Face of US poverty: These days, more poor live in suburbs than in cities
The rise in suburban poverty reflects long-term demographic shifts – America is more than ever a suburban nation – as well as economic changes.
Marcus Thomas, a lanky, unemployed construction worker, says he moved out of Roseland, a poor neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, because it had become too dangerous.
"I couldn't walk down the street without someone pulling out a gun on me," he says.
"It's better than the city," he says. "There's not too much violence."
Suburbs are increasingly becoming the address of America's poor. Suburban poverty across the country grew 53 percent between 2000 and 2010, more than twice the rate of urban poverty, according to a recent report by the Brookings Institution. For the first time, more poor people live in the suburbs than in cities.
"I think suburban poverty is here to stay," says Alan Berube, one of the authors. "It's not going to revert back to the cities."
suggested reading:
http://news.yahoo.com/face-us-poverty-days-more-poor-live-suburbs-124134292.html
The rise in suburban poverty reflects long-term demographic shifts – America is more than ever a suburban nation – as well as economic changes.
Marcus Thomas, a lanky, unemployed construction worker, says he moved out of Roseland, a poor neighborhood on Chicago's South Side, because it had become too dangerous.
"I couldn't walk down the street without someone pulling out a gun on me," he says.
"It's better than the city," he says. "There's not too much violence."
Suburbs are increasingly becoming the address of America's poor. Suburban poverty across the country grew 53 percent between 2000 and 2010, more than twice the rate of urban poverty, according to a recent report by the Brookings Institution. For the first time, more poor people live in the suburbs than in cities.
"I think suburban poverty is here to stay," says Alan Berube, one of the authors. "It's not going to revert back to the cities."
suggested reading:
http://news.yahoo.com/face-us-poverty-days-more-poor-live-suburbs-124134292.html