A snapshot of Jacksonville census data reveals that city poverty levels are above the state average.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Jacksonville sits at a 19 percent poverty level, well above the state’s 13.6 poverty level. The average household median sits at $39,458 for the city compared to $57,574 statewide, and city per-capita income over the last 12 months is $10,000 less than the $30,494 state average.
The county poverty level sits at 14.8 percent for Morgan County.
Of those sitting below the poverty level, those most affected were males at 18 to 24 years of age with 55.1 percent below the poverty level and females of 18 to 24 at 24.3.
The Census Bureau’s five-year American Community Survey revealed that each year the city has seen a decline in employees with 8,503 employees in 2014 compared to 8,176 employees in 2015, a difference of minus 3.85 percent.
However, in the Heartland Alliance’s report on Illinois poverty released in March, Morgan County was not identified as “watch” or “warning” county. The “County Well-Being Index” highlights counties that are experience negative conditions based on poverty, unemployment, teen births and high school graduation.
In the region, Brown, Greene and Pike Counties made the watch lists. Statewide, only three counties made the warning list in 2017: Logan, Warren and Wabash Counties.
In Brown County, Mount Sterling was rated with a 15.5 percent poverty rate and a $40,517 median household income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
For Greene County, Carrollton’s poverty rate was below the state average at 11.8 percent and had an $42,025 median household income.
In Pike County, Pittsfield sits just above the state levels at 14.6 percent but the median household income levels sit below Jacksonville at $38,958.
While Census Bureau representatives were unavailable to comment on what effect the college population might have on these levels, a report titled “Examining the Effect of Off-Campus College Students on Poverty Rates” says that students living in college dormitories are excluded from the poverty universe used for the official poverty measure.
