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The child poverty rate in Syracuse decreased significantly in 2024, according to a new census report. The rate fell by more than seven percentage points, landing at 40.9%, which is the fourth-highest in the nation among cities with populations over 100,000. This decline translates to about 10,000 children living below the poverty line, defined as an income of $31,812 for a family of four in 2024.
Despite the improvement, Syracuse remains a city with one of the highest child poverty rates in the United States. The city's poverty rate has been declining since its peak of 54.7% in 2012, although fluctuations occur annually. The census estimates consider earnings, unemployment benefits, and cash aid but exclude non-cash benefits like food stamps and tax credits.
Syracuse.com reports that the overall poverty rate in the city also improved, dropping to 26% in 2024. This improvement ranks Syracuse eleventh in the nation for overall poverty rates, affecting approximately 33,000 people.
Efforts to combat poverty in Syracuse include initiatives funded by state and federal programs. The New York State Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council aims to reduce child poverty by half by 2031. As noted by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, poverty rates dropped during the pandemic due to expanded government programs, but have since risen as those measures expired.
The city continues to face challenges, including rising rents and increasing family homelessness, which have been exacerbated since the pandemic. The Salvation Army and other local organizations are working to address these issues, though resources remain limited.