Poverty

Recently, many people have posed the question, “Does hunger exist in America?”  The answer might surprise you.  Although America is one of the richest nations in the world, hunger still exists in our Country.  More importantly, it exists in Ohio and in Jefferson County.  Urban Mission is committed to help relieve the hunger and poverty that families face.  Below are just some of the statistics that show how large the scope of hunger and poverty are in Ohio and Jefferson County.

From the year 2000-2002, the number of requests for food assistance in Ohio more than doubled from 2 million to 4.5 million.  These are alarming numbers.  Jefferson county is the second largest consumer of Food bank food and is the sixth most populous of the 20 counties served by Mid-Ohio Food Bank.

The population of Jefferson County is 72,855 with a poverty rate of 15.1%.  There are currently 11,001 people living below the poverty rate. Jefferson County is also home to 18 feeding programs, 13 food pantries, 4 soup kitchens and 1 youth group all seeking to fight hunger in our County.  There are 5,624 individual requests for food each month.

Jefferson County   Poundage   Food Requests at Pantries  Meals at Soup Kitchen

1st half 2001         527,202         30,266                                8,702

1st half of 2002     695,781         33,742 (5,624/mo)             10,075

Increase                 32%              12%                                   16%

52,295 meals per month, 2002 (12% increase)

In Jefferson County:  36% of food requests are for children, 14% are for senior citizens

                      MEAN VALUE OF HOMES
County State USA
Jefferson 65,400 103,700 119,600
Brooke 67,000 72,800 119,600
Hancock 70,500 72,800 119,600
Columbiana 79,800 103,700 119,600
Harrison 58,400 103,700 119,600
Belmont 64,600 1,037,000 119,600

MEAN INCOME AND PER CAPITA INCOME

County Per Cap State Per Cap Country Per Cap
Jefferson 30,853 16,476 40,956 21,003 41,994 21,587
Brooke 32,981 17,131 29,696 16,477 41,994 21,587
Hancock 33,759 17,724 29,696 16,477 41,994 21,587
Columbiana 34,226 16,655 40,956 21,003 41,994 21,587
Harrison 30,318 16,479 40,956 21,003 41,994 21,587
Belmont 29,714 16,221 40,956 21,003 41,994 21,587

POVERTY RATES PER COUNTY

Pop % Poverty Actual Number Children Sr. Citizens
Jefferson 72,855 15.1 11,001 36% -3,960 14% – 1,540
Brooke 25,117 11.7 2,939
Hancock 32,258 11.1 3,581
Columbiana 111,678 11.5 12,843
Harrison 15,886 13.3 2,113
Belmont 69,451 14.6 10,140
 Totals (327,245) (12.88) (42,617)