Chi area poor to grow by 250,000 (Chicago: 2009, school, income)

[ChiMack]

a 27% increase in the past two years. thats some crazy stuff; bu it do wonder what they mean by chicago area residents and poor how do they define it cause it might not be that bad

[PokerPlayer1]

LOL @ the American standard of "poor".

IMO, it should be mandatory that all persons, upon reaching the age of 21, travel to at least two other continents (of their choosing) prior to be granted full American citizenship. It just makes me want to puke that we have "poor" who are driving 2008 model cars, have flat-screen TVs and eat out three times a week.

Yes, there are genuinely poor people and I am pretty sympathetic to their sufferings (to a point), but whenever statistics like this come out, there's an underlying truth that is just offensive.

[ajolotl]

I agree. Anyone who has plumbing, heat, electricity, something to eat, and a school to send their kids to is doing pretty well in the bigger scheme of things. I don't feel too sorry for anyone in this country.

Originally Posted by PokerPlayer1

LOL @ the American standard of "poor".

IMO, it should be mandatory that all persons, upon reaching the age of 21, travel to at least two other continents (of their choosing) prior to be granted full American citizenship. It just makes me want to puke that we have "poor" who are driving 2008 model cars, have flat-screen TVs and eat out three times a week.

Yes, there are genuinely poor people and I am pretty sympathetic to their sufferings (to a point), but whenever statistics like this come out, there's an underlying truth that is just offensive.

[binarybelle]

Originally Posted by ChiMack

a 27% increase in the past two years. thats some crazy stuff; bu it do wonder what they mean by chicago area residents and poor how do they define it cause it might not be that bad

Urban sociologists define "poor" as living under the federal poverty line. The poverty line is the minimum level of income deemed necessary to sustain an adequate standard of living in any given country, which includes the cost of food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, education, health care and other basic needs.

In 2009, a single person living under the federal poverty line makes less than $10,830 a year; a family of 3 makes less than $18,310; and a family of 4 makes less than $22,050.

2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by binarybelle

Urban sociologists define "poor" as living under the federal poverty line. The poverty line is the minimum level of income deemed necessary to sustain an adequate standard of living in any given country, which includes the cost of food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, education, health care and other basic needs.

In 2009, a single person living under the federal poverty line makes less than $10,830 a year; a family of 3 makes less than $18,310; and a family of 4 makes less than $22,050.

2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines

Of course, the biggest problem with the Federal poverty line is that it fails to take into account the vast differences in cost of living (particularly housing) in various regions of the country. That's why I, for one, find it rather meaningless.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by ChiMack

a 27% increase in the past two years. thats some crazy stuff; bu it do wonder what they mean by chicago area residents and poor how do they define it cause it might not be that bad

You need to start posting sources.

[Intergalactic]

If 250,000 people move below the poverty line in a metro area of 8 million, how is that 27%?

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Study: Recession pushing Illinoisans into poverty -- chicagotribune.com

[Costa Rica Chica]

Originally Posted by Intergalactic

If 250,000 people move below the poverty line in a metro area of 8 million, how is that 27%?

I was at a luncheon yesterday for an urban planning organization and they say the population of Chicagoland will be 13 million by 2040.

[ajolotl]

x + 250000 = 1.27x
x = 25000/.27 = 925,925

So, there were 925,925 poor people. It increased 27% (or 250K) to 1,175,924. Does that seem wrong for some reason?

Originally Posted by Intergalactic

If 250,000 people move below the poverty line in a metro area of 8 million, how is that 27%?