DETROIT (WWJ) - New numbers out from the city of Detroit show that the poverty level is going down.
The assessment from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates the poverty rate has dropped for the third year in a row, down to about 33.4%. The report also shows that Detroit household income grew 20% over the past three years, almost doubling statewide household income growth, now at over $31,000.
"In January 2015, the mayor retooled the city’s employment strategies to focus on in-demand job sectors, and since then, we’ve seen sustained employment growth," Nicole Sherard-Freeman, Executive Director of Workforce Development, said in a statement.
The U.S Census Bureau report on poverty level in Detroit:• 2015 - 39.8%• 2016 - 35.7%• 2017 - 34.5%• 2018 - 33.4%
The report also showed that the total number of Detroiters living below the poverty level decreased from 265,000 in 2015 to 220,000 in 2018, reflecting 45,000 residents moving out of poverty in that time.
From 2015 to 2018, median household income across the state of Michigan grew by 11%. During this same period, Detroit median household income grew by 20.4%:• 2015 - $25,980• 2016 - $28,666• 2017 - $30,344• 2018 - $31,283
"Three straight years of progress is a good start," said Mayor Mike Duggan. "But if we can continue our success in bringing new jobs to Detroit and to train Detroiters to fill those jobs, our future is bright."
Earlier this month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released statistics showing more Detroiters were employed in July than any month over the last decade, with the number of employed Detroiters exceeding 230,000 for the first time since December 2009.