Not Just Lakewood
Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 5:31 pm
We all know that Lakewood doesn't exist in a bubble. We are affected by the economics of county, the state, and of course, the US as a whole. In order to provide a bit more context for our discussion regarding economic growth within the city, I feel it is important for us to understand some of the opportunities within the state.
So to that end, here are some quick facts:
1 out of 4 families with children in Ohio - nearly 350,000 families - is low-income (below 200% of poverty level). Of these families, 96,955 had a n income that put them below the poverty level. Ohio's minority families are about twice as likely to be low-income or poor. In 2002 41.2 % had income below 200% of the poverty level.
(note: 2004 poverty level income for a family of 4 = $18, 850)
In 2002, 1 out of 5 jobs in Ohio (19.5%) was in an occupation that paid wages below the poverty level (about $8.84 for a family of four). Ohio's biggest employer is Wal-Mart.
Ohio's per capita income has fallen compared to the nation's since the 1970s, when it was above the national average. From 2002-2003, Ohio's personal income growth ranked last among the 50 states.
Families in Ohio are taxed at a lower income than families in all but five states, Ohio levies taxes on families at incomes as low as 13,000/year and is one of only 15 states that levies taxes on families below the poverty level.
Ohio does not have a minimum wage law that exceeds the federal minimum wage of $5.15/hour. Ohio is one of only two states with such laws that set the state minimum wage below the federal minimum wage.
In 2002, 27.5% of low income working families had at least one parent without health insurance. Among ALL Ohio workers 14.2% (809,408) were without health insurance in 2003.
In 2002, nearly 1 in 4 low-income working families with children included a parent who lacks a high school diploma or equivalent.
Ohio does not provide financial aid for adults seeking short term career training in non-degree career classes.
Ohio ranks 35th among the states in its expenditures for adult basic education, spending only $13.07 for every adult in the state without a high school diploma/GED. States in the top third typically allocated $37.17 (or more).
Ohio does not have a state earned income tax credit - 16 states had a state EITC.
I will make no comments here about the interpretation of any of this as these are just basic facts as aggregated by the IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) of Cleveland from Federal and State census and survey data.
I will, however, say that this is the environment in which Lakewood exists. MY vision for my hometown is that we can come together to revitalize our city and set and example for surrounding communities so that we, as a collection of cities and citizens, can change the status quo.
Peace,
~Charyn
So to that end, here are some quick facts:
1 out of 4 families with children in Ohio - nearly 350,000 families - is low-income (below 200% of poverty level). Of these families, 96,955 had a n income that put them below the poverty level. Ohio's minority families are about twice as likely to be low-income or poor. In 2002 41.2 % had income below 200% of the poverty level.
(note: 2004 poverty level income for a family of 4 = $18, 850)
In 2002, 1 out of 5 jobs in Ohio (19.5%) was in an occupation that paid wages below the poverty level (about $8.84 for a family of four). Ohio's biggest employer is Wal-Mart.
Ohio's per capita income has fallen compared to the nation's since the 1970s, when it was above the national average. From 2002-2003, Ohio's personal income growth ranked last among the 50 states.
Families in Ohio are taxed at a lower income than families in all but five states, Ohio levies taxes on families at incomes as low as 13,000/year and is one of only 15 states that levies taxes on families below the poverty level.
Ohio does not have a minimum wage law that exceeds the federal minimum wage of $5.15/hour. Ohio is one of only two states with such laws that set the state minimum wage below the federal minimum wage.
In 2002, 27.5% of low income working families had at least one parent without health insurance. Among ALL Ohio workers 14.2% (809,408) were without health insurance in 2003.
In 2002, nearly 1 in 4 low-income working families with children included a parent who lacks a high school diploma or equivalent.
Ohio does not provide financial aid for adults seeking short term career training in non-degree career classes.
Ohio ranks 35th among the states in its expenditures for adult basic education, spending only $13.07 for every adult in the state without a high school diploma/GED. States in the top third typically allocated $37.17 (or more).
Ohio does not have a state earned income tax credit - 16 states had a state EITC.
I will make no comments here about the interpretation of any of this as these are just basic facts as aggregated by the IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network) of Cleveland from Federal and State census and survey data.
I will, however, say that this is the environment in which Lakewood exists. MY vision for my hometown is that we can come together to revitalize our city and set and example for surrounding communities so that we, as a collection of cities and citizens, can change the status quo.
Peace,
~Charyn