Georgia
State Government
Governor
Brian Kemp (R)
State Senate
23
Democrats,
33
Republicans
State House
78
Democrats,
102
Republicans
Economic well-being - Georgia
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.1
Minimum wage
7.3
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.3
Poverty rate
12.6%
Unemployment rate
3.4
Number of Black or African American children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Number of Hispanic or Latino children living in families where no parent has full-time, year-round employment
Percent of individuals who are uninsured
12.0
Poverty by demographic - Georgia
Child poverty rate
0.2
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
29000
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
415000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
225000
Senior poverty rate
12.1 %
Women in poverty
5,640,440
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 1, 2012: Changes felt as HOPE revamped
"The University System of Georgia experienced its smallest fall semester enrollment increase since 2005. While total enrollment set a record, fewer students enrolled at nearly a dozen colleges, especially those with a higher percentage of low-income students."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 21, 2012: Georgia releases list of focus' schools needing additional attention
"Georgia added a fourth category, 'alert' schools, to make sure it could offer assistance to schools that, unlike those with the priority, focus or reward designation, may not receive federal Title 1 assistance given to schools with a high percentage of low-income students."
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, March 15, 2012: Five Muscogee County schools on Georgia's list of low-performing public schools
"The three high schools listed are receiving School Improvement Grants from the federal government. Those grants go to low performing Title I schools. Title I schools have a high number of low income students."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 14, 2011: Scholarship would aid poor students
"The program will target low-income students, with a preference for those who would be the first in their family to attend college, she said. Students will be required to maintain high grades and sign contracts promising to stay out of trouble. Students will be paired with mentors who will help them prepare for and apply to college, she said."
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 18, 2011: Students enroll at a slower pace
"About 90 percent of Atlanta Metro's students receive Pell Grants, a federal program for low-income students, said Alicia Scott, director of financial aid. Students told Scott they'd have to leave school if they didn't get additional aid or a loan."
The Macon Telegraph, November 5, 2011: Georgia's first lady, state superintendent visit Houston schools
"'In the face of really difficult challenges, which in their case is high poverty in their system, they've been able to dramatically increase student achievement,' Barge said of Shirley Hills. 'It really drives home that there are no excuses.'"