New Mexico Poverty Rate Falls 1.2 Points, Triple the National Pace
The U.S. Census Bureau's latest three-year estimates show New Mexico's official poverty rate fell 1.2 percentage points, from 17.2% to 16% — triple the national pace, the Las Cruces Digest reported on October 11. The national rate dropped just 0.4 points over the same period, while poverty rose in 16 states.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said: "The data confirms that our unprecedented investments in families are paying off. More families are building wealth, more children are eating the nutritious meals they need for school, and more young people can afford to stay and build their lives here."
The data also shows New Mexico doing the most in the nation to reduce poverty — the gap between its official and supplemental poverty rates is the largest in the country. Counting tax credits, food, and housing assistance, the supplemental rate falls further from 16% to 13.2%. Child poverty for those under 18 nearly halves once state programs are included, from 20.9% to 10.9%, well below the 13.5% national average.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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