Poverty rate Archives - Louisiana Budget Project

September 26, 2019

Poverty Drops (slightly) in Louisiana

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The percentage of Louisianans living in poverty decreased slightly in 2018 from the previous year, according to U.S Census Bureau data released Sept. 26. The gains were even more pronounced among children, particularly children of color, according to the 2018 American Community Survey.… Read more...

September 26, 2018

Food insecurity on the rise in Louisiana

Louisiana has seen the largest increase in food insecurity in the last decade, with 1 in 6 households struggling each year to afford a consistent, healthy diet, according to a new report from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Number of the Day

23,400 - Number of jobs Louisiana is predicted to add in 2019, a 1.2 percent increase. (Source: Baton Rouge Advocate)

September 20, 2018

Teacher pay raise is top 2019 priority

Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday that a $1,000 annual pay raise for teachers and $500 for school support staff would be his top legislative priority in 2019, calling it critical to attracting motivated people to the profession.

Number of the Day

12.4 percent - Poverty rate for the 100 largest metro areas in the nation. This is the fourth year in a row that major metro poverty has fallen. New Orleans was the only metro area where poverty increased. (Source: Brookings Institution)

September 13, 2018

Poverty data should be wake-up call for Louisiana

While the national economy continues to gain momentum, far too many families in Louisiana continue to be left behind. Data released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau show that poverty and economic inequality remain stubbornly high across the state.