Hispanic kids surpass whites as most impoverished

The largest single group of kids living in poverty is Hispanic. More than one-third of all Hispanic kids live in poverty partly due to the rapid growth of that demographic in the U.S. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Pew Hispanic Center is calling the figure a "negative milestone." According to their review, more than 6 million Latino kids live in poverty and most of those are the children of immigrants.

Whites came in second at 30.5 percent and black children were least likely of the three demographics to live in poverty, coming in at 26.6 percent. 

The figures were compiled using 2010 census data. 

Hispanics make up 16.3 percent of the total American population, but Hispanic children make up 23.1 percent of all kids. Of the 4.1 million Hispanic children living in poverty, 86 percent were born in America. The study also says the remaining 2 million children have U.S. born parents. 

Before the 2007 recession, white kids ranked highest as most likely to live in poverty. Since then, those positions have reversed. 

All three demographics have gotten larger as the recession continues. 

The recession is mostly to blame for the growing numbers and it has hit Latino communities especially hard. While the national rate for unemployment is 9.1 percent, it is 11.1 percent for Hispanics. The study also says that food insecurity is up for Hispanics, with up to 23.8 percent facing the problem. This means that almost a quarter of Latino children are in danger of going hungry, and sometimes do, without access to sufficient food and nutrition. 

Programs which serve the poor are also reporting an increase in the number of Hispanic visitors. 
Poverty is on the rise in the U.S.. The latest U.S. Census Bureau data, released on September 13, 2011, shows that the national poverty rate has risen to 15.1 percent, at its highest level since 1993. 

As increasing numbers of people fall below the poverty line, they pay little or no taxes (the poor still pay some taxes in the form of certain state and local taxes, particularly sales taxes) and are compelled to draw on public resources for survival. This has the dual effect of reducing government revenues and drawing off money in the form of welfare services. 

Naturally, to have any children living in poverty is a grave concern for all, however with the recession showing signs of resurging, the danger that many kids face is growing rapidly. 

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