Economic Security
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What does this measure?

The proportion of people in various racial and ethnic groups with incomes below the poverty line. Poverty thresholds vary by family composition and year. In 2021, the threshold for a four-person family with two children was $27,479.

Why is this important?

The percentage of people in poverty in various racial and ethnic groups is a measure of the overall economic health of these groups and may reflect disparities in access to economic opportunity. It also indicates the level of need for social and government supports.

How is our region performing?

Poverty rates were highest in the region in 2017-21 among African American and Hispanic residents, at 31% and 28% respectively, compared to Asian residents at 14% and white residents at 9%. African Americans and Hispanics in New York State also had higher poverty rates than their white and Asian counterparts. Our region's disparities were larger than the state's with a 22-point gap between African American and white residents, compared to a 10-point gap in the state and 12 points in the nation. Poverty rates were little changed across all groups compared to 2000.

For all groups, rates were higher in the City of Rochester: 36% for African American residents, 37% for Hispanic residents, 27% for Asian residents, and 22% of white residents. In the other counties in the region, populations of these groups were generally too small for reliable estimates of the poverty rate.

Why do these disparities exist?

These large and persistent disparities in poverty rates are the result of historic and current policies and practices that disadvantaged people of color. Research has connected slavery and the inability of black Americans even after emancipation to fully participate in economic life to the wealth and income gaps still present today. In addition, these differences are attributed to the complex interplay of conditions including gender, occupation, family structure, education, employment status, wages, incarceration, unemployment and discrimination. African American workers across industries tend to earn lower wages than their white and Asian American peers. While education, especially the absence of a high school diploma, increases the likelihood of poverty, education credentials do not eliminate racial disparities. African Americans experience unemployment at twice the rate of whites regardless of education level. Also, the disproportionate and systemic incarceration of Black and Latino males decreases job prospects and increases the likelihood of poverty.

Notes about the data

The multi-year figures are from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey. The bureau combined five years of responses to the survey to provide estimates for smaller geographic areas and increase the precision of its estimates. However, because the information came from a survey, the samples responding to the survey were not always large enough to produce reliable results, especially in small geographic areas. CGR has noted on data tables the estimates with relatively large margins of error. Estimates with three asterisks have the largest margins, plus or minus 50% or more of the estimate. Two asterisks mean plus or minus 35%-50%, and one asterisk means plus or minus 20%-35%. For all estimates, the confidence level is 90%, meaning there is 90% probability the true value (if the whole population were surveyed) would be within the margin of error (or confidence interval).

The survey provides data on characteristics of the population that used to be collected only during the decennial census. Poverty status is not reported for people in institutions, including college dormitories and military barracks, and people in living situations without conventional housing. Data for this indicator are expected to be released in the fourth quarter.

People Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS14%20%20%10%
NYS (excluding NYC)11%20%15%9%
Region14%31%28%9%
Monroe15%32%29%9%
Surrounding Counties9%*23%26%10%
Genesee23%***23%**25%*9%
Livingston9%***23%***31%**11%
Ontario5%***18%**20%*8%
Orleans2%***17%***41%**13%
Seneca10%***28%***26%**11%
Wayne11%***28%*21%**10%
Wyoming1%***36%***36%**9%
Yates15%***45%***38%**12%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester27%**36%37%22%
Brighton10%***19%***10%***7%*
Chili0%***15%***11%***5%*
Clarkson0%***0%***25%***11%***
East Rochester8%***0%***4%***10%**
Gates9%***2%***23%***7%*
Greece11%***32%**18%**8%*
Hamlin0%***2%***11%***9%*
Henrietta19%**13%***19%**9%*
Irondequoit31%***18%**22%**6%*
Mendon0%***25%***36%***6%***
Ogden0%***0%***45%***7%**
Parma25%***36%***15%***5%**
Penfield1%***5%***15%***3%*
Perinton6%***9%***3%***5%*
Pittsford1%***2%***5%***3%*
Riga0%***3%***0%***7%***
Rush0%***28%***0%***3%**
Sweden55%***50%***43%***15%*
Webster21%***28%***4%***4%*
Wheatland0%***52%***39%***12%**
Brockport (V)82%***69%***37%***18%*
Churchville (V)0%***0%***0%***5%***
Fairport (V)0%***60%***0%***12%***
Hilton (V)N/A***40%***41%***7%***
Honeoye Falls (V)0%***6%***100%***10%***
Pittsford (V)0%***0%***3%***1%***
Scottsville (V)0%***78%***45%***12%***
Spencerport (V)0%***0%***100%***5%***
Webster (V)0%***80%***5%***12%**
Regional Cities
Batavia35%***19%***30%**14%
Canandaigua0%***14%***12%***7%*
Geneva11%***22%***31%**15%*

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.




Number of People Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS239,259594,084766,7371,194,451
NYS (excluding NYC)51,449186,673200,400762,504
Region4,43736,19923,88889,254
Monroe4,07334,27919,41248,797
Surrounding Counties364*1,9204,47640,457
Genesee95***250**492*4,952
Livingston55***158***553**5,888
Ontario71***394**1,034*7,789
Orleans6***222***782**4,296
Seneca19***132***232**3,270
Wayne86***544*887**8,371
Wyoming3***151***297**3,147
Yates29***69***199**2,744
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester1,719**28,72114,35019,873
Brighton317***390***155***2,028*
Chili0***428***122***1,249*
Clarkson0***0***247***657***
East Rochester5***0***12***539**
Gates65***58***391***1,553*
Greece276***2,640**1,393**6,088*
Hamlin0***1***15***748*
Henrietta900**486***342**2,827*
Irondequoit322***650**1,121**2,545*
Mendon0***31***86***534***
Ogden0***0***450***1,222**
Parma13***80***104***793**
Penfield6***29***196***1,210*
Perinton76***85***63***2,075*
Pittsford12***9***44***715*
Riga0***2***0***362***
Rush0***11***0***110**
Sweden56***206***173***1,474*
Webster306***354***70***1,637*
Wheatland0***98***78***558**
Brockport (V)56***176***94***728*
Churchville (V)0***0***0***89***
Fairport (V)0***3***0***635***
Hilton (V)0***75***89***412***
Honeoye Falls (V)0***1***2***259***
Pittsford (V)0***0***6***13***
Scottsville (V)0***98***78***247***
Spencerport (V)0***0***6***165***
Webster (V)0***338***21***575**
Regional Cities
Batavia60***147***274**1,760
Canandaigua0***19***104***682*
Geneva32***179***495**1,167*

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.




People Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2000
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS17%25%28%10%
NYS (excluding NYC)10%23%19%8%
Region13%30%33%7%
Monroe12%30%34%7%
Surrounding Counties15%33%27%8%
Genesee14%36%34%7%
Livingston31%20%20%10%
Ontario5%30%30%6%
Orleans5%45%31%9%
Seneca26%35%29%11%
Wayne6%29%22%8%
Wyoming15%35%27%8%
Yates21%16%18%13%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester20%34%42%16%
Brighton13%13%30%5%
Chili7%2%9%3%
Clarkson12%16%17%4%
East Rochester50%20%8%9%
Gates7%9%3%5%
Greece8%21%10%4%
Hamlin15%31%8%5%
Henrietta26%6%23%8%
Irondequoit2%18%24%5%
Mendon0%0%0%3%
Ogden0%2%12%3%
Parma41%21%7%3%
Penfield4%1%13%3%
Perinton7%5%6%3%
Pittsford2%0%0%3%
Riga0%12%0%4%
Rush0%0%0%1%
Sweden3%7%36%13%
Webster4%10%12%4%
Wheatland0%18%0%3%
Brockport (V)6%11%41%19%
Churchville (V)0%0%0%4%
Fairport (V)0%0%0%3%
Hilton (V)45%16%0%4%
Honeoye Falls (V)0%0%0%3%
Pittsford (V)0%0%33%5%
Scottsville (V)0%0%0%2%
Spencerport (V)0%N/A0%2%
Webster (V)6%22%27%10%
Regional Cities
Batavia22%47%44%11%
Canandaigua13%0%28%9%
Geneva0%31%44%13%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.




Number of People Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2000
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS178,217712,590782,3161,230,589
NYS (excluding NYC)25,543182,812127,600707,102
Region2,38031,39314,88171,366
Monroe2,03728,95812,96636,537
Surrounding Counties3432,4351,91534,829
Genesee293461973,853
Livingston144921435,534
Ontario345056075,874
Orleans46413113,421
Seneca811041003,236
Wayne226924366,809
Wyoming1941773,104
Yates1014442,998
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester84027,29311,45116,398
Brighton3641322481,385
Chili233037860
Clarkson72528228
East Rochester281414547
Gates61164241,351
Greece885992403,596
Hamlin71617479
Henrietta3731381802,292
Irondequoit123353882,204
Mendon000251
Ogden0620478
Parma37369500
Penfield456631,086
Perinton9833371,142
Pittsford2201705
Riga060200
Rush00017
Sweden4291311,411
Webster2850781,281
Wheatland0460126
Brockport (V)425631,039
Churchville (V)00076
Fairport (V)000181
Hilton (V)37100204
Honeoye Falls (V)00064
Pittsford (V)00174
Scottsville (V)00048
Spencerport (V)00055
Webster (V)84530466
Regional Cities
Batavia262651001,467
Canandaigua21028884
Geneva03834911,218

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: Data not shown where sample sizes were too small. Multiyear results are from rolling American Community Survey. * Margin of error between 20% & 35% of estimate; ** margin of error between 35% & 50%; *** margin of error greater than 50%. The Census Bureau asks people to identify their race (white, African-American, etc.) separate from their ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic). So the totals for these categories cannot be added together, as people show up in both a racial and ethnic group.







Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS


INDICATORS - Grouped by Topic REGIONAL VALUE YEAR NYS COMPARISON TREND | REGION
Prenatal Care 78% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Prenatal Care, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights 8.4% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Babies Born with Low Birth Weights, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Infant Mortality Rate 6.9 2017-19 2 0
Maintaining
Infant Mortality Rate, Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels 0.8% 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Children in Poverty 18% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Children in Poverty, Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Single-Parent Families 39% 2017-21 2 1
Increasing
Single-Parent Families, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Rate of Child Abuse and Neglect 20 2020 2 1
Increasing
Rate of Foster Care Admissions 1.8 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Pregnancy 1.3% 2019 3 -1
Decreasing
Rate of Teen Births 12 2019 2 -1
Decreasing
Tourism Spending $1,399 2021 1 0
Maintaining
Recreation Spending $83 2021 1 -1
Decreasing
Voter Registration Rate 84% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Voter Participation Rate 64% 2020 3 1
Increasing
Registered Library Borrowers 55% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Library Visits 2.5 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Charitable Contributions as a Percentage of Income 0.8% 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Households Without Vehicles 10% 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Total Population 1.4% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Age 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Workers’ Commute Time, by Means of Transportation to Work 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Population by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2.6 2022 3 0
Maintaining
Population by Age and Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Crashes Involving Cyclists 1.4 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Disengaged Youth, Ages 16 to 19 6% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Crashes Resulting in Injuries and Fatalities 60 2022 3 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income $64,995 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) 24 2022 2 -1
Decreasing
Median Household Income, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Miles of Dedicated Bike Infrastructure 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty 13% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
RTS Ridership 8 2022 0 -1
Decreasing
People Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
RTS On-time Performance 0 10 Not Applicable*
Greenhouse Gas Emissions 23.7 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Public Assistance Recipients 1.2% 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Energy Burden of Households 0 10 Not Applicable*
Approval Rate for Public Assistance Applications 22% 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Solar Energy Capacity 122.8 2022 3 1
Increasing
Seniors Living in Poverty, by Sex 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Households Receiving SNAP 13% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Households Receiving SNAP by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Female Seniors Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gas Usage for Household Heating 74% 2017-21 1 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Workforce 4.7% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Tax Filers Receiving Earned Income Tax Credit 14% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Clean Energy Communities 2023 0 10 Not Applicable*
EITC Dollars $153 2020 2 -1
Decreasing
Electric Vehicles (EV) Charging Ports 165 2023 0 -1
Decreasing
Change in Total Jobs 2.3% 2021 2 1
Increasing
Asthma Hospitalizations 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Number of Business Establishments by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts 35% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Jobs by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Food Deserts in Low-Income Areas 20% 2019 1 10 Not Applicable*
Sector Shares of Regional Total Employment 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Unemployment Rate 4.9% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Unemployment Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Average Salary by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 12% 2021 3 1
Increasing
Change in Average Salary Since 2000 by Sector 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Employment-to-Population Ratio 59% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Prekindergarten Participation 41% 2021 2 1
Increasing
School Spending Per Student $23,561 2020 1 1
Increasing
Instructional Spending Per Student $16,983 2020 1 1
Increasing
Students Receiving Special Education Services 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Grade 3 English 37% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 English by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 English by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math 40% 2022 2 1
Increasing
Grade 3 Math by Student Subgroup 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 3 Math by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English 39% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Grade 8 English by Student Subgroup 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 English by Race/Ethnicity 2019 0 10 Not Applicable*
Grade 8 Math 49% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Regents Algebra 1 73% 2019 3 1
Increasing
Regents English 83% 2019 2 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate 88% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Cohort Graduation Rate, Beyond Four Years 90% 2022 3 1
Increasing
Four-Year Cohort Graduation Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2022 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Education Levels of Adults by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Without Health Insurance 5% 2020 3 -1
Decreasing
Supply of Doctors 35.3 2019 1 1
Increasing
Mortality Rate 693 2019 1 -1
Decreasing
Chlamydia Rate 53 2020 2 1
Increasing
Chlamydia Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rate 37 2020 1 1
Increasing
Maternal Health, by Race/Ethnicity 2018-20 0 10 Not Applicable*
Gonorrhea Rates, Race/Ethnicity, Monroe County 0 10 Not Applicable*
Early Syphilis Rates 2.8 2020 3 1
Increasing
Early Syphilis Rates within Monroe County, by Race/Ethnicity 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with HIV 105 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with HIV by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
People Living with AIDS 124 2021 0 1
Increasing
People Living with AIDS by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Percent of Days with Good Air Quality 0 10 Not Applicable*
Alcohol-related Crashes 2.7 2021 2 -1
Decreasing
Admissions to Substance Abuse Treatment by Primary Substance 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Median Home Value $151,405 2017-21 1 1
Increasing
Median Rental Prices $936 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Homeowners 2.3 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
Housing Affordability for Homeowners by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Overall Housing Cost Burden 28% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters 32% 2017-21 3 10 Not Applicable*
Rent Burdened Households 48% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Housing Affordability for Renters by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Homeownership Rate 68% 2017-21 3 -1
Decreasing
Homeownership Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2017-21 0 10 Not Applicable*
Vacant Housing Units 9% 2017-21 3 1
Increasing
Homeless Persons 0 10 Not Applicable*
Serious Crimes 165 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Violent Crimes 25 2021 3 1
Increasing
Victims of Domestic Violence 59 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates 10.0 2021 0 -1
Decreasing
Incarceration Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2018 0 10 Not Applicable*
Arrest Rates 125.2 2021 3 -1
Decreasing
Arrest Rates, by Race/Ethnicity 2021 0 10 Not Applicable*
Per-Capita Spending for Local Government $3,731 2019 0 1
Increasing
Female to Male Earnings Ratio 0.70 2017-21 3 0
Maintaining
*No or multiple regional values for this indicator


Worse than NYS by 10% or more
Up to 10% worse than NYS
Equal to or better than NYS





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