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Poverty
in Maine - 2006
York County Profile
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York County
experienced a population increase of 8.3% from 2000 to 2005,
much greater than the statewide increase of 3.7%. York was
Maine’s fasting growing county in this time period. Census
estimates for 2005 indicate that York continues to have a
relatively younger population than most other Maine counties.
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York County’s
individual poverty rate in 2003 was lower than the state rate.
It was tied with Sagadahoc County for the lowest poverty rate
among Maine’s counties for all individuals, and was tied
with Cumberland County for the lowest rate for those under 18.
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Median household
income in York County in 2003 was second highest among Maine’s
counties, almost 20% above the state’s median household
income, and almost 25% above the 200% poverty level for a
four-person household.
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Because of the
high cost of living, especially housing, in York County the
2004 ‘livable wage’ estimate for a four-person household
(2 parents, both wage earners, and 2 children) was more than
2.6 times higher than the poverty level for a four-person
household, and the gap was even greater in the
Portsmouth-Kittery metropolitan area. Median household income
was more than $6,300 lower than the livable wage for a
four-person household in the Portsmouth-Kittery area.
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The proportion of
per-capita personal income in 2004 from net earnings was
higher in York County than in the state as a whole, while the
proportion from transfer payments was lower. This pattern is
consistent with the higher proportion of a younger,
working-age population and with the higher wage rates in the
area. Higher wage rates reduce the numbers of people eligible
for means-tested benefits.
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York County’s
monthly average unemployment rate for 2005 was lower than the
state average, and was one of the lowest among Maine’s
counties.
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York County
residents were considerably below the state average
participation rate for food stamps in FY05.
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The proportion of
the school-age population eligible for free and reduced school
lunch in FY06 was considerably lower than in the state as a
whole, and was the second lowest among Maine’s counties
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The proportion of
households receiving LIHEAP benefits in FY05 was considerably
lower than in the state as a whole. Compared with LIHEAP
households statewide, a smaller proportion received Medicaid
or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
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Levels of
educational attainment in York County are generally comparable
to the statewide pattern, but there is a slightly higher
proportion of the population with associate degrees, and a
slightly lower proportion with less than a high school
education.
TREND HIGHLIGHTS
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Over the most
recent four-year period for which county-level data are
available, the poverty rate in York County has risen slightly
but steadily each year from 2000 through 2003. This trend is
somewhat different than the state as a whole which had a
slight decrease in the poverty rate from 2002 to 2003. York
County’s 2003 poverty rate was more than a percentage point
higher than it was in 2000.
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Over the four-year
period from FY02 to FY05, the number of York County households
receiving food stamps increased each year; the number in FY05
was 54.9% greater than in FY02, greater than the statewide
increase of 49% in this time period.
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The number of York
County households receiving LIHEAP benefits increased from
FY02 to FY05.
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From 2002 to 2005,
York County’s monthly average unemployment rate mirrored
that of the state as a whole, reaching a peak in 2003,
declining in 2004, and increasing slightly in 2005.
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The percentage of
school-age children eligible for free and reduced school lunch
in York County increased somewhat each year from FY03 to FY06,
a similar pattern to the state as a whole.
MAPS AND GRAPHS
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County
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Table of
Contents
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Next: Appendix
1, page 1
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