Census Bureau: Lapeer County poverty rate is approximately 10% – The County Press

Poverty and Sustainable Development in Lapeer County, Michigan: A Situational Report

Introduction: Aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 1 (No Poverty)

This report analyzes the socio-economic conditions in Lapeer County, Michigan, with a specific focus on poverty metrics and their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary objective is to frame local data within the global context of SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Analysis of Poverty and Inequality (SDG 1 & SDG 10)

Poverty Rate Overview

Based on 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data, Lapeer County’s poverty rate is estimated between 9.78% and 10.1%. This figure is notably lower than the Michigan state average of 13.1%, indicating a regional disparity that is relevant to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

• Families Below Poverty Line: 3.80%
• Total Population Below Poverty Line: 5.40%

Vulnerable Demographics and Gender Equality (SDG 5)

Certain demographic groups exhibit higher poverty rates, highlighting inequalities within the county. This data is crucial for targeted interventions aimed at achieving SDG 1 and SDG 5.

• Children Under 18: 6.0% are living in poverty.
• Females Aged 25-34: This group is identified as having one of the highest poverty rates in the City of Lapeer, directly relating to the economic empowerment targets of SDG 5.

Food Security and Nutritional Support (SDG 2: Zero Hunger)

Role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a critical federal initiative supporting the achievement of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by providing food assistance to low-income households. In Lapeer County, this program serves a significant portion of the population.

• Total Individuals Receiving Food Assistance: 8,367
• Children Qualifying for Food Assistance: 3,242

State-level reports indicate that Michigan’s child poverty rate of 10% would increase to 13% without the support of SNAP, underscoring the program’s vital role in poverty mitigation.

Economic Indicators and Decent Work (SDG 8)

County Economic Profile

The economic landscape of Lapeer County provides context for the poverty data, aligning with the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• Population (2020): 88,977
• Per Capita Income: $34,363
• Median Household Income (2020): $68,556

Poverty Wage and Income Thresholds

The federal poverty guidelines define the income level for determining poverty status. A significant gap exists between these thresholds and the income required for economic stability.

1. 2025 Federal Poverty Guideline (Single Person): $15,650 per year (approx. $7.52/hour)
2. 2025 Federal Poverty Guideline (Family of Four): $32,150 per year
3. Michigan Minimum Wage: $12.48 per hour

According to the Michigan League for Public Policy, 27% of families in the state have earnings above the Federal Poverty Level but still cannot afford the basic cost of living, highlighting a challenge in achieving decent work and economic security for all.

State-Level Challenges and Housing Affordability (SDG 11)

Michigan’s Poverty Ranking

Michigan’s overall poverty rate was ranked 13th highest in the United States in 2022, an increase from its 18th place ranking in 2021. This trend is attributed to factors such as rising inflation and stagnant wage growth.

Housing Burden and Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

Housing affordability is a major challenge impacting poverty and is a key component of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). High housing costs divert household income from other essential needs like food and healthcare.

• One in four children in Michigan lives in a household that is cost-burdened, spending over 30% of its monthly income on housing.
• This issue is more pronounced in low-income households, where over half of children reside in cost-burdened homes.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation report, “Measuring Access to Opportunity in the United States,” confirms that federal programs like SNAP and tax credits are essential lifelines preventing deeper economic hardship for families across the state.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article is fundamentally about poverty, discussing poverty rates in Lapeer County and Michigan, defining poverty wages, and outlining the federal poverty guidelines. It directly addresses the core theme of SDG 1.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article extensively discusses food assistance programs like SNAP, mentioning the number of children and individuals who qualify for and receive these benefits. This connects directly to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to food.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article points out that specific demographic groups, such as “children under age 18” and “females aged 25-34,” experience higher poverty rates. This highlights inequalities within the population, which is the central focus of SDG 10.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.

     The article provides specific statistics on poverty according to national definitions, such as the poverty rate in Lapeer County (9.78% – 10.1%), the Michigan state average (13.1%), and the child poverty rate (10%). These figures are essential for tracking progress towards this target.

   • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all… and achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

     The article’s detailed discussion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a “vital lifeline” for families directly relates to this target. It describes SNAP as a federal program providing food assistance to low-income households, which is a key component of a social protection system.

2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations… to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.

     This target is addressed through the article’s focus on food assistance. It states that “3,242 children qualify for food assistance” and 8,367 individuals receive benefits from the state’s program, highlighting the ongoing effort to ensure vulnerable populations have access to food.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex… or other status.

     The article implicitly addresses this target by identifying specific groups disproportionately affected by poverty. It notes that “children under age 18” and “females aged 25-34 in the City of Lapeer” have some of the highest poverty rates, indicating a lack of economic inclusion for these demographics.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 1.2 (Reduce poverty by national definitions):

   • Indicator: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line.

     The article provides several data points for this indicator: the poverty rate in Lapeer County (9.78% – 10.1%), the Michigan state average (13.1%), the child poverty rate in Michigan (10%), and the poverty rate for children under 18 in Lapeer County (6.0%).

2. For Target 1.3 (Implement social protection systems):

   • Indicator: Proportion of population covered by social protection systems.

     The article provides specific numbers that can be used as a proxy for this indicator, stating that “8,367 individuals who are currently receiving or have recently received benefits from the state’s food assistance program,” which includes “3,242 children.”

3. For Target 2.1 (End hunger and ensure access to food):

   • Indicator: Prevalence of food insecurity (implied).

     While not explicitly named, the number of people requiring food aid serves as a direct measure of food insecurity. The article states that “3,242 children qualify for food assistance,” implying a significant level of need and vulnerability to hunger within this group.

4. For Target 10.2 (Promote social and economic inclusion):

   • Indicator: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by age and sex (implied).

     The article provides the data needed to analyze this by highlighting the higher poverty rates for specific demographic groups: “children under age 18 at 6.0%, and females aged 25-34 in the City of Lapeer.” Comparing these rates to the general population’s poverty rate indicates a disparity in economic inclusion.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thecountypress.mihomepaper.com