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Complete Health Indicator Report of Utah Population Characteristics: Poverty, Children Age 17 and Under

Definition

Percentage of children age 17 and younger living in households with income at or below the federal poverty threshold.

Numerator

Estimated number of children age 17 and younger living in households with income at or below the federal poverty threshold as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Denominator

Estimated number age 17 and younger in Utah.

Data Interpretation Issues

Poverty status is determined by comparing annual income to a set of dollar values called thresholds that vary by family size, number of children, and age of householder. If a family's before tax money income is less than the dollar value of their threshold, then that family and every individual in it are considered to be in poverty. For people not living in families, poverty status is determined by comparing the individual's income to his or her threshold. The poverty thresholds are updated annually to allow for changes in the cost of living using the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). They do not vary geographically. The poverty threshold for a family of four including two children was $29, 678 in 2022.

Why Is This Important?

Poverty takes into account both income and family size, and has both immediate and long-lasting effects on health. Income provides an assessment of the financial resources available to individual persons or families for basic necessities (e.g., food, clothing, and healthcare) to maintain or improve their well-being. Persons living in poverty are worse off than persons in more affluent households for many of the indicators tracked by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Poverty in the early years of a child's life, more than at any other time, has especially harmful effects on continuing healthy development and well-being, including developmental delays and infant mortality. Well-being in later childhood, such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and educational attainment, is also influenced by early childhood poverty.

Other Objectives

Utah's 42 Community Health Indicators

How Are We Doing?

According to the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE), an estimated 8.5% of Utah children aged 17 or under (approximately 78,360 Utah children) were living in poverty in 2022. Children born into poverty are less likely to have regular health care, proper nutrition, and opportunities for mental stimulation and enrichment.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Utah has a lower percentage of children in poverty than the U.S. as a whole, 8.5% vs. 16.3% in 2022.

What Is Being Done?

While the Utah Department of Health has no program designed to reduce the number of children in poverty, there are programs such as Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) that pay for health care for eligible children.

Available Services

For information on the Medicaid program: [[br]] In the Salt Lake City area, call 801-538-6155.[[br]] In Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, and Nevada, call toll-free 1-800-662-9651.[[br]] From other states, call 1-801-538-6155.[[br]] Medicaid Customer Service staff are available to take inquiries.[[br]] Or visit the Utah Medicaid website:[[br]] [https://medicaid.utah.gov][[br]] [[br]] For information on CHIP:[[br]] Call the Health Resource Line: 1-888-222-2542[[br]] Or visit the their websites:[[br]] CHIP: Children's Health Insurance Program (for children 0-18) -[[br]] [https://chip.health.utah.gov/][[br]] Voices for Utah Children is a private, not-for-profit organization that advocates for children. Information about their activities may be found on their website - [http://www.utahchildren.org]


Related Indicators

Relevant Population Characteristics

Being a younger or single parent increases the risk of living in poverty.

Related Relevant Population Characteristics Indicators:


Health Care System Factors

Families in poverty are less likely to have private health insurance coverage. Many children living at or near the poverty level are eligible for public health insurance programs, such as Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program).

Related Health Care System Factors Indicators:


Risk Factors

One of the best ways for adults to avoid poverty is to get a good education. Adolescents who give birth are more likely to live in poverty since they are more likely to limit their education. The association between poverty and health status is probably bi-directional. That is, persons with chronic mental or physical illness are less able to achieve their educational goals and get good jobs. At the same time, persons who have lower incomes are less able to afford health care and may have less healthy lifestyles. For instance, persons with lower education and income levels are more likely to smoke cigarettes and less likely to get regular exercise.

Related Risk Factors Indicators:


Health Status Outcomes

Low socio-economic status is a risk factor for many diseases and health problems for persons of all ages. Children in poverty are at higher risk for health problems such as asthma and dental disease. Children in poverty are also at increased risk of hunger and poor performance in school. An important goal of services to children in poverty is to break the "cycle of poverty" in which children in poverty are raised in conditions that promote poverty in adulthood.

Related Health Status Outcomes Indicators:




Graphical Data Views

Percentage of children in poverty by year, Utah and U.S., 1995-2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

The data for this graph come from the Current Population Survey (CPS) for years 1995-2007, from the American Community Survey (ACS) for years 2008-2016 and from Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) for years 2017-2022
Utah vs. U.S.YearPercentage of childrenLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 56
Utah199510.5%9.4%11.6%
Utah199611.3%9.3%13.3%
Utah199712.5%10.4%14.5%
Utah199814.0%9.9%18.1%
Utah19997.1%4.2%10.0%
Utah200011.6%8.0%15.2%
Utah200112.5%9.7%15.3%
Utah200212.5%9.9%15.1%
Utah200312.4%10.8%14.0%
Utah200413.2%11.4%15.0%
Utah200511.8%10.1%13.5%
Utah200612.6%10.9%14.3%
Utah200712.6%10.9%14.3%
Utah200810.5%9.7%11.3%
Utah200912.2%11.2%13.2%
Utah201015.7%14.7%16.7%
Utah201115.9%14.7%17.1%
Utah201215.1%13.9%16.3%
Utah201314.8%13.8%15.8%
Utah201413.3%12.2%14.4%
Utah201512.9%10.8%11.8%
Utah201611.1%10.2%12.0%
Utah201710.6%9.9%11.3%
Utah20189.7%9.0%10.4%
Utah20199.6%8.9%10.3%
Utah20207.5%6.8%8.2%
Utah20218.5%7.9%9.1%
Utah20228.5%7.8%9.2%
U.S.199520.8%20.1%21.5%
U.S.199620.5%19.8%21.1%
U.S.199719.9%19.2%20.6%
U.S.199818.9%18.2%19.6%
U.S.199916.9%16.2%17.6%
U.S.200016.1%15.5%16.7%
U.S.200116.3%15.8%16.8%
U.S.200216.7%16.2%17.2%
U.S.200317.6%17.3%17.9%
U.S.200417.8%17.5%18.1%
U.S.200517.6%17.3%17.9%
U.S.200617.4%17.1%17.7%
U.S.200718.0%17.7%18.3%
U.S.200818.2%18.0%18.4%
U.S.200920.0%19.8%20.2%
U.S.201021.6%21.4%21.8%
U.S.201122.5%22.3%22.7%
U.S.201222.6%22.4%22.8%
U.S.201322.2%22.0%22.4%
U.S.201421.7%21.5%21.9%
U.S.201520.7%20.5%20.9%
U.S.201619.5%19.3%19.7%
U.S.201718.4%18.2%18.6%
U.S.201818.0%17.8%18.2%
U.S.201916.8%16.6%17.0%
U.S.202015.7%15.7%15.7%
U.S.202116.9%16.7%17.1%
U.S.202216.3%16.1%16.5%

Data Notes

Both the ACS and CPS data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value.

Data Sources

  • U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates, Model-based Estimates for States, Counties, & School Districts
  • U.S. Current Population Survey
  • U.S. Bureau of the Census
  • American Community Survey


Percentage of children in poverty by county, Utah, 2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

CountyPercentage of childrenLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 31
Beaver13.2%8.8%17.6%
Box Elder9.1%6.5%11.7%
Cache9.5%7.5%11.5%
Carbon16.8%11.3%22.3%
Daggett8.9%6.1%11.7%
Davis6.8%5.3%8.3%
Duchesne17.0%12.3%21.7%
Emery14.8%10.3%19.3%
Garfield14.3%9.4%19.2%
Grand14.1%9.5%18.7%
Iron13.5%9.1%17.9%
Juab10.2%6.8%13.6%
Kane10.0%6.6%13.4%
Millard14.1%9.3%18.9%
Morgan3.6%2.4%4.8%
Piute25.9%17.3%34.5%
Rich11.6%7.7%15.5%
Salt Lake8.4%6.8%10.0%
San Juan29.0%21.7%36.3%
Sanpete18.4%14.1%22.7%
Sevier13.4%8.9%17.9%
Summit5.1%3.4%6.8%
Tooele7.1%5.0%9.2%
Uintah14.6%10.1%19.1%
Utah5.9%4.5%7.3%
Wasatch5.6%3.8%7.4%
Washington13.0%10.1%15.9%
Wayne18.6%12.5%24.7%
Weber10.4%7.8%13.0%
State8.5%7.8%9.2%
U.S.16.3%16.1%16.5%

Data Notes

For information on how SAIPE estimates are created, please see: [https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/saipe/technical-documentation/methodology.html].

Data Source

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates, Model-based Estimates for States, Counties, & School Districts


Child poverty by local health district, Utah, 2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Local Health DistrictPercentage of childrenLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 15
Bear River9.4%7.8%11.0%
Central14.8%12.7%16.9%
Davis County6.8%5.3%8.3%
Salt Lake County8.4%6.8%10.0%
San Juan29.0%21.7%36.3%
Southeast15.7%12.4%19.0%
Southwest13.0%10.8%15.2%
Summit5.1%3.4%6.8%
Tooele7.1%5.0%9.2%
TriCounty15.4%12.1%18.7%
Utah County5.9%4.5%7.3%
Wasatch5.6%3.8%7.4%
Weber-Morgan10.0%7.5%12.5%
State of Utah8.5%7.8%9.2%
U.S.16.3%16.1%16.5%

Data Notes

The poverty threshold for a family of four including two children was $29,678 in 2022.

Data Source

U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates, Model-based Estimates for States, Counties, & School Districts


Percentage of children in poverty by race and age group, Utah, 2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Data from the 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimate. Table B17020A-E
RaceEth: Am. Indian, Asian, Black, Pacific Is, WhiteAge GroupPercentage of childrenLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 15
American IndianUnder 6 years20.7%11.3%30.1%
American Indian6 to 11 years19.1%10.6%27.6%
American Indian12 to 17 years14.8%8.2%21.4%
AsianUnder 6 years16.1%3.9%28.3%
Asian6 to 11 years5.1%1.1%9.1%
Asian12 to 17 years20.4%11.3%29.5%
BlackUnder 6 years37.8%19.8%55.8%
Black6 to 11 years2.6%0.0%7.8%
Black12 to 17 years2.6%0.0%5.8%
Pacific IslanderUnder 6 years8.1%0.0%16.5%
Pacific Islander6 to 11 years15.3%1.6%29.0%
Pacific Islander12 to 17 years18.4%3.2%33.6%
WhiteUnder 6 years8.6%6.9%10.3%
White6 to 11 years6.9%5.6%8.2%
White12 to 17 years6.0%4.8%7.2%

Data Notes

Persons in race categories are only those who selected a single race. The ACS data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value.

Data Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of the Census
  • American Community Survey


Percentage of children in poverty by Hispanic ethnicity and age group, Utah, 2022

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Data from the 2022 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimate. Table B17020H-I
Ethnicity/RaceAge GroupPercentage of childrenLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 6
Hispanic or LatinoUnder 6 years16.3%12.5%20.1%
Hispanic or Latino6 to 11 years16.3%13.1%19.5%
Hispanic or Latino12 to 17 years10.8%7.0%14.6%
White, Non-HispanicUnder 6 years7.7%6.1%9.3%
White, Non-Hispanic6 to 11 years6.3%5.1%7.5%
White, Non-Hispanic12 to 17 years5.3%4.3%6.3%

Data Notes

Hispanic persons may be of any race. The ACS data are based on a sample and are subject to sampling variability. The degree of uncertainty for an estimate arising from sampling variability is represented through the use of a margin of error. The value shown here is the 90 percent margin of error. The margin of error can be interpreted roughly as providing 90 percent probability that the interval defined by the estimate minus the margin of error and the estimate plus the margin of error (the lower and upper confidence bounds) contains the true value.

Data Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of the Census
  • American Community Survey


Percentage of children in poverty by Utah Small Area, 2018-2022 ACS 5-year estimate

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Data from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimate. Table S1701
Utah Small AreasPercentage of childrenLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 104
Brigham City7.1%3.5%10.7%
Box Elder Co (Other) V29.3%4.8%13.8%
Tremonton10.3%6.3%14.3%
Logan V214.5%10.8%18.2%
North Logan29.7%20.9%38.5%
Cache (Other)/Rich (All) V25.0%2.1%7.9%
Hyrum9.4%1.5%17.3%
Smithfield8.6%3.3%13.9%
Ben Lomond10.0%6.4%13.6%
Weber County (East)4.1%2.3%5.9%
Morgan County1.3%0.0%2.7%*
Ogden (Downtown)11.0%7.9%14.1%
South Ogden7.4%5.0%9.8%
Roy/Hooper9.4%5.9%12.9%
Riverdale8.7%4.9%12.5%
Clearfield Area/Hooper10.8%7.8%13.8%
Layton/South Weber10.7%6.5%14.9%
Kaysville/Fruit Heights3.0%0.9%5.1%
Syracuse8.5%1.6%15.4%
Centerville0.5%-0.2%1.2%
Farmington4.1%0.2%8.0%
North Salt Lake2.8%0.1%5.5%
Woods Cross/West Bountiful9.6%2.5%16.7%
Bountiful9.6%5.5%13.7%
SLC (Rose Park)20.1%12.2%28.0%
SLC (Avenues)7.7%4.0%11.4%
SLC (Foothill/East Bench)5.8%1.6%10.0%
Magna10.1%5.2%15.0%
SLC (Glendale) V219.2%11.3%27.1%
West Valley (Center)17.2%11.2%23.2%
West Valley (West) V27.2%4.1%10.3%
West Valley (East) V220.0%14.2%25.8%
SLC (Downtown) V219.6%11.9%27.3%
SLC (Southeast Liberty)8.8%1.3%16.3%
South Salt Lake20.2%11.2%29.2%
SLC (Sugar House)6.4%2.9%9.9%
Millcreek (South)2.8%0.8%4.8%
Millcreek (East)2.2%0.4%4.0%
Holladay V28.3%3.6%13.0%
Cottonwood7.4%4.3%10.5%
Kearns V212.0%7.5%16.5%
Taylorsville (E)/Murray (W)11.0%5.8%16.2%
Taylorsville (West)11.7%5.4%18.0%
Murray11.6%7.8%15.4%
Midvale10.3%4.8%15.8%
West Jordan (Northeast) V210.9%6.8%15.0%
West Jordan (Southeast)8.1%5.8%10.4%
West Jordan (W)/Copperton5.7%3.0%8.4%
South Jordan V21.9%0.5%3.3%
Daybreak2.9%1.2%4.6%
Sandy (West)5.1%1.8%8.4%
Sandy (Center) V24.6%1.5%7.7%
Sandy (Northeast)6.5%2.7%10.3%
Sandy (Southeast)2.5%1.0%4.0%
Draper3.5%1.0%6.0%
Riverton/Bluffdale3.3%1.5%5.1%
Herriman4.6%2.0%7.2%
Tooele County (Other)8.3%3.9%12.7%
Tooele Valley3.0%1.6%4.4%
Eagle Mountain/Cedar Valley3.3%1.5%5.1%
Lehi5.7%3.5%7.9%
Saratoga Springs4.8%2.5%7.1%
American Fork4.4%2.6%6.2%
Alpine6.2%0.4%12.0%
Pleasant Grove/Lindon6.8%4.1%9.5%
Orem (North)12.6%7.4%17.8%
Orem (West)9.1%6.1%12.1%
Orem (East)2.7%1.4%4.0%
Provo/BYU15.6%11.0%20.2%
Provo (West City Center)16.2%11.2%21.2%
Provo (East City Center)21.4%14.8%28.0%
Salem City5.8%2.1%9.5%
Spanish Fork6.8%4.8%8.8%
Springville6.6%3.6%9.6%
Mapleton3.0%0.0%6.0%
Utah County (South) V27.7%3.8%11.6%
Payson5.3%2.8%7.8%
Park City3.9%1.6%6.2%
Summit County (East)8.9%2.3%15.5%
Wasatch County6.7%4.3%9.1%*
Daggett and Uintah County12.3%8.0%16.6%
Duchesne County17.9%13.6%22.2%*
Nephi/Mona9.1%4.9%13.3%
Delta/Fillmore17.6%10.1%25.1%
Sanpete Valley20.3%12.9%27.7%
Central (Other)13.6%9.8%17.4%
Richfield/Monroe/Salina14.0%8.2%19.8%
Carbon County18.8%12.2%25.4%*
Emery County18.0%12.5%23.5%*
Grand County18.2%10.8%25.6%*
Blanding/Monticello11.6%4.7%18.5%
San Juan County (Other)35.0%22.9%47.1%
St. George9.8%7.0%12.6%
Washington Co (Other) V216.5%1.8%31.2%
Washington City2.5%0.0%5.0%
Hurricane/La Verkin18.2%9.2%27.2%
Ivins/Santa Clara12.3%6.1%18.5%
Cedar City10.9%6.9%14.9%
Southwest LHD (Other)13.4%4.3%22.5%
State of Utah8.8%8.4%9.2%
U.S.16.7%16.5%16.9%

Data Notes

Confidence intervals are 90%. [[br]] *Small areas that are also counties use the ACS county estimate.[[br]]

Data Sources

  • U.S. Bureau of the Census
  • American Community Survey

More Resources and Links

Additional indicator data by state and county may be found on these websites:

Medical literature can be queried at PubMed library.

Page Content Updated On 01/09/2024, Published on 07/25/2024
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH website (https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Tue, 05 November 2024 1:00:27 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health website: https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/ ".

Content updated: Fri, 26 Jul 2024 17:57:40 MDT