The economic security of individuals and families is essential to achieving the values of American society. For complex reasons, this financial security is beyond the means of many in our community.
The median household income in our region was $59,900 in 2015-19, a decrease of 10% from 2000. This was lower than the $68,500 in the state and $62,800 in the nation. The City of Rochester had the lowest median income in the region and the highest rate of poverty, with 31% of its residents living below the poverty line.
The poverty rate was 13% in the region and 11% in the counties surrounding Monroe in 2015-19, similar to the state and national rate (14% and 13% respectively). Since 2000, the poverty rate in the region increased by 3 points, while the state rate decreased 1 point.
Household incomes varied greatly among our region's racial and ethnic groups, with African American and Hispanic residents earning less (median incomes of $32,300 and $33,600, respectively) and living in poverty at higher rates (32% and 30% respectively). Household incomes of whites were nearly twice as high as those of African Americans and Hispanics. Poverty rates were higher in the City of Rochester: 40% for Hispanics, 37% for African Americans, 26% for Asians and 25% for white residents.
As young people begin their transition to adulthood, their engagement in school or work is important to their future financial prospects. Yet in our region, 6% of youth ages 16 to 19 were not in school or working in 2015-19.
As the economy declined, the rate of people receiving public assistance in the region and state increased since 2008 but has been decreasing since 2015. Monroe and Orleans counties had the highest rates in 2019 at 2.4%, but Monroe had the lowest rate of approving applications for assistance (19% in 2019).
The share of regional households receiving federal food assistance has remained elevated since the 2008 recession, with 14% participating in SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program). Rates were higher among households headed by people of color, with 42% of black or African Americans and 40% of Hispanic or Latinos in our region participating in 2015-19, in comparison to 10% of white residents.
Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS| INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic | REGIONAL VALUE | YEAR | NYS COMPARISON | TREND | REGION |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 | 6% | 2015-19 |
3
|
-1
Decreasing
|
| Median Household Income | $59,871 | 2015-19 |
1
|
-1
Decreasing
|
| Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
| People Living in Poverty | 13% | 2015-19 |
3
|
1
Increasing
|
| People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
| Public Assistance Recipients | 1.7% | 2020 |
3
|
-1
Decreasing
|
| Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications | 24% | 2020 | 0 |
-1
Decreasing
|
| Households Receiving SNAP | 14% | 2015-19 |
3
|
1
Increasing
|
| Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity | 2015-19 | 0 | 10 Not Applicable* | |
| Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit | 15% | 2018 |
3
|
-1
Decreasing
|
| EITC Dollars | $172 | 2018 |
1
|
-1
Decreasing
|
Worse than NYS by 10% or more Up to 10% worse than NYS Equal to or better than NYS
Children & Youth
Community Vitality
Demographics
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