Poverty affects approximately 42.6 million Americans, 13.4 million of them are children. While the poverty rate nationwide is 13.4%, the child poverty rate is 18.4%.
Childhood poverty in the United States has been on the decline in recent years, but it remains a serious issue. Generally, children are more vulnerable to poverty than adults. Americans under 18 represent about 22% of the population but account for 31.4% of all people living in poverty.
Children depend on their parents or guardians to provide them with their essential needs, and so families with children must earn higher wages to avoid poverty. Based on the official government threshold, a household of two adults and no children must have an income of at least $15,877 to stay out of poverty, whereas a family of two parents and two children must earn over $24,858 to avoid poverty. The larger the family — the more children in a household — the larger the income needed to stay out of poverty.
To identify how many children live in poverty in each state, 24/7 Wall St. retrieved Census Bureau data on income and poverty from the 2017 1-year American Community Survey. The share of children living in poverty was calculated by dividing the amount of residents ages 0-17 who live in poverty by the total number of children living in the state.
Click here to see how many children live in poverty in your state.
Not surprisingly, the states with the lowest incomes have some of the highest shares of children living in poverty. For example, the 10 states with the lowest median annual household incomes — all below the national median annual household income of $60,336 — also have the 10 highest child poverty rates of any state.
Educational attainment is one of the greatest predictors of expected earnings, and states where child poverty is more common tend to have lower educational attainment among adults. Children whose parents are unemployed are also much more likely to live in poverty, and the states where the largest shares of children live in poverty tend to have among the highest unemployment rates.
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
1. Alabama
> Children in poverty: 265,078 (16th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 24.6% (5th highest)
> State poverty rate: 16.9% (6th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 5.3% (6th highest)
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2. Alaska
> Children in poverty: 26,865 (5th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 14.9% (21st lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.1% (16th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3% (16th lowest)
Source: Bill_Vorasate / Getty Images
3. Arizona
> Children in poverty: 332,299 (11th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 20.8% (14th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.9% (12th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.2% (14th highest)
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
4. Arkansas
> Children in poverty: 156,427 (24th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 22.5% (7th highest)
> State poverty rate: 16.4% (7th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.6% (9th highest)
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5. California
> Children in poverty: 1,618,889 (the most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 18.1% (23rd highest)
> State poverty rate: 13.3% (22nd highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.3% (21st lowest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
6. Colorado
> Children in poverty: 149,043 (22nd least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 12.0% (7th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 10.3% (8th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.7% (10th lowest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
7. Connecticut
> Children in poverty: 92,583 (15th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 12.6% (9th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 9.6% (5th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.8% (12th lowest)
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8. Delaware
> Children in poverty: 36,755 (11th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 18.5% (20th highest)
> State poverty rate: 13.6% (19th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.6% (9th highest)
Source: Arrangements-Photography / Getty Images
9. Florida
> Children in poverty: 840,179 (3rd most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 20.3% (15th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.0% (17th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.1% (17th highest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
10. Georgia
> Children in poverty: 519,099 (5th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 21.0% (12th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.9% (11th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.4% (11th highest)
Source: Adam-Springer / Getty Images
11. Hawaii
> Children in poverty: 34,441 (9th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 11.5% (4th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 9.5% (4th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.7% (23rd highest)
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12. Idaho
> Children in poverty: 67,147 (13th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 15.3% (22nd lowest)
> State poverty rate: 12.8% (25th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3% (16th lowest)
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
13. Illinois
> Children in poverty: 486,196 (7th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 17.0% (24th highest)
> State poverty rate: 12.6% (24th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.8% (22nd highest)
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
14. Indiana
> Children in poverty: 282,390 (14th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 18.4% (22nd highest)
> State poverty rate: 13.5% (20th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.9% (21st highest)
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15. Iowa
> Children in poverty: 88,070 (14th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 12.3% (8th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 10.7% (12th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.5% (6th lowest)
Source: benkrut / iStock
16. Kansas
> Children in poverty: 103,689 (18th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 14.8% (20th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.9% (21st lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.1% (18th lowest)
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Source: Thinkstock
17. Kentucky
> Children in poverty: 222,906 (21st most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 22.4% (8th highest)
> State poverty rate: 17.2% (5th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 5.6% (5th highest)
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18. Louisiana
> Children in poverty: 306,513 (13th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 28.0% (the highest)
> State poverty rate: 19.7% (2nd highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 6.6% (the highest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
19. Maine
> Children in poverty: 32,567 (6th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 13.1% (10th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.1% (15th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.5% (6th lowest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
20. Maryland
> Children in poverty: 159,886 (25th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 12.0% (7th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 9.3% (2nd lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.8% (12th lowest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
21. Massachusetts
> Children in poverty: 182,470 (24th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 13.5% (12th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 10.5% (10th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.4% (23rd lowest)
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22. Michigan
