Dr. Elena Delavega, University of Memphis Department of Social Work, publishes the must-read report each year on Memphis poverty. The Memphis Poverty Fact Sheet is an important academic analysis for our community and a valuable contribution to our civic conversations.
Based on this year’s report, most measures of poverty increased from 2017 to 2018:
Among the 36 cities whose populations are greater than 500,000, Memphis has the second highest rate of poverty, up from #4 last year. Only Detroit has a higher rate – 33.4%. Memphis moved up from fourth place to second place in the percentage of children living in poverty.
Among the 120 cities whose populations are greater than 200,000, Memphis is #5, moving up from #6 last year.
The following data come from her reports:
Poverty Rates
Memphis
2018: 27.8%
2017: 24.6%
2016: 26.9%
2015: 26.2%
2014: 29.8%
2013: 27.7%
2011: 27.2%
Shelby County
2018: 21.7%
2017: 18.8%
2016: 20.8%
2015: 20.1%
2014: 22.9%
2013: 21.8%
Memphis MSA
2018: 18.8%
2017: 17.1%
2016: 19.4%
2015: 26.2%
2014: NA
2013: NA
Poverty Rate for children under 18 – Memphis
2018: 44.9%
2017: 39.0%
2016: 44.7%
2015: 43.0%
2014: 46.9%
2013: 45.7%
2011: 42.1%
Poverty Rate for African Americans – Memphis
2018: 33.8%
2017: 28.9%
2016: 32.3%
2015: 30.1%
2014: 34.4%
2013: 33.5%
2011: 33.7%
Poverty Rate for Whites – Memphis
2018: 11.8%
2017: 12.3%
2016: 13.3%
2015: 13.0%
2014: 13.5%|
2013: 9.8%
2011: 12.6%
Poverty Rate for Latinos – Memphis
2018: 28.8%
2017: 33.3%
2016: NA
2015: NA
2014: 45.5%
2013: 47.0%
2011: 36.4%
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It is an interesting and sad fact that a booming economy does so little for the reduction of poverty. Ten years of prosperity and low unemployment rates (even in Memphis) and the poverty rate actually increased for 2018. A rising tide does NOT raise all boats.
Conditions of employment — low wages, on-demand hours, short work weeks, multiple jobs — all probably have something to do with the level of poverty in Memphis. But probably the majority of the poverty — particularly poverty among children — is just related to poor social policy. Society (that’s all of us) just won’t put together a social support system that makes sure the next generation is ready and able.
Thank you Dr. Delavega for producing these charts each year.