Wednesday, August 31, 2005 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
County poverty rate up 40 percent as state holds steady
By Seattle Times staff and The Associated Press
Despite a rebounding economy, the poverty rate in King County increased last year as wages failed to keep pace with living costs.
A report yesterday by the U.S. Census found that between 2003 and 2004, median household income grew 2.5 percent in Washington, to $49,302, while the poverty rate remained relatively steady.
But in King County, the numbers for 2003 and 2004 were more striking, with the Census Bureau reporting that the poverty rate grew more than 40 percent over the year, from 7.3 percent to 10.4 percent.
Some questioned the findings, saying too few people were surveyed at the county level for accurate conclusions to be drawn.
"For the numbers to jump around as much as it did raises questions of credibility," said Chandler Felt, King County demographer.
Felt was particularly concerned about the 2003 numbers, which showed a drop in poverty compared to previous years. Last year's poverty rate was more in line with poverty rates before 2003, he said, suggesting that the 2003 numbers may have been a blip.
Still, Felt said the overall picture is probably accurate. "It tells us that King County is still struggling with the recession," he said. "There's still substantial [numbers] ... below the poverty level. I don't know how many, but I know the numbers are big and troubling."
A family of four earning $19,307 or less is considered below the national poverty level.
For Jean Colman, co-director of the Welfare Rights Organizing Committee in Seattle, last year's higher poverty numbers reflect reality.
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