ECONOMICS & STABILITY
38% of Community members named economic issues and poverty as their leading issue.
why it matters
-
Economic issues and poverty emerged as Greater Akron’s leading community concern: 38% of participants in Akron Community Foundation’s On the Table Greater Akron assessment identified it as a top issue.
-
This concern is consistent with Summit County Public Health data showing persistent poverty in the county and substantially higher rates in the city of Akron, as well as ALICE findings that capture households earning above the federal poverty line but still unable to afford basic necessities.
-
We measure this through the ALICE Threshold, which means Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed: people who earn above the federal poverty line but still do not earn enough to afford a basic household budget. The threshold is not one universal number; it varies by county, year, and household type (for example, a single adult versus a family with children).
Akron by the numbers
67,800
Residents living below the poverty line.
12.8%
Of Summit County is considered within the overall Poverty Rate.
18%
of children under the age of 18 live in households that's income comes below the poverty line.
52.6%
of senior renters spend 30% or more of income on rent.
38%
of Community members named economic issues and poverty as their leading issue.
11.5%
key informants citing poverty as a barrier to health and quality of life.
Resources
prayer
Need prayer