Low Income

vision
status = worse

Our basic needs are met.

We have adequate income, resources and
supports to live independent lives.

36% of Travis County residents are low-income

Indicator: Percentage of Travis County residents who are low-income (below 200% of the federal poverty threshold)

Goal: Decrease the % of Travis County residents who are low-income

Target: 30% by 2017

Significance of Indicator: The Urban Institute defines people as low-income when they earn less than 200% of the federal poverty threshold. In 2011, a family was considered to be low-income if they earned 200% of the federal poverty threshold (roughly $45,622 for a family of four with two children).

what the data tell us

The percent of people locally who are low-income declined in 2011, but remained above pre-recession levels. The rate for the state and nation continued the upward trend that began in 2008. The percentage of people who are low-income in the city and the county remains higher than the percentage of low-income people across the nation. In Travis County, more than 373,000 people are living in conditions where they may not have enough money to make ends meet.

Definition: Percent of individuals living below 200% of the federal poverty threshold. Federal Poverty Thresholds, as calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau can be accessed here.

Data Source: American Community Survey, 1 Year Estimates

Data Considerations: The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation’s population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.

the story behind the indicator

Most low-income families have at least one adult who works full-time in a job or jobs that do not provide benefits. The Urban Institute explains that many of these families may experience hardships related to food, housing and healthcare. Children are significantly more likely to be living in low-income situations than adults. People with lower incomes are: less likely to be kindergarten ready, less likely to be college-ready, more likely to smoke, more likely to be obese, less likely to have health insurance, more likely to report poor mental health , and less likely to find housing that they can afford.

some local efforts to improve this indicator

a closer look at the story behind the indicator:

Click on one of the titles below for more information.

» % of children and youth under age 18 who are low-income

Children and youth are much more likely to be living in low-income conditions than adults. While the percentage of children who are low-income declined in 2011 for the city, the county, and the MSA, the rates are still high. Forty-five percent of children and youth in Travis County were low-income and 49% of children and youth in the City of Austin were low-income.

Definition: Percent of individuals living below 200% of the federal poverty threshold. Federal Poverty Thresholds, as calculated by the U.S. Census Bureau can be accessed here.

Data Source: American Community Survey, 1 Year Estimates

Data Considerations: The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation’s population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.

» Disproportionality Ratios for Individuals Living in Poverty in Travis County, 2011

Hispanics are 3.4 times more likely than Whites and African Americans are 2.8 times more likely than Whites to be living in poverty in Travis County. Hispanics are disproportionately overrepresented in Travis County’s poverty population compared to their representation in the overall population. In 2011 the disproportionality ratio for Hispanics was 1.7 which indicates a moderate disproportion of overrepresentation.

Definition: The disproportionality ratio is calculated by dividing the representation of each racial/ethnic group that is living in poverty by their representation in the general population. Disproportionality ratios are classified as follows: Comparable Representation (rates under 1.50), Moderate Disproportion (rates between 1.50-2.49), High Disproportion (rates between 2.50-3.49), and Extreme Disproportion (rates of 3.50 and over).

Data Source: American Community Survey, 1 Year Estimates

Data Considerations: The ACS estimates population data through relatively small sample sizes. By many data collection standards, Hispanic is considered to be an ethnicity rather than a race. The African American, Asian, and Native American categories on the graph are be based on data that may include small numbers of people who also identify as Hispanic.

» % of central texas children entering kindergarten school ready by economic status,2010-2012

Children from non-low income families in Central Texas are much more likely to enter kindergarten school ready than their low income peers. From 2010-2012, 42% of low income children were school ready compared to 66% of non-low income children.

Definition: Percent of children who were assessed school ready by economic status

Data Source: E3 Alliance

Data Considerations: This data is based on a sample of students from various Central Texas school districts. There are variations in the sample size and in districts represented in the data sample across years. This data was collected during assessments done over kindergarteners’ first six to nine weeks of school. Children were assessed across four domains of child development: social/emotional, language and communication, early literacy, and mathematics. This data has been aggregated by E3 Alliance.

» Disproportionality ratios for high school graduates in austin isd by economic status

Over time economically disadvantaged students have become more proportionately represented among high school graduates in the Austin Independent School District. Looking at the graph below, one may note that the two bars on the graph are slowly moving towards 1.0 (the number that indicates exact proportionality between the percentage of students of each economic status in a class and the percentage of students of each economic status from a class that graduate from high school). While the change in graduation disproportionality ratios is very slight, this indicator is moving in the right direction.

Definition: The disproportionality ratio is calculated by dividing the representation of each racial/ethnic group among high school graduates by their representation in each graduating class. Disproportionality ratios are classified as follows: Comparable Representation (rates under 1.50), Moderate Disproportion (rates between 1.50-2.49), High Disproportion (rates between 2.50-3.49), and Extreme Disproportion (rates of 3.50 and over).

Data Source: Texas Education Agency

Data Considerations: This data only includes students who graduated from high school in four years. It does not include students who received their GEDs.

