News

ANN ARBOR—A new map that streamlines an overwhelming amount of poverty and well-being data will make it easier to understand what’s happening in counties across Michigan.

Poverty Solutions—the University of Michigan’s major initiative dedicated to the prevention and alleviation of poverty—developed the map to help policymakers, community organizations and the public understand the state of poverty in their communities.

“Any one statistic shows only a piece of the puzzle,” said H. Luke Shaefer, associate professor of social work and public policy and director of Poverty Solutions. “By looking at a range of things we learn more about the strengths and opportunities for improving the lives of Michigan residents.”

According to the latest American Community Survey, Michigan’s poverty rate of 15 percent puts it slightly higher than the national poverty rate of 12.7 percent and 36th in the nation. People considered poor had incomes below the poverty line—$24,250 for a family of four—in 2016.

Making data accessible to the public is one way a public institution like the U-M can better inform actions on some of our big challenges like poverty.

The data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, the United Way, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings, and others. The map focuses on eight broad poverty and well-being ­related indicators, such as poverty rate, percentage of people on food assistance and life expectancy, to provide a snapshot of strengths and challenges in each county.

“When we’re able to look across a range of things like the indicators highlighted here, we can better find solutions that can address the unique challenges faced across the different regions in Michigan,” Shaefer said.

Some highlights from the map broken down by county include: