A HARD LOOK AT
POVERTY IN RENO COUNTY

Poverty in Reno County is higher than the state poverty rate with a total of 3,321 households below the federal poverty level. That doesn’t tell the full story, however. More than 7,200 are above the poverty line, but in danger of falling into poverty - according to United Way’s ALICE data. (ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

Additionally, poverty is higher among families with children, and in particular among single-parent households.

According to information from Kansas Action for Children and the Annie E. Casey Foundation, roughly 55 percent of our student population qualifies for free and reduced lunches.

Poverty limits the rate of growth household incomes, business profitability, and tax revenues. It drives crime rates, diminishes graduation rates, increases homelessness, and hampers employers’ abilities to hire qualified candidates.

Furthermore, subsidy and safety net programs have a built-in disincentive known as the Cliff Effect that punishes people who want to work, can work, but risk losing more childcare, health coverage, and food assistance than they can replace with a new job, increased hours, and/or taking a raise.

The Circles approach to changing poverty, and these seemingly ingrained social challenges, is to work together over time to create stronger, more secure families and individuals in our community.