Rate of poverty rises throughout county Rate of poverty rises throughout county (March 19, 2004)

Job losses credited with new trend

The Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors' Children, Seniors and Families Committee heard a report last week that analyzed findings of the 2000 Census and gave an updated picture of the number and percent of people living in poverty.

According to the county's analysis, poverty has increased by more than 50 percent since the 2000 Census was conducted. The 2000 U.S. Census found that for the year 1999, there were 123,814 people in the nation living either at or below the poverty level.

In 1999, poverty was defined by the U.S. Census Bureau as an annual income of $16,895 for a family of four with two children. Last year, that income threshold for a family of four was $18,660. Current data reveal that the number of Santa Clara County residents living in poverty today is 187,824.

"These alarming trends tell a story of who is hurting in our valley and will help guide provision of safety net services,'' said Supervisor Jim Beall, chairman of the Children, Seniors and Family Commission, in a prepared statement.

About 142,700 people in the 18-64 age group, which is made up mostly of people in the labor force, represent the largest increase of those living in poverty, county officials report.

This increase reflects the growth in unemployment associated with job losses due to the current economic conditions. The number of unemployed individuals has nearly doubled since 1999, the year captured by the U.S. Census.

The county estimates are based on annual changes in data for three different age groups. For the age group 17 years or younger, the report examined the number of children eligible for CalWORKS grants. For the age group 18-64, the number of unemployed residents was tracked. For those over the age of 65, the county reviewed the number of cases of those over 60 who received General Assistance grants from the county.

-- Bay City News

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