Source: American Community Survey

Poverty is not always caused by lack of work. In Indianapolis in 2005, nearly two-thirds of the households in poverty had at least one person who worked. One in five of these households had one or two full-time workers, while many more had someone who worked at least part time or at least part of the year.

Only 36.3 percent of the households in poverty in Indianapolis had no one working. The poverty/work status in Indianapolis is similar to that for all of Indiana. However, households in poverty in the suburban counties surrounding Indianapolis were much less likely to have a member who worked.

 

  
 
   
     
  College-educated povertyThe wage curve  
  Indianapolis incomes are risingIndianapolis is good at attracting talented workersRecent immigrant incomes are lowCentral indianapays a higher premium to college-educated workers than other metro regionsOccupational wage curve analysis  
  IncomeThe income basicsIndianapolis wagesIncome by race, number of householdsIncomes are highest for the 45-64 age groupThree kinds of incomePovertyIndianapolis incomes: middle of the packNearly one in five Indianapolis workers lives outside the countyIncomes and educationwhere the income comes from  
  Income by race, share of householdsIndianapolis is America's most affordable housing marketMore than $10 billion is earned in Indianapolis by non-residentsHigh incomes are concentrated outside IndianapolisIndianapolis has a wider income gap than most other cities between its urban core and its metro area  
  Poverty in Indianapolis is highest among children and youthsPoverty and racePoverty happens to females more than males, even among childrenMany in poverty work their way out