Poverty is persistent on the Great Plains. A new report from the Center for Rural Affairs finds that poverty rates in rural Eastern Wyoming are generally higher than poverty rates in urban areas, especially among children. Report author Jon Bailey says about 13 percent of the area’s regional population lives in poverty, with that rate bumping to 16 percent for children. Children in rural areas also face higher rates of food insecurity. Bailey says even though their report is “new” – the problems aren’t new.
Bailey says he thinks the poverty problems in the Great Plains haven’t been a priority because of the stereotype that poverty is just a big-city or inner-city issue.
The report examines data from the 2010 Census. Recommendations include finding innovative ways to create rural economic opportunities and revitalize economies. Bailey says that could happen through federal, state and local policies along with private-sector partnerships. He also notes that previous C-F-R-A research has shown how U-S-D-A and Congressional policies that subsidize the biggest and most powerful farms hurt rural development.
Bailey says he thinks the poverty problems in the Great Plains haven’t been a priority because of the stereotype that poverty is just a big-city or inner-city issue.
The report examines data from the 2010 Census. Recommendations include finding innovative ways to create rural economic opportunities and revitalize economies. Bailey says that could happen through federal, state and local policies along with private-sector partnerships. He also notes that previous C-F-R-A research has shown how U-S-D-A and Congressional policies that subsidize the biggest and most powerful farms hurt rural development.
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