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Title: What Explains Recent Increases in Poverty in Larimer County and Fort Collins?

Citation Type: Working Paper

Publication Year: 2008

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Abstract: In August 2007 the Colorodoan reported dramatic poverty increases in Fort Collins between 1999 and 2006. Using Census Bureau data, the paper reported that 19.8 percent of the citys population lived below the poverty line in 2006. By comparison, the citys 1999 poverty rate was 14 percent. Children were similarly impacted, with nearly 1-in-5 living below the poverty line in 2006, up from 8.9 percent in 1999. While poverty trends in the rest of Larimer County are not as startling, it is undeniable that many households across the region are struggling. Despite increased attention, many dont fully understand the communitys poverty dynamics. Some of this is due to a spotty grasp of the depth and breadth of the poverty problem. And some is due simply to denial. The issue is further complicated in that little is known about the causes underlying increased poverty. As a result, local policymakers, non-profits, churches and human service organizations typically rely on anecdotal evidence in designing poverty alleviation programs. While anecdotes certainly help, they may not capture povertys true dynamics, as anecdotes are typically formed by what people see and experience in their own daily workings. Our goal in this project is to examine poverty from a variety of detached angles to improve our understanding of the regions poverty workings. This report is part of the comprehensive Pathways Past Poverty effort designed to educate and empower citizens, public institutions and human service agencies about the nature, extent, causes and solutions of poverty in Fort Collins and Larimer County. Our study shows the relative importance of a variety of factors that drive both household poverty and changes in regional poverty. Due to the complex nature of poverty, there is no single solution that will eradicate, or even dramatically reduce it in Larimer County and Fort Collins. Further complicating the issue is the fact that the dynamics of child poverty differ from those of adult poverty--these are two unique problems that require unique solutions. This report summarizes a two step process. First we provide a comprehensive picture of local poverty trends, emphasizing the nature and extent of poverty on various socioeconomic groups (e.g., age, gender, education). We then take a multi-faceted approach to better understand the root causes of increasing poverty, using statistical models and focus group methods to examine how social and economic forces influence individual and household poverty.

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Authors: Keyser, David; Aronson, Matthew; Shields, Martin; Mushinski, David

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Institution: Colorado State University

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Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Poverty and Welfare

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