- According to U.S. Census data, 2.5 million children were homeless in 2013.
- According to the National Center on Family Homelessness, there were nearly 17,000 homeless children in New Jersey during the 2012-13 school year. That is roughly the entire population of Morristown, NJ.
- The National Center for Education Statistics found the dropout rate for students living in low-income families in 2008 was about four and a half times greater than the rate found in high-income families.
- In 2015, 7% of New Jersey children were living in ‘extreme poverty’ – living in families with incomes less than 50% of the federal poverty level – or about $12,000 for a family of four.
- In 2014, 16% of New Jersey school children were living below the federal poverty level. The biggest changes occurred in Gloucester County, which saw a 4 year jump of 43% in the poverty rate. At the same time, Somerset County saw a 39% decrease.
- In 2013, 76% of New Jersey school children participated in SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – formerly called Food Stamps. This is up 9% since 2011.
- The median income of families with children in NJ varies greatly by county, from $44,000 in Cumberland County, to $147,000 in Hunterdon County.
- According to Disability World, half of the states in America report that children who are homeless also experience difficulties with receiving special education.
Data Source: Unless otherwise noted, data are from Association for Children of New Jersey’s 2016 NJ Kids Count report.
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