News

Many in St. Cloud Struggle With Poverty

Photo: pieterpater, Photos.com

Sep 20, 2012 at 7:30 am

ST. CLOUD, MN (KNSI) - New survey information from the U.S Census Bureau shows many St. Cloud residents continue to struggle financially. An estimated 13-point-nine percent of families in St. Cloud had incomes below the poverty line in the 12 month period prior to the survey.

The number of St. Cloud residents using food stamps rose to 16-point-7 percent--up from 10-point-7 percent the year before. The survey estimates show St. Cloud's poverty rate for all residents was 24-point-9 percent--which was higher than Duluth and Rochester.

The rate measures the number of people whose incomes fell below the poverty line in the previous 12 months. The survey shows the median household income in St. Cloud was just over 41-thousand dollars last year--which is still lower than it was five years ago.