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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