With a poverty rate of 11.6%, Washington has the 25th highest poverty rate in the United States, a position it shares with the state of Rhode Island.
This is just slightly better than the poverty rate of Ohio, and just slightly higher than the poverty rates of Maine and Idaho.
Where the Worst Poverty in Washington Occurs
The worst poverty in Washington occurs in both its major cities, and in much more rural counties in the center of the state and the northern border (see map below article).
The counties with critical rates of poverty (at least 50% above the state average) are the following:
- Ferry (17.8%)
- Okanogan (18.8%)
- Yakima (18.6%)
Each of these rural counties has a decent percentage of Native American residents from Colville or Yakima reservations.
The major cities (25,000 or more people) with critical poverty rates are the following:
- Bellingham (20.6%)
- Bremerton (19.4%)
- Pasco (23.3%)
- Walla Walla (18.0%)
- Yakima (22.4%)
Why the Worst Poverty in Washington Exists
Since critical poverty rates in Washington occur in two very different places, the problem should be looked at from both a rural perspective and an urban perspective.
Poverty in rural areas like the central and northern areas of Washington is oftentimes caused by a lack of access to utilities, education, jobs, and health care.
The distance from the major cities also causes an information deficit, and residents in these rural areas, especially if on Native American reservations, will have much less of a political voice than people living in the major cities.
Critical poverty in urban areas like Pasco or Yakima, on the other hand, is oftentimes caused by a higher cost of living than what a low-income family can afford to pay for.
This leads to a lack of saved up assets, and an extreme vulnerability to any kind of financial burden. If anything goes wrong, people who make up the working poor will more often than not slip into a state of poverty.
Many of these poverty problems could be solved through urban planning techniques and policies, which are the focus of this blog.
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone.
What is Being Done about Poverty in Washington
One important poverty-fighting organization based in Seattle is The Borgen Project.
The Borgen Project is a grassroots and advocacy organization working to make people aware that poverty can be eliminated all the way to a global scale.
Other organizations working to eliminate poverty in Washington's more rural areas include Habitat for Humanity and the USDA Rural Development branch.
In Washington's major cities, the Red Cross, United Way, Second Harvest, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Poverty USA are working to end alleviate the pains of urban poverty through a number of different strategies.
These strategies include offering affordable housing, food for the hungry, and counseling for children for the least wealthy Americans.
Other allies to those in need, especially in urban areas, are legislators who worked to raise the minimum wage. A higher minimum wage will make it easier for people to support themselves and their families without federal assistance.
References:
United States Census Bureau
The Borgen Project
David Boston - Hey! A bit about me: I'm a young American activist, researcher, student and aspiring writer, and I've met the love of my life, Caitlin. ...
