2010-2014 Consolidated Plan - City of Champaign

Poverty Statistics for ChampaignAccording to U.S. Census 2000, there are 13,398 (22.1%) individuals in the City of Champaign whoseincome is below poverty level (see glossary for definition of poverty). This is comparable to the 1990poverty percentage of 22.7%. The national percentage of individuals below poverty level is 12.4%. Thelarge discrepancy between the national and local figures is primarily due to the large student populationliving in this area. Students typically do not earn as much other individuals, mainly because they do nothold full time positions. The poverty thresholds range from $8,825 to $35,572 according to age andfamily size.The percentage of the Champaign County population below the poverty level in 1999 was 16.1%,compared to 10.7% for the State of Illinois. Again, much of this is due to the large student populationthat resides here. The Champaign County figure was up from 15.6% in 1989, while the percentage ofpoverty level residents in the State dropped from 11.9% over the same period of time.Figure 4-4: Champaign County—Status of Individuals below Poverty Level25,000Number of individuals below poverty level20,00015,00010,0005,0007,66515,90116,60118,66321,01421,88522,92150 percent125 percent130 percent150 percent175 percent185 percent200 percent0Percentage of poverty levelSource: U. S. Census Bureau 2000Looking at poverty levels by race and ethnicity in Champaign County, 35.8% of Asians, 30.4% of African-Americans, 29.6% of Hispanics, and 12.1% of Whites were below the poverty level in 1999.In 2003, more than ¼ of Champaign County (27.4%) students were eligible for the free school lunchprogram, down from 33.3% in 1998. Over the same five-year period, the percentage of studentsreceiving a reduced cost lunch increased from 3.5% to 5.6%.The City of Champaign is committed to a holistic and multi-faceted approach to the reduction of poverty.The approach must begin with the provision of quality education and career development for the City’syouth. The City’s administration provides input into the development of the Champaign School District’sstrategic plan, which guides the district’s policies and programs. Staffs from the City and ChampaignSchool District meet periodically to ensure that both entities’ interests are aligned for the betterment ofthe community. For older students, Parkland College provides an economical option for continuingeducation. The community college is available for high school graduates as well as adults interested inNeeds Assessment: Non-Housing Community Development 63