While it is probably not surprising that Chattooga County’s poverty rate is higher than the national average, what may come as a surprise is the demographic that is most affected by economic hardship is females aged 25-34, a prime working age where many are trying to establish careers and support families.

According to the U.S. Census Numbers and state agency data, Chattooga County’s poverty rate currently stands at 19.9%, significantly higher than the national average of 12.5%.  The struggle for women, especially single-mothers, is evident looking at who is most affected by poverty in our area.

According to the latest data, women in America are 35 percent more likely than men to be living in poverty. This disparity is even more pronounced for single mothers, who make up an alarming 35 percent of those raising their families below the poverty line.  Even as women have gained greater participation in the workforce, making up nearly half of all employed Americans, they continue to be disproportionately concentrated in the lowest-paid occupations. In fact, women account for a full 60 percent of the country’s minimum-wage and sub-minimum-wage workers, putting them at heightened risk of financial insecurity and inability to provide for their families.

The second largest impoverished demographic in Chattooga County are females aged 55-64, a vulnerable time as they approach retirement age with limited resources.

Rounding out the top three are males under 5 years old, highlighting the challenges facing young children in low-income households.