> Children in poverty: 419,449 (10th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 19.7% (17th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.2% (15th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.1% (17th highest)
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23. Minnesota
> Children in poverty: 149,926 (23rd least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 11.8% (5th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 9.5% (3rd lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.1% (the lowest)
Source: Thinkstock
24. Mississippi
> Children in poverty: 189,541 (23rd most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 26.9% (3rd highest)
> State poverty rate: 19.8% (the highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 6.3% (3rd highest)
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Source: Thinkstock
25. Missouri
> Children in poverty: 252,041 (18th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 18.6% (19th highest)
> State poverty rate: 13.4% (21st highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.6% (25th highest)
Source: Thinkstock
26. Montana
> Children in poverty: 32,857 (7th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 14.7% (19th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 12.5% (22nd lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.3% (21st lowest)
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27. Nebraska
> Children in poverty: 65,591 (12th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 14.1% (16th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 10.8% (13th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.7% (10th lowest)
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28. Nevada
> Children in poverty: 124,514 (19th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 18.5% (20th highest)
> State poverty rate: 13.0% (25th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4% (20th highest)
Source: AppalachianViews / Getty Images
29. New Hampshire
> Children in poverty: 25,909 (4th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 10.3% (the lowest)
> State poverty rate: 7.7% (the lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.3% (2nd lowest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
30. New Jersey
> Children in poverty: 272,251 (15th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 13.9% (14th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 10.0% (7th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.9% (13th lowest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
31. New Mexico
> Children in poverty: 130,502 (20th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 27.2% (2nd highest)
> State poverty rate: 19.7% (3rd highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 6.6% (the highest)
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32. New York
> Children in poverty: 803,171 (4th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 19.7% (17th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.1% (16th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.2% (14th highest)
Source: Thinkstock
33. North Carolina
> Children in poverty: 481,494 (8th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 21.2% (10th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.7% (14th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.3% (13th highest)
Source: rruntsch / Getty Images
34. North Dakota
> Children in poverty: 18,519 (3rd least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 10.9% (3rd lowest)
> State poverty rate: 10.3% (9th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.3% (21st lowest)
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
35. Ohio
> Children in poverty: 513,238 (6th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 20.1% (16th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.0% (18th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.1% (17th highest)
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
36. Oklahoma
> Children in poverty: 202,674 (22nd most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 21.5% (9th highest)
> State poverty rate: 15.8% (8th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.7% (8th highest)
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37. Oregon
> Children in poverty: 141,151 (21st least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 16.5% (23rd lowest)
> State poverty rate: 13.2% (23rd highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.6% (25th highest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
38. Pennsylvania
> Children in poverty: 444,486 (9th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 17.0% (24th highest)
> State poverty rate: 12.5% (23rd lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.4% (23rd lowest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
39. Rhode Island
> Children in poverty: 33,858 (8th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 16.6% (25th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.6% (20th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.5% (6th lowest)
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Source: Thinkstock
40. South Carolina
> Children in poverty: 245,023 (19th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 22.6% (6th highest)
> State poverty rate: 15.4% (9th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.9% (7th highest)
Source: Thinkstock
41. South Dakota
> Children in poverty: 34,442 (10th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 16.6% (25th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 13.0% (24th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.6% (25th highest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
42. Tennessee
> Children in poverty: 314,781 (12th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 21.2% (10th highest)
> State poverty rate: 15.0% (10th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.2% (14th highest)
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43. Texas
> Children in poverty: 1,524,712 (2nd most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 20.9% (13th highest)
> State poverty rate: 14.7% (13th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 4.4% (11th highest)
Source: CodyHaskell / Getty Images
44. Utah
> Children in poverty: 97,832 (17th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 10.7% (2nd lowest)
> State poverty rate: 9.7% (6th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.4% (3rd lowest)
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
45. Vermont
> Children in poverty: 15,946 (the least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 13.8% (13th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.3% (17th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.6% (8th lowest)
Source: ablokhin / Getty Images
46. Virginia
> Children in poverty: 258,133 (17th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 14.0% (15th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 10.6% (11th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.1% (18th lowest)
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47. Washington
> Children in poverty: 232,452 (20th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 14.3% (17th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.0% (14th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3% (16th lowest)
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Source: BackyardProduction / Getty Images
48. West Virginia
> Children in poverty: 93,758 (16th least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 25.9% (4th highest)
> State poverty rate: 19.1% (4th highest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 5.9% (4th highest)
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
49. Wisconsin
> Children in poverty: 181,828 (25th most)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 14.5% (18th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.3% (18th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 2.6% (8th lowest)
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Source: aoldman / iStock
50. Wyoming
> Children in poverty: 18,013 (2nd least)
> Pct. of children in poverty: 13.3% (11th lowest)
> State poverty rate: 11.3% (19th lowest)
> Families w/ incomes below $10,000/year: 3.7% (23rd highest)
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