Michigan
State Government
Governor
Gretchen Whitmer (D)
State Senate
20
Democrats,
18
Republicans
State House
56
Democrats,
54
Republicans
Economic well-being - Michigan
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.2
Minimum wage
12.5
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.3
Poverty rate
13.4%
Unemployment rate
5.2
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
5.1
Poverty by demographic - Michigan
Child poverty rate
0.2
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
18000
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
193000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
89000
Senior poverty rate
10.6 %
Women in poverty
5,034,424
Lansing State Journal, July 14, 2012: Groups collecting school supplies now
"Consider this: One in five U.S. children lives in poverty, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty, meaning about 16 million kids could show up for school unprepared. And the National Retail Foundation says the average U.S. family spends between $80 and $90 on school supplies to ensure kids are ready for class."
Grand Rapid Press, April 29, 2012: Michigan policy choices favor seniors over kids when it comes to social welfare Not from the cradle, but to the grave
"According to a study by H. Luke Shaefer at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, one in five families living in poverty nationwide, including about 2.8 million children, exist on $2 in income a day."
Detroit Free Press, April 25, 2012: Detroit tots' school readiness saves state
"The conclusions support prior research which showed evidence that children -- particularly low-income children -- who attend early education programs that prepare them are less likely to depend on taxpayer-funded services."
The Herald-Palladium, April 15, 2012: Safe at home
"Many other low-income older and disabled people looking for affordable housing aren't so lucky. Pat Winston, executive director of the Paw Paw Housing Commission, said there isn't enough subsidized housing available to meet the needs of an aging population."
Grand Rapid Press, March 15, 2012: State college students facing $4.2 million cuts in federal aid funds as penalty for 'disinvestments'
"Michigan and Alabama are being singled out by President Obama for cutting support to universities, saying the states did not comply with a federal rule requiring them to provide consistent funding. The states are facing loss of their College Access Challenge Grants, which is aimed at helping low-income families with academic counseling, financial aid and other assistance."
Bay City Times, February 24, 2012: Kent County kids report: One in five live in poverty
"One in five Kent County children now lives in poverty and it's causing a bevy of social problems, according to an annual data compilation."