Created: 11/19/2009 9:59:54 AM 
Lexington, NC -- New data released by the US Census Bureau shows that 33.4% of students aged 5 to 17 in the Lexington City Schools were living in poverty. The Asheboro City Schools also had a high percentage at 30%.
The estimates were compiled as part of the Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates (SAIPE) program to allow for better distribution of federal funds.
Several other local school districts were above the national and state averages. In Alamance County, nearly 20% of students 5-17 are listed as living in poverty. Forsyth County has a rate of 18.7%. Rockingham County schools are at 19.9