New Data Shows More Female-Headed Families Living in Poverty

On June 14, Alabama Possible released their 2016 Alabama Poverty Data Sheet, which highlights statewide poverty rates and data related to educational attainment, employment, and food security. Alabama ranked as the country’s fourth poorest state.

Once again, these numbers reveal a sobering reality for single mothers in Greater Birmingham.*

A staggering 44.9 percent of female-headed households live below the poverty linein Greater Birmingham. This number is up from 39 percent in 2009.

The poverty rates for female-headed households with children by county are:

Blount: 60.4%Jefferson: 46.2%Shelby: 28.0%St. Clair: 41.3%Walker: 56.7%

The overall poverty rate for the United States is 15.5 percent.

*Greater Birmingham refers to a five-county region comprising of Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties.