Missouri
State Government
Governor
Mike Parson (R)
State Senate
9
Democrats,
24
Republicans
State House
51
Democrats,
111
Republicans
Economic well-being - Missouri
Extreme poverty rate
0.1
Food insecurity
0.2
Minimum wage
13.8
Percent of working families under 200% of the poverty line
0.3
Poverty rate
12.3%
Unemployment rate
4.1
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
7.7
Poverty by demographic - Missouri
Child poverty rate
0.2
Number of Asian and Pacific Islander children below 200% poverty
N/A
Number of Black or African American children below 200% poverty
94000
Number of Hispanic or Latino children below 200% poverty
49000
Senior poverty rate
10.8 %
Women in poverty
3,088,608
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 16, 2016: Wash U Boosts Low-Income Enrollment, but Not Enough for Critics
Education Week, June 13, 2016: Educators push to expand advanced classes in St. Louis area
Midwest Energy News, February 10, 2016: Missouri utility’s efficiency plan to target renters, low-income customers
Valley News, December 21, 2015: Missouri Superintendent Makes School Work for Kids in Poverty
Columbia Daily News, December 28, 2014: Black and low-income students more frequently suspended from school
"Students who are black, poor or both represent a large percentage of those receiving out-of-school suspensions, according to data collected by Columbia Public Schools. School officials acknowledged there have been times when black or low-income students have received different treatment than students who aren't black or low-income. But district leaders say programs designed to address that disparity are starting to bring equity to student discipline."
The Springfield News-Leader, June 05, 2014: (Op-Ed) Education is Springfield's way out of poverty
"Currently, more than 46,000 Springfieldians live in poverty. Research shows that higher poverty rates are associated with a variety of social problems, including crime, substance abuse, domestic violence, hunger, hopelessness and apathy all issues with which our community struggles. Research also shows higher levels of education and technical skills are linked with higher incomes, which help pull families out of poverty."