Census Bureau Releases 1998 Income and Poverty Estimates
for Illinois and Northeastern Illinois Counties (12/20/2001)

On December 20, 2001, the U.S. Census Bureau released 1998 income and poverty estimates for the nation's states and 3,143 counties. Included in the estimates were figures for Illinois and the six counties in Northeastern Illinois. These new figures were to be used to allocate federal funds for programs such as Head Start.

Among the data items posted on the Census Bureau's web site were 1998 state and county estimates of median household income, the total number of poor persons, and the number of poor children under 18. 1990 Census results on income and poverty for the year 1989 were also posted so that changes in income and poverty since the taking of the 1990 Census could be measured.

A panel of the National Academy of Sciences on estimates of poverty for small geographic areas recommended that the Department of Education use Census Bureau poverty estimates to determine the distribution of funds for programs to aid disadvantaged children under Title I. The Education Department will use either these county-level estimates or similarly-released school district-level poverty estimates.

      1998 Income and Poverty Estimates for Northeastern Illinois Counties
     
                                                                       Est.
                           Est.     Est. %       Est.     Est. %     Median
                        Persons    Persons    Persons    Persons     House-
                             in         in    0-17 in    0-17 in       hold
                        Poverty    Poverty    Poverty    Poverty     Income
                           1998       1998       1998       1998       1998
     
      Illinois        1,281,425       10.6    498,804       15.4    $43,141
     
      Cook County       683,203       13.1    273,245       20.0    $41,815
      DuPage County      33,668        3.7     13,687        5.7    $64,365
      Kane County        23,545        5.8      9,863        7.9    $57,033
      Lake County        34,265        5.6     14,549        8.3    $63,467
      McHenry County      8,723        3.5      3,468        4.7    $62,106
      Will County        27,174        5.7     10,853        7.4    $57,156
     
     

      1989 Income and Poverty Estimates from the
      1990 Census for Northeastern Illinois Counties
     
                                                                       Est.
                           Est.     Est. %       Est.     Est. %     Median
                        Persons    Persons    Persons    Persons     House-
                             in         in    0-17 in    0-17 in       hold
                        Poverty    Poverty    Poverty    Poverty     Income
                           1989       1989       1989       1989       1989
     
      Illinois        1,326,731       11.9    495,505       17.0    $32,252
     
      Cook County       713,255       14.2    281,469       22.3    $32,673
      DuPage County      20,948        2.7      6,036        2.9    $48,876
      Kane County        21,275        6.8      8,874        9.6    $40,080
      Lake County        25,557        5.2      9,561        6.8    $46,047
      McHenry County      6,342        3.5      2,155        4.1    $43,471
      Will County        21,024        6.0      7,819        7.5    $41,195

     
Source:  U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates, December 20, 2001.

The Census Bureau produced the state and county estimates by combining results from its March 1998 Current Population Survey with aggregate data from federal individual income tax returns, administrative records on food stamp program participation and 1990 decennial census figures. The estimates were financed by the Census Bureau and the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture, Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services.

Please contact tomasso@nipc.org for additional information about the availability of the 1998 state/county or school district income and poverty estimates for Northeastern Illinois.