Child Poverty

Rate Nearly Triples For Child Poverty 

California nearly tripled the poverty rate from 2021 to 2024 -- 7.5% to 18.6% -- and is now the fourth highest in the country, Mostly caused by changes to federal policies such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, food and nutrition assistance, school lunch assistance and housing subsidies. These programs saved 8.5 million children from poverty. Poverty rates doubled after the pandemic-era federal policies were repealed -- meaning almost 1 million more kids were in poverty in 2024

The Public Policy Institute of California reported:  "For children, the consequences are immediate and profound: Hunger, unstable housing, inadequate health care, unsafe neighborhoods and other pressures undermine healthy development, school success and long-term well-being,. These experiences can increase the risk of chronic illness, limit employment prospects and create lasting barriers to opportunity."

According to the report, national child poverty fell to 5%, after significant pandemic relief policies and expanded child credits took effect in 2021. After 2024 removal of those policies, the national SPM rose to 13% and would have reached 25% without public support programs.

In 2024, 61% of children in poverty in the U.S. lived in families with at least one working parent. Between 2021 and 2024, national child poverty increased for every racial and ethnic group, with most increases for Black and Latino children.