The Facts
More than 1 in 6 Alabamians live in poverty
17.5 percent of Alabamians live below the federal poverty line, which is $21,954 in household earnings for a family of four. US Census Bureau, Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates
1 in 4 children in Alabama live in poverty.
24.6 percent of children live in households below the federal poverty line. US Census Bureau, Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates
2nd largest income gap
The gap between Alabama’s richest and poorest is the second largest in the nation. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
41.4 percent high school dropout rate
Alabama ranks 42nd in the nation in per capita income. Nearly 60 percent of that wage gap can be attributed to our high school drop out rate, which was 41.4 percent in 2007. Southern Education Foundation
2nd most obese, 4th most diabetic state
Alabama is the second most obese state in the country and has the fourth highest rate of diabetes among adults. Trust for America’s Health; CDC
2nd hungriest state in the nation
25 percent of Alabamians experienced food hardship in 2010. Food Research and Action Center