According to a recent report, Buchanan County’s poverty level for young children is higher than both the state and the national averages.

The 2016 State of the State: Poverty in Missouri Report was released Feb. 4th.  The report is a comprehensive resource of statewide poverty information.

Community Action Partnership of Greater St. Joseph said recent data indicates that 31% of children age 0 to 5 living in Buchanan County are living in poverty, which is 5% higher than the state average and 7% higher than the national average.  It said Buchanan County has also experienced an overall increase in households in poverty, increasing from 12.67% in 2009 to 16.52% in 2013.

Seniors living in Andrew County also saw an increase in poverty from 8% to 16.7% over a four year period.

Click the link to view the Missouri Poverty Report Press Release- CAP St. Joseph.