A much larger share of Indianapolis blacks and Hispanics than whites is poor. This holds true for all ages. The pattern of very high rates of poverty among children and youths, trending downward among older groups, holds true for all three groups.

Source: American Community Survey

These percentage figures show that, for black and Hispanic children, poverty has become a very common state of affairs. More than half of children from birth to age 14 in both groups were poor in 2006.

But the chart also contains some encouragement. The share of poverty declines with years. Many people who are born into poverty will grow up and leave poverty as they enter their working years. The pattern we observe in 2006 is standard across most recent years, so thousands of people successfully escape the trap of generational poverty every year.

  
 


   
     
  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 childrenMost people in poverty work at least part time