State of Working Colorado: County poverty and hunger – A mixed picture

There is great variation in poverty and hunger within the state, despite the fact that only 11 counties are large enough to be covered by the American Community Survey’s (ACS) most current annual data.32 Among the 11 out of 64 counties included in the ACS data, poverty rates range from 19 percent in Denver County to 3 percent in Douglas County. Food stamp enrollment ranges from 14 percent of households in Pueblo County to 2 percent in Douglas County. That is a good reminder that a state-level examination of poverty is only the starting point for understanding poverty and economic security in Colorado.

For more insights, including detailed policy recommendations for enhancing economic security for all Coloradans, check out the State of Working Colorado 2010.