What do we know about children in poverty? Official data for children under 18
In 2024, the poverty rate for children under 18 was 14.3%.
Children under 18 represented 28.8% of the poor.
Sources:
Emily A. Shrider and Christina Bijou,
Poverty in the United States: 2024. U.S. Census Bureau.
Current Population Reports P60-287, U.S. Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC, 2015. Accessed 12/18/2025
Growing up in poverty may have long-term impacts beyond the
chance of a better financial future. The stress of early-life
poverty may in fact be associated with serious health problems
well into adulthood.
Ongoing research by Center Graduate Student Fellow Natalie Troxel
and Faculty Affiliate Paul Hastings examines the association
between poverty and compromised adult health, which may have
implications for healthcare costs in the U.S.