» Travis County graduates who are college ready by economic status

Economically disadvantaged students are much less likely to graduate from high school college ready than non-economically disadvantaged students. For the Class of 2010, 25% of economically disadvantaged graduates in Travis County were college ready compared to 63% of non-economically disadvantaged students.

Definition: Percent of high school graduates who scored at or above the criterion score on both the TAKS, SAT, or ACT English language arts and mathematics tests. To learn more about college readiness criterion visit the TEA’s website, here. Travis County is here defined as an aggregate of data from school districts that are located either wholly or partly within Travis County: Austin, Del Valle, Eanes, Lago Vista, Lake Travis, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville, and Round Rock.

Data Source: Texas Education Agency. Data was aggregated by the E3 Alliance

Data Considerations: This data does not include the college readiness rates of high school seniors who dropped out, continued high school, or received a GED.

» % of adults in travis county who are current smokers, by income

People with low-incomes are much more likely to smoke than people with higher incomes. In 2011, 28% of people with incomes less than $25,000 in Travis County were smokers compared to 19% of people with incomes between $25,000 and $74,999 and 4% of people with incomes over $75,000.

Definition: Adults ages 18 and older who smoke everyday or some days and have smoked 100 cigarettes in their lifetime by income

Data Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Data Considerations: The BRFSS collects data through phone interviews. In 2011 the surveying process was expanded to include people with cell phones as well as people with landlines. As a result, the 2011 data is not comparable to previous BRFSS data.

» % of adults in travis county who are obese by income, 2011

Obesity rates are higher for people with lower incomes. In 2011, 25% of adults with incomes less than $25,000 were obese compared to 21% of adults with incomes between $25,000 and $74,999 and 16% of adults with incomes over $75,000.

Definition: Adults ages 18 and up who have a body mass index of 30 or more by income

Data Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Data Considerations: The BRFSS collects data through phone interviews. In 2011 the surveying process was expanded to include people with cell phones as well as people with landlines. As a result, the 2011 data is not comparable to previous BRFSS data.

» % of adults in Travis County who Report Poor Mental Health by Income, 2011

People with low-incomes report higher levels of poor mental health. In 2011 one of our four adults in Travis County with incomes less than $25,000 reported poor mental health. This compares to 16% of adults with incomes between $25,000 and $74,999 and 13% of adults with incomes of $75,000 or higher.

Definition: Adults who report to have had five or more days of poor mental health

Data Source: Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Data Considerations: The BRFSS collects data through phone interviews. In 2011 the surveying process was expanded to include people with cell phones as well as people with landlines. As a result, the 2011 data is not comparable to previous BRFSS data.

» % of Individuals in Travis County Under the age of 65 with no Health Insurance Coverage by Economic Status, 2011

In 2011, 35% of Travis County’s low-income residents were uninsured. This compares to 12% of Travis County residents who were not low-income. The percentage of low-income individuals who were uninsured dropped for every jurisdiction on this graph from 2010 to 2011.

Definition: Under 65 years with no private or public health insurance coverage for the civilian non-institutionalized population by economic status

Data Source: American Community Survey, 1 Year Estimates

Data Considerations:The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation’s population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.

» map of low-income population concentrations

This map shows where low-income populations are concentrated across the five-county region. Travis County's low-income populations are strongly concentrated in the east side of the county. Other areas where 50% or more of the population are low-income (indicated by purple) include Georgetown and San Marcos along the I-35 corridor, Del Valle and the western part of Bastrop County along the Highway 71 corridor, and Manor north of the 290 corridor. Low-income rates in areas surrounding the University of Texas and Texas State University may be skewed due to large student populations with limited personal income.

Definition: Percent of individuals living below 200% of the federal poverty level. Federal Poverty Guidelines can be accessed here.

Data Source: American Community Survey Five-Year Estimates (2005-2009). Map was produced by City of Austin Demographer Ryan Robinson.

Data Considerations: The American Community Survey samples 3% of the Nation's population. Due to small sample sizes, margins of error are increased and hard to reach populations may not be accurately represented in the data.

» % of individuals who are food-insecure

In 2010, 17% of individuals in Travis County were food insecure. Food insecurity rates in the Austin region are slightly lower than the overall rate for the State of Texas.

Definition: Individuals who, at times, lack access to enough food for an active, healthy life and have limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.

Data Source:Feeding America; Map the Meal Gap, Food Insecurity in Your County

Data Considerations: The food insecurity rate is calculated by Feeding America using set variables. There are variables that may affect food security rates that were not included in the calculation. The calculation also relies on data from the Current Population Survey which uses small sample sizes.

» % of children and youth who are food-insecure

Nearly a quarter (24%) of all children and youth in Travis County are food insecure. This means that in 2010, 56,100 Travis County children and youth were food insecure. Travis County greatly outnumbers surrounding counties in the number of food secure child and youth residents, but has a lower food insecurity rate than Bastrop County, Caldwell County, and the State of Texas.

Definition: Children and youth under the age of 18 who, at times, lack access to enough food for an active, healthy life and have limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.

