In Utah, childhood poverty rates showed a mix of improvements and setbacks between 2021 and 2022. While the overall state poverty rate declined by 0.3%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Small Area Income and Poverty Program, 21 out of 41 school districts experienced increases in childhood poverty rates, albeit mostly below 5%. However, six districts faced substantial increases of 10% or more: Box Elder and Davis in northern Utah; North Sanpete, South Sanpete, and Wayne in central Utah; and Washington County in St. George. In three of these districts, the poverty rate jumped by over 30%. Positively, several districts reported notable improvements, including Grand County and Kane County in southern Utah; Morgan in the north; North Summit, east of the Wasatch Mountains; and Tintic in the central part of the state. San Juan School District, located in southeast Utah, continues to have the highest poverty rate at 27%, despite showing improvement from 2021 to 2022.
It’s important to note that school districts approach tracking poverty data differently. Primarily, they gather information through the National School Lunch Program application process, which hinges on the federal poverty level (FPL). Students qualify for free lunch if their household income falls within 130% of the FPL, and a reduced-priced lunch if it’s below 185% of the FPL. The federal poverty level and poverty threshold can vary significantly by hundreds of dollars or more each year. For the 2022 poverty estimates, the official Census Bureau poverty threshold for a family of four with two children under age 18 was $29,678, while the 2023 federal poverty guidelines set it at $30,000.
Census Bureau data also relies on a child’s place of residence, not their school location, which can lead to disparities in reported childhood poverty rates. For instance, Alpine School District estimated that around 15,000 students were considered ‘economically disadvantaged’ in 2021, a number that increased to over 17,000 in 2022 before dipping back down to approximately 15,000 in 2023. However, Census Bureau estimates indicate that about 5,276 school-age children within Alpine School District’s boundaries lived in poverty in 2021, with that number decreasing to 4,673 in 2022.
Steven Dunham, spokesperson for Washington School District in St. George, acknowledged possible flaws in the data related to the lunch program. Despite Census Bureau data showing a decline in the rate of childhood poverty, the district’s rate of students on free and reduced-rate lunch has decreased. However, this program’s effectiveness hinges on families applying for assistance. Dunham suggests that the decrease could reflect ‘the difficulty of getting parents to fill out the free and reduced form after two years of not having to.’
Dunham provided additional data indicating a concerning trend: an increase in the number of Washington School District students experiencing homelessness. While the final-day count decreased from 617 in 2021 to 595 in 2022, it then rose to 762 last year, closely mirroring the increase reported by the Census Bureau’s poverty estimate. As of late March, the district’s unhoused count stood at 884.
It’s crucial to recognize that while Census Bureau poverty thresholds influence how the federal government allocates funding, families don’t necessarily need to fall below these thresholds to qualify for assistance. Utah has implemented various child nutrition programs, including free and reduced-rate lunch, along with organizations like the Teen Center Project that provide essential support, including food, showers, and laundry services, and is working towards statewide expansion. Additionally, the federal government maintains a list of programs in Utah that offer aid in areas like child care, energy costs, and nutrition.
