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%).
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%.
In 2012, about 13% of residents were living in poverty, compared 14% statewide. In 2023, the share in poverty dropped to 12% in the metro area and 12% statewide.
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.
- The city's median household income topped $60,302, a first since the late 1970s, per the Inquirer.
- Yes, but: That's still below the average national median household income of more than $80,610, per 2023 data.
From Axios Philadelphia
