Demographics of Poverty

Photo Credits to CultureMap.com

Written by: Andrew A.

Edited by: Bianca I.

 

The homeless population in Austin, Texas has slowly escalated over the past few years and has become a serious issue in the greater Austin area. With lots of debate on how to handle the growth of poverty, Austinites are doing their best to provide help to those in need. A significant piece of information a citizen could have is knowing the demographics of poverty, so they know how to help. 

 

Largest Demographic

 

According to research conducted by KVUE.com, African Americans represent more than one in three people counted in the homeless population for 2020, despite the fact that they only represent less than one in ten individuals in the city of Austin. 

 

This statistic is alarming. What you can do to prevent this statistic from rising is promote racial equity in your community. Any effort you make will count, whether it’s spreading awareness on social media, going to a peaceful protest, or simply having a conversation about the issue with your friends and family and spreading awareness about it. We need to remember the power our voices have and start using it to make a difference. 

 

Homeless Youth

Photo Credits to facebook.com/rawhideyouthservices

 

The next group to consider is homeless youth. According to rawhide.org, 40% of the U.S. homeless population are under the age of 18. 

 

This number is shocking, but the only way the issue will be solved is if we come together as a community to help. This means donating clothes, volunteering at shelters, or donating just a few dollars to a homeless shelter. No kid should have to go through the struggles of living on the streets. 

 

Final Demographic

 

The final piece of evidence that I’ll leave you with comes from stopchildhomelessness.org. Their research shows that 29% of homeless families are headed by a working adult, typically the mother. As for the children, it’s estimated that there are 1.6 million homeless children in America. The number could possibly be higher, but statistics are often under-reported at all levels of each state.

 

As mentioned before, there are so many ways to help those in need. Even if you are unable to donate time and money, just spreading awareness and resources to those you know can make a huge difference. 

 

Uplifting Thoughts

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, it’s understandable that after reading these statistics you may feel disheartened or overwhelmed by the numbers that exist regarding poverty in America. There’s nothing wrong with that. The issue will not be solved overnight, and that’s okay. Things like this take time, but as long as we continue to work together, we can gradually make progress and trim away at the issue one day at a time. 

 

So, whether you donate time, money, clothes, food, or spread awareness within your community and on social media, each effort you make will chip away at the poverty issues in our country. In the words of Robert Ingersoll, “We rise by lifting others.”  

 

Tags: Austin, United States, Rawhide, KVUE, Homelessness, Demographics.