Florida’s childhood poverty rate continued to decline over the past year, with 3,192 fewer children living in poverty statewide, according to a new analysis by the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Initiative.
Despite having more children in Florida, the number of children living in poverty fell from 714,768 to 711,576, continuing a long-term downward trend that has reduced childhood poverty by more than 200,000 children since the Initiative’s launch.
The latest figures show ongoing momentum in the statewide, business-led effort to cut childhood poverty in half by 2030, one of 39 long-term goals outlined in the Florida 2030 Blueprint to strengthen Florida’s economy and position the state among the world’s top 10 (currently ranked 15th).
Data Highlights:
• More than half of Florida’s children living in poverty reside in 150 of the state’s 983 zip codes.
• Thirty-five counties reduced childhood poverty over the past year, while 31 saw increases.
• Overall poverty rates ranged from the highest percentage at 27.9% in Gadsden County to the lowest at 6.5% in St. John’s County.
• Overall childhood poverty rates ranged from the highest percentage at 39.30% in Hardee County to the lowest at 6.5% in Santa Rosa County.
• County and zip code data are available on the Florida Scorecard and Florida Gap Map.
The Florida Prosperity Initiative says the have brought together a coalition of business, community, and policy leaders to address the 10 Root Causes of Poverty at the local level.
Partners include United Way, local chambers of commerce, Hope Florida, Boys & Girls Clubs, the Reading Pals program, and many other important community organizations across the state.
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Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, who has made protecting children a central focus of his leadership, is already working with communities and law enforcement across Florida to change the trajectory for children and their families experiencing barriers to safety and economic opportunity.
“Safety for children in Florida should never depend on a zip code, which is why I’m working with the Florida Prosperity Initiative in driving real change at the neighborhood level to strengthen protections and close gaps to opportunity and self-sufficiency,” said Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
