New Census Data Reflect Rising Challenges in Texas on Health Insurance, Poverty, and Income Inequality – Every Texan

Report on Socio-Economic Indicators in Texas: An Analysis Through the Lens of Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction and Data Source

This report analyzes the 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, focusing on the state of Texas. The findings are assessed in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning poverty, health, economic growth, and inequality. The ACS provides timely statistics on population, income, poverty, and health insurance for geographies with populations of 65,000 or more.

SDG 1: No Poverty – Persistent Challenges in Texas

Progress towards ending poverty in all its forms remains a significant challenge for Texas, which lags behind national trends. The state’s performance indicates a critical need for targeted interventions to achieve SDG 1.

Poverty Rate Analysis

• The national poverty rate declined from 12.5% in 2023 to 12.1% in 2024.
• Texas’s poverty rate remains above the national average at 13.4%.
• A concerning 6.4% of Texans live in deep poverty (incomes below 50% of the poverty line), compared to the national rate of 6.0%.

Vulnerable Populations and Child Poverty

• Black and Hispanic Texans are disproportionately represented among those living in poverty, reflecting systemic inequalities that contravene the principles of SDG 1.
• The poverty rate for children in Texas increased to 16% in 2024, a significant rise from 12% in 2023.
• Data from the Current Population Survey indicates that 287,000 children in Texas are in kinship care, with caregivers often receiving little support.

Policy Impact on Poverty Alleviation

Policy decisions are a key determinant in poverty outcomes. States with stronger social safety nets, such as expanded Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), have demonstrated more rapid poverty reduction. Texas maintains low benefit levels and strict eligibility, hindering progress toward SDG 1.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Stagnation and Disparity

Texas exhibits high levels of inequality, undermining the objective of SDG 10 to reduce inequality within and among countries. Data on income distribution highlights a persistent gap between high- and low-income households.

Income Inequality Metrics

• The Gini index, a measure of income distribution, for Texas was 0.479 in 2024, nearly mirroring the high national score of 0.481.
• This score underscores a significant and ongoing gap between the state’s wealthiest and poorest households.
• Racial and ethnic disparities are pronounced, with Black and Hispanic families disproportionately affected by stagnant wages.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Modest Gains Amidst Rising Costs

While there were minor gains in household income, they were insufficient to foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth for all Texans as envisioned by SDG 8. High living costs continue to strain family budgets.

Household Income Trends

• Texas’s median household income rose modestly from $78,006 in 2023 to $79,721 in 2024.
• This figure remains below the national median household income of $81,604.
• Major metropolitan areas in Texas, such as San Antonio ($78,112) and Houston ($76,403), rank near the bottom among large U.S. metros.

Recommendations for Inclusive Economic Policy

To align with SDG 8, policy solutions must focus on both wage growth and cost reduction. Recommended actions include:

1. Addressing key cost drivers such as housing, child care, and transportation.
2. Expanding high-return apprenticeships and sector partnerships to improve wage prospects.
3. Lowering barriers to work by improving access to child care and transportation and recognizing professional credentials.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Critical Gaps in Health Coverage

Texas fails to meet fundamental targets of SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The state has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, posing severe risks to public health and family financial security.

Health Insurance Coverage Statistics

• Texas’s overall uninsured rate is 16.7%, the highest in the United States.
• Among working-age adults, the uninsured rate is 21.6%, nearly triple that of leading states.
• The uninsured rate for children in Texas is 13.6%, also the worst in the nation.

Implications for Health and Well-being

The lack of health insurance coverage has severe long-term consequences for health outcomes, educational attainment, and economic stability. The state’s failure to expand Medicaid and invest in affordable coverage options is a primary driver of these poor outcomes, directly impeding progress toward achieving universal health coverage as outlined in SDG 3.

Conclusion: A Call for Policy Action to Achieve the SDGs

The 2024 ACS data reveals that Texas is falling behind national progress on key indicators related to the Sustainable Development Goals. The state’s high rates of poverty, inequality, and uninsurance are not inevitable but are the result of specific policy choices. To bend the curve toward security and prosperity for all residents, Texas leaders must take decisive action to:

• Expand health coverage to meet the goals of SDG 3.
• Strengthen social safety nets and invest in families to combat poverty in line with SDG 1.
• Implement policies that promote inclusive economic growth and reduce income inequality to advance SDGs 8 and 10.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 1: No Poverty

  The article extensively discusses poverty in Texas, directly aligning with SDG 1’s goal to end poverty in all its forms. It highlights that Texas has a poverty rate of 13.4%, which is above the national average. The text also delves into “deep poverty,” where 6.4% of Texans live on incomes below 50% of the poverty line, and notes the rising child poverty rate of 16%. The disproportionate representation of Black and Hispanic Texans in poverty statistics is also mentioned, connecting the issue to its various dimensions.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal is addressed through the article’s focus on health insurance coverage. The text states that “Texas continues to have the highest uninsured rate in the nation at 16.7%.” It provides specific data points, such as the 21.6% uninsured rate for working-age adults and the 13.6% rate for children. The article links these high rates to state policy choices, such as the decision not to expand Medicaid, and discusses the long-term consequences of these coverage gaps on health and financial security, which is central to SDG 3.

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  The article connects directly to SDG 10 by analyzing income inequality. It uses the Gini index to measure this, noting that “Texas’s 2024 Gini score is 0.479,” which is high and close to the national score. The analysis points to a significant “gap between high- and low-income households.” Furthermore, it highlights racial and ethnic disparities, stating that “Black and Hispanic families [are] most likely to face stagnant wages” and are “disproportionately represented among those living in poverty,” underscoring the theme of inequality within the state.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 1: No Poverty

1. Target 1.2: By 2030, 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 directly relates to this target by providing detailed statistics on poverty according to national definitions (the Official Poverty Measure). It specifies that the poverty rate in Texas is 13.4% and that the child poverty rate has increased to 16%. This data provides a baseline for measuring progress toward reducing poverty by half.

2. Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all… and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.

   This target is identified through the article’s discussion of social safety net policies. It mentions programs like SNAP and TANF and criticizes Texas for maintaining “some of the nation’s lowest benefit levels and strictest eligibility rules,” which implies that the state’s social protection systems do not provide substantial coverage for the poor and vulnerable.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services…

   The article’s focus on the high uninsured rate in Texas is a direct measure of the state’s distance from achieving universal health coverage. The statistic that “more than 1 in 5 Texans (21.6%) lack health insurance” among working-age adults clearly indicates a failure to provide health coverage for all, which is the core of this target.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… race, ethnicity… or economic or other status.

   This target is addressed when the article points out that “Black and Hispanic Texans are disproportionately represented among those living in poverty and deep poverty.” This statement highlights the economic exclusion of specific racial and ethnic groups, which is a key concern of Target 10.2.

2. Target 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.

   The article’s analysis of income inequality, measured by the Gini index (0.479), directly relates to this target. Furthermore, its critique of Texas’s policy choices regarding low social benefit levels (TANF, SNAP) and lack of Medicaid expansion suggests that current state policies are not effectively promoting greater equality.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

SDG 1: No Poverty

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.

  The article provides precise data for this indicator. It states the overall poverty rate in Texas is 13.4% and the child poverty rate is 16%. It also specifies the deep poverty rate (6.4%), which is the proportion of the population with incomes below 50% of the poverty line.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services.

  The uninsured rate serves as a direct proxy for this indicator. The article provides specific figures: the overall uninsured rate in Texas is 16.7%, the rate for working-age adults is 21.6%, and the rate for children is 13.6%. These percentages measure the lack of health service coverage.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income.

  The article implies this indicator by discussing deep poverty, defined as “incomes below 50% of the official poverty line.” It states that 6.4% of people in Texas live in deep poverty. It also highlights that Black and Hispanic Texans are disproportionately represented in this group, providing a measure of economic exclusion for specific demographics.

• Gini Index: A primary measure of income inequality.

  Although not an official SDG indicator itself, the Gini index is a standard metric used to assess progress toward reducing inequality (Target 10.4). The article explicitly states, “The newly released data shows that Texas’s 2024 Gini score is 0.479,” providing a quantitative measure of income inequality in the state.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: everytexan.org