City's Child Poverty Rate Doubles State Average

Woonsocket's population of children under the age of 18 fell sightly over the last 10 years, dropping just less the total state numbers, the advocacy group RI Kids Count announced in its 2012 RI Kids Count Factbook.

The group also noted that Woonsocket has some of the highest numbers of children living in poverty.

According to the statewide survey, Woonsocket's under-18 population fell from 11,155 in 2000 to 9,888 in 2010, a reduction ofjust under 9 percent. The state's total childhood population also fell by 9 percent. Only two other states had decreases in the population of children over that time, the group said in a press release.

The RI Kids Count survey reviewed 2010 census data for all 39 cities and towns in Rhode Island, and also found that about 66 percent of all children considered to be living in poverty — defined as annual household income of $18,123 for a family of three with two children — were located in four communities: Woonsocket, Central Falls, Pawtucket, and Providence.

The median household income in Woonsocket is $35,860 — down $10,000 since 2000 — about half of the state average. About 35 percent of Woonsocket children are living below the poverty level, the report shows, more than double the 17 percent state average.