The 2010 Census, which determines population numbers, will be made public in just a few weeks. However, a number of groups are already making claims about how the information will be used, and much of it involves children.
The survey questioned Americans about the number of people in each household, where they lived, and the types of living conditions they endure. The answers will be sliced and diced, and in the end, they will offer insight into how Americans are living and where aid is needed the most.
Painting a clear picture on the disparities faced by American families is one of the goals of the census. For example, the U.S. Census Bureau tracks rents throughout the country via its American Community Survey. In 2009, San Jose, California, was given the dubious honor of having the highest rents in the country. The northern California metro area is home to gross median rents of $1,414. According to the Census Bureau, San Francisco came in second, followed by the Washington, D.C., area. The New York metro area, which includes northern New Jersey and Long Island, ranked sixth with a median gross rent of $1,125 a month. In 2009, the median rent in New York City alone was $1,086.
The survey also revealed that a New Yorker with a college degree earned roughly $50,000 per year, compared with about $28,000 for someone with only a high school diploma. According to the 2009 survey, the number of people living below the poverty line in New York sat at about 18%. The median income for individuals receiving food stamps was $14,708. Meanwhile, the median income of people not receiving food stamps was $59,549 in 2009.
So, what does this all mean for children? According to analysts, parents whose median income fell below the poverty line had children who suffered more setbacks in school than their richer counterparts. In addition, a parent with a college degree had kids who stayed in school longer and scored better on standardized tests than parents who earned only a high school diploma.
Frankly, I doubt that the 2010 numbers are going to change that fact much. It stands to reason that a parent who is working multiple jobs wouldn’t be physically present for their kids as much as a parent who only works one job or who earns enough to allow another parent to stay home.
What impact do you think the new census numbers will have on your family?
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