Research has consistently shown that poverty has a significant and lasting impact on a child’s development. Below find a list of data and resources found on IECAM related to early childhood and poverty.
- Online database To get the most recent poverty data available in spreadsheets choose Federal Poverty Levels under the Demographics tab for a selected Illinois geographic area and year.
- Multi-Year Search To get poverty data over time in spreadsheets choose Population, by income-to-poverty ratios and age (0-5) under the Early Childhood Service Types & Demographics tab for a selected range of years.
- Population of Children Age 5 and Under by Federal Poverty Level Interactive map and downloadable data in spreadsheets and maps for children age 5 and under by Federal Poverty Level (50%, 100%, 130%, 185%, 200%, and 400%) and geographic area for single years.
- Number of Children Living in Poverty Areas and Extreme Poverty Areas Download data in spreadsheets and maps for the number of children living in poverty and extreme poverty areas as well as location of poverty areas within Illinois.
- Children in Working Families Download data in spreadsheets and maps for family employment conditions for children 5 and under (under Demographics tab).
- Unemployment Rate in spreadsheets, charts, and maps for annual average unemployment rates and numbers in labor force, by state and county.
- Students Reported as Homeless in spreadsheets and maps for homeless children in Preschool for All (PFA), and grades 1, 2, 3 (Kindergarten students only for 2019). This information can now also be accessed using the online database and checking “Homeless Students” under the early childhood service types tab (most recent year of data is 2017).
- Children Age 5 and Under by Federal Poverty Level Compare the Illinois population of children age 5 and under by federal poverty level with other states using this interactive state comparison map.
- Federal Poverty Levels This one-page Spotlight on Stats report describes Federal Poverty Levels (FPLs) as a measure of poverty and provides maps of Illinois counties showing percent of children age 5 and under living in families with incomes below 50% and 100% FPL.
- Additional maps: Percentage of Children 5 and Under Living Below 185% Federal Poverty Level Receiving CCAP Assistance by State Senate & House Districts, 2016, and related: Percent of Homeless Students Enrolled in Kindergarten (2017), Low-Income Student Enrollment in Illinois Public Schools, 2006-2020
Web Resources
- U.S. Census Bureau: Income and Poverty
- U.S. Census Bureau: Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: 2019
- U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Interactive Tool
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Poverty Guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Poverty Guidelines and Poverty
- Illinois Risk and Reach Report 2019 Use data tools in three early childhood focused domains: Family Stability (including poverty indicators), Health, and Early Care and Education.
- Data Quality Campaign: Accurate Student Poverty Data is Crucial to Supporting All Students: Fast Facts for Policymakers and System Leaders
- The Basic Facts About Children in Poverty, Center for American Progress, 2021
- Heartland Alliance’s 2020 Poverty Report and data dashboard
- Voices for Illinois Children 2021 Illinois Kids Count Report: Addressing Child Poverty Before and After COVID-19