mexico stays relatively close to the state average in every major city and county. However, since the poverty rate is so high in New Mexico, this is not necessarily a good thing.
There is only one county where the poverty rate reaches a critical level (at least 50% above the state average), and this is McKinley County, with a poverty rate of 27.4%.
What makes McKinley County unique is that it is inhabited by 74.5% Native American citizens who mostly belong to the Navajo Tribe.
There are no major cities (25,000 people or more) in New Mexico with a critical rate of poverty.
Why the Worst Poverty in New Mexico Exists
According to the United States Census, critical rates of poverty in New Mexico are directly linked to areas of Native American reservations.
Native Americans living on these reservations often times feel forgotten, or pushed to the side, by the United States government.
There is a serious negative stigma associated with these reservations which makes it harder on the residents. Suicide rates are extremely high, and they have little to no political voice.
When is the last time anyone heard “I’m going to fight to improve the Native American reservations” in a campaign message?
When negative stigma is associated with any area, it can lead to the area becoming an unattractive place for expanding businesses, teachers, and health care professionals who might otherwise consider working in the area.
This results in a serious lack of jobs and high unemployment rates, low-quality education, and low-quality health care. All of this then makes the problem of poverty even worse in the area, which then reinforces the negative stigma attached to it.
Without some public and private investment in these areas, better communication with tribal governments, and more attention to the needs of these reservations, the poverty rate in these areas is expected to rise.
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 New Mexico
In addition to very important national charitable and outreach organizations working to keep poverty levels low across America, government plays a key role in fighting poverty that has been isolated like it has in New Mexico.
To help fix the problem of poverty on Native American reservations, it is important to maintain good communication between tribal governments and state/federal levels of government.
One example of a step in the right direction is the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department created from the New Mexico Office of Indian Affairs by Governor Bill Richardson.
This upsizing will make it easier for the needs of the poor on Native American reservations to be recognized by the federal government and the New Mexico state government.
References:
United States Census Bureau
New Mexico Indian Affairs Department
