Philadelphia's poverty rate drops to decade low
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Philadelphia is seeing its poverty rate dip to its lowest level in a decade, but it remains the poorest big city in the U.S.
Why it matters: Poverty is a lifelong condition for some Philadelphians, leading to negative health, employment, and educational outcomes.
The big picture: Addressing poverty could play a big role in the November election as negative perceptions about inflation fuel a sour mood about the economy.
By the numbers: Poverty levels in Philly continued to trend downward by hitting 20.3% in 2023, per newly released Census Bureau data.
- That's down more than a percentage point from the previous year and from a rate of 26% in 2014, per Census data.
Context: Philly's poverty rate outpaces other big U.S. cities.
- Houston, Texas, has the second highest poverty rate among the largest cities at 19.5%, followed by New York City (18.2%) and San Antonio (17.5%).
Zoom in: Philly's Hispanic or Latino residents have the highest poverty rate in the city at 26%, despite seeing a year-over-year decrease.
- That's followed by Black Philadelphians, with a rate of 24.5%. The poverty rate for white residents was 12.5%.
Zoom out: The four-state Philly metro increased slightly in 2023 to 11.5%, per Census data.
- Statewide, poverty reached 12% last year, up from 11.8% in 2022.
Meanwhile, people in Philadelphia proper are earning more money.