Data Source:Feeding America; Map the Meal Gap, Food Insecurity in Your County

Data Considerations: The food insecurity rate is calculated by Feeding America using set variables. There are variables that may affect food security rates that were not included in the calculation. The calculation also relies on data from the Current Population Survey which uses small sample sizes.

» safety net options for food insecure individuals in Travis County in 2010

Of the 162,440 food insecure Travis County residents, it is estimated that 58% are eligible for SNAP, 7% may be eligible for government programs such as the child nutrition program or WIC, and 36% are not eligible for nutrition programs. This means that more than one-third of all food insecure individuals in Travis County must rely on charitable response as their only safety net option during times of hunger. Additionally, while 58% of food insecure people are eligible for SNAP, it is estimated that more than half of the people eligible for SNAP in Travis County are not enrolled in the program.

Definition: Individuals identified as SNAP eligible reside in households that are below 130% of the federal poverty threshold, individuals identified as potentially eligible for other government programs such as Child Nutrition and WIC reside in households between 130-285% of the federal poverty threshold, and individuals who are not eligible for government nutrition programs reside in households with incomes above 185% of the federal poverty threshold.

Data Source:Feeding America; Map the Meal Gap, Food Insecurity in Your County

Data Considerations: These estimates are based on food insecurity rate estimates calculated by Feeding America using set variables. There are variables that may affect food security rates that were not included in the calculation. The calculation also relies on data from the Current Population Survey which uses small sample sizes.

» map showing highest volume of calls to 2-1-1 for food pantries

The 2-1-1 Navigation Center improves Central Texans' lives by creating one central access point for an array of community resources in our 10-county region. In 2012, the following zip codes had the highest volume of calls to 2-1-1 for food pantries: 78660, 78664, 78702, 78704, 78721, 78723, 78724, 78728, 78741, 78744, 78745, 78748, 78752, 78753, and 78758. The zip codes with high volumes of need primarily extend along the I-35 corridor from far south in Travis County to Round Rock in Williamson county.

Definition: ZIP codes for which 2-1-1 reported high numbers of calls for food pantry information in 2012

Data Source: United Way for Greater Austin 2-1-1 Navigation Center

Data Considerations: ZIP codes with large population concentrations are also likely to have higher call volumes to 2-1-1. ZIP codes with lesser call volumes may actually have disproportionately higher food pantry needs.

» map of travis county food landscape

Full-service grocery stores in Travis County tend to hug the I-35 corridor. Five zip codes do not have a single full-service grocery store: 78617, 78653, 78721, 78725, and 78744. The United Way for Greater Austin 2-1-1 Navigation Center reports that the 78744 and 78721 zip codes are also zip codes in the area with a high volume of calls to 2-1-1 for food pantries.

Definition: Grocery and convenience stores located in Travis County.

Data Source: Map was produced by the Sustainable Food Center. Data was provided by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, City of Austin, Capital Area Council of Governments, and the Texas State Data Center.

Data Considerations: The report that originally published this map was produced in 2011. It is likely that not all currently existing grocery and convenience stores in Travis County are represented on this map.

» map of areas in Travis County with a general lack of Food Establishments

Representatives of the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department report that there are three areas of Travis County that have a general lack of food establishments:

  • Jonestown
  • Lago Vista
  • The area bordered by I-45/I-30/183/290/County Line

vulnerable populations

An analysis of poverty data by Travis County's Research and Planning Department found that the following populations are more likely to live in poverty:

The Urban Institute defines people as low-income when they earn less than 200% of the federal poverty threshold. In 2011, a family was considered to be low-income if they earned 200% of the federal poverty threshold (roughly $45,622 for a family of four with two children). Broad data analyses indicate that that the same populations living in poverty are also the ones who are likely to be low-income.

turning the curve

The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, the Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, the City of Austin Downtown Austin Plan, the City of Austin Comprehensive Housing Market Study, and the City of Austin's Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department's FY2009-2014 Consolidated Plan recommend expanding the availability of affordable housing for very low-income and moderate income households and creating additional permanent supportive housing units.

The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition's 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness, Austin Community College (ACC) District's Facilities Master Plan, and the Community Action Network's (CAN) Frequently Asked Questions about Basic Needs suggest different approaches to strengthening workforce development efforts targeted at the people who are low-income in our community. ECHO recommends expanding workforce development programs that address the issue of insufficient wages and that are targeted at the homeless in our community; ACC recommends locating workforce development programs in areas where there are high concentrations of low-income people; and CAN's document recommends using economic development incentives for employers as a means to increase workers' skills and wages.

The Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan,the City of Austin's Neighborhood Housing and Community Development Department's FY2009-2014 Consolidated Plan , and the Community Action Network's (CAN) Frequently Asked Questions about Basic Needs recommend ensuring that low-income working families have adequate work supports. Some examples of work supports are Earned Income Tax Credits, childcare assistance, public health insurance coverage, and housing assistance.

Access to good paying jobs is one way to turn the curve on this indicator. The dashboard page on unemployment has other related recommendations for turning the curve.