Economic Security
Females Living in Poverty, by Race/Ethnicity

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Source: U.S. Census Bureau

What does this measure?

The proportion of females 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 females 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 targeted social and government supports.

How is our region performing?

Regional poverty rates in 2017-21 were highest among African American and Hispanic women, both at 32%, compared to Asian women at 16% and white women at 10%. With the exception of Hispanic women (whose rate decreased slightly) and African American women which remained unchanged, regional poverty rates among Asian and white women increased slightly from 2000 through 2017-21.

The poverty rate among white and Asian women in the region was fairly similar to the rates among white and Asian women in New York State, while the rates for African American and Hispanic women in the region were higher than those in New York State by 11 and 9 points respectively.

For all groups, rates were higher in the City of Rochester than in the region at 36% of African American women, 42% of Hispanic women, 33% of Asian women, and 23% of white women. In the other regional counties, the number of women in these groups were generally too small for reliable poverty rate estimates and meaningful comparisons.

Why do these disparities exist?

The effects of sexism and racism across society combine to limit the employment opportunities available to women of color. Women in general are overrepresented in lower-wage professions, consistently paid less than their male counterparts, and more likely to sacrifice work and earnings to care for family members limiting their earning potential. When compounded by affiliation with a racial or ethnic group that has faced historic and systemic exclusion from opportunity, women of color are more likely to live in poverty than white women. Women of color face job discrimination, experience a larger wage gap compared to men, and Black women graduate with more education debt than any other group. As a result, women of color have less savings.

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.

Women Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS15%21%23%11%
NYS (excluding NYC)12%21%17%10%
Region16%*32%32%10%
Monroe18%*32%32%10%
Surrounding Counties5%***25%*28%11%
Rochester MSA16%*32%32%10%
Genesee21%***31%***26%*11%
Livingston8%***21%***33%**13%
Ontario2%***13%***22%**8%
Orleans2%***14%***46%***14%
Seneca0%***20%***37%**12%
Wayne7%***43%**18%**11%
Wyoming3%***55%***44%**11%
Yates0%***49%***58%***13%
Monroe County Suburbs13%*21%*20%*7%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester33%**36%42%23%
Brighton12%***12%***13%***8%**
Chili0%***16%***12%***5%*
Clarkson0%***0%***24%***12%***
East Rochester7%***0%***0%***13%***
Gates7%***1%***23%***6%**
Greece11%***35%**22%**9%*
Hamlin0%***3%***2%***10%**
Henrietta21%***16%***26%***9%**
Irondequoit35%***25%***27%***8%*
Mendon0%***23%***34%***5%***
Ogden0%***0%***40%***7%*
Parma30%***32%***20%***7%**
Penfield1%***4%***17%***4%*
Perinton5%***16%***3%***6%**
Pittsford1%***1%***8%***4%**
Riga0%***0%***0%***8%***
Rush0%***17%***0%***4%***
Sweden62%***50%***59%***15%*
Webster22%***34%***5%***5%*
Wheatland0%***52%***52%***15%**
Brockport (V)83%***61%***48%***17%**
Churchville (V)0%***0%***0%***5%***
Fairport (V)0%***67%***0%***19%***
Hilton (V)N/A***40%***49%***9%***
Honeoye Falls (V)0%***N/A***100%***5%***
Pittsford (V)0%***0%***0%***1%***
Scottsville (V)0%***82%***58%***14%***
Spencerport (V)N/A***0%***N/A***5%***
Webster (V)0%***74%***18%***19%**
Regional Cities
Batavia43%***34%***35%**16%*
Canandaigua0%***7%***26%***8%*
Geneva0%***18%***32%**15%*

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: 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




Number of Women Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2017-21
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS129,150332,712439,165661,528
NYS (excluding NYC)28,027102,348111,282423,977
Region2,534*19,76713,54349,896
Monroe2,415*18,81711,27927,052
Surrounding Counties119***950*2,26422,844
Rochester MSA2,481*19,52913,01943,473
Genesee50***97***202*2,789
Livingston21***51***294**3,508
Ontario16***148***549**4,293
Orleans3***111***420***2,366
Seneca0***51***127**1,728
Wayne26***346**348**4,759
Wyoming3***90***195**1,906
Yates0***56***129***1,495
Monroe County Suburbs1,379*3,275*3,050*16,622
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester1,036**15,5428,22910,430
Brighton205***134***107***1,163**
Chili0***224***94***634*
Clarkson0***0***132***364***
East Rochester4***0***0***345***
Gates22***21***152***743**
Greece150***1,456**923**3,668*
Hamlin0***1***1***405**
Henrietta494***364***234***1,338**
Irondequoit256***497***712***1,596*
Mendon0***23***66***212***
Ogden0***0***164***661*
Parma13***47***41***489**
Penfield6***10***124***744*
Perinton35***75***31***1,333**
Pittsford12***4***27***445**
Riga0***0***0***213***
Rush0***4***0***51***
Sweden38***92***123***779*
Webster144***247***56***1,112*
Wheatland0***76***63***327**
Brockport (V)38***69***60***403**
Churchville (V)0***0***0***49***
Fairport (V)0***2***0***549***
Hilton (V)0***44***28***268***
Honeoye Falls (V)0***0***2***61***
Pittsford (V)0***0***0***9***
Scottsville (V)0***76***63***133***
Spencerport (V)0***0***0***85***
Webster (V)0***241***21***523**
Regional Cities
Batavia29***69***140**1,012*
Canandaigua0***8***85***379*
Geneva0***72***301**606*

Source: U.S. Census Bureau




Women Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2000
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS18%26%31%11%
NYS (excluding NYC)10%24%21%9%
Region11%32%36%8%
Monroe10%32%37%7%
Surrounding Counties12%35%29%10%
Rochester MSA10%32%36%8%
Genesee21%35%38%8%
Livingston34%20%27%11%
Ontario2%36%29%7%
Orleans10%48%37%10%
Seneca24%37%31%12%
Wayne0%29%21%9%
Wyoming0%39%38%9%
Yates27%55%39%15%
Monroe County Suburbs8%13%18%5%
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester18%35%44%17%
Brighton10%11%44%6%
Chili13%4%15%4%
Clarkson12%0%8%5%
East Rochester30%17%12%10%
Gates8%13%4%6%
Greece6%25%11%5%
Hamlin0%50%8%5%
Henrietta25%5%23%8%
Irondequoit2%20%30%6%
Mendon0%0%0%4%
Ogden0%0%0%3%
Parma48%13%0%4%
Penfield5%2%15%4%
Perinton5%2%9%3%
Pittsford2%0%0%4%
Riga0%20%0%5%
Rush0%0%0%1%
Sweden4%8%23%15%
Webster0%3%18%4%
Wheatland0%25%0%4%
Brockport (V)10%11%26%22%
Churchville (V)0%0%0%5%
Fairport (V)0%0%0%5%
Hilton (V)64%43%0%3%
Honeoye Falls (V)0%0%0%3%
Pittsford (V)0%0%N/A7%
Scottsville (V)0%0%0%3%
Spencerport (V)0%N/AN/A2%
Webster (V)0%11%44%11%
Regional Cities
Batavia30%43%61%12%
Canandaigua0%0%14%10%
Geneva0%37%49%15%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Notes: 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




Number of Women Living in Poverty by Race/Ethnicity, 2000
AsianBlack or African AmericanLatino or HispanicWhite
NYS92,062411,781441,630698,784
NYS (excluding NYC)12,697102,93367,651403,558
Region1,03617,6728,19641,459
Monroe88816,3897,20021,000
Surrounding Counties1481,28399620,459
Rochester MSA96717,4697,98735,443
Genesee21130942,340
Livingston5849873,227
Ontario73292943,518
Orleans43531921,980
Seneca4853561,903
Wayne03381803,967
Wyoming020591,773
Yates1011341,751
Monroe County Suburbs51196590612,123
Monroe County Local Areas
Rochester37715,4246,2948,877
Brighton13155205913
Chili232632536
Clarkson707149
East Rochester1279328
Gates4011014816
Greece384081172,216
Hamlin0166251
Henrietta155671081,101
Irondequoit51922451,468
Mendon000175
Ogden000258
Parma14100296
Penfield28635667
Perinton39829673
Pittsford1500463
Riga060131
Rush00013
Sweden41638801
Webster0861767
Wheatland0300101
Brockport (V)41215607
Churchville (V)00048
Fairport (V)000141
Hilton (V)14100102
Honeoye Falls (V)00045
Pittsford (V)00048
Scottsville (V)00031
Spencerport (V)00037
Webster (V)0830254
Regional Cities
Batavia2111351930
Canandaigua006567
Geneva0248241752

Source: U.S. Census Bureau







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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