Florida’s child poverty rate continued to decline over the past year, with the number of children living in poverty statewide decreasing by 3,192, according to a new analysis from the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative.
Despite the increase in the number of children in Florida, the number of children living in poverty decreased from 714,768 to 711,576, continuing a long-term downward trend, reducing child poverty by more than 200,000 since the initiative’s inception.
The latest numbers show continued momentum in the state-wide business-led effort to cut child poverty in half by 2030, one of 39 long-term goals outlined in the Florida 2030 Blueprint to strengthen Florida’s economy and place the state among the top 10 in the world (currently 15th).
Data highlights:
• More than half of Florida’s children living in poverty live in 150 of the state’s 983 zip codes.
• Thirty-five counties saw a decrease in child poverty over the past year, while 31 counties saw an increase.
• Overall poverty rates ranged from the highest at 27.9% in Gadsden County to the lowest at 6.5% in St. Johns County.
• Overall childhood poverty rates ranged from the highest at 39.30% in Hardy County to the lowest at 6.5% in Santa Rosa County.
• County and zip code data is available in the Florida Scorecard and Florida Gap Map.
The Florida Prosperity Initiative says it brings together a coalition of business, community and policy leaders to address 10 root causes of poverty at the local level.
Partners include the United Way, local chambers of commerce, Hope Florida, Boys & Girls Clubs, the Leading Pals program, and many other important community organizations across the state.
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Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer has put child protection at the center of his leadership and is already working with communities and law enforcement across Florida to change the trajectory of children and families who face barriers to safety and economic opportunity.
“The safety of Florida’s children should never depend on their zip code, which is why I am working with the Florida Prosperity Initiative to drive real change at the neighborhood level to strengthen protections and close gaps to opportunity and self-sufficiency,” said Florida Attorney General James Usmeyer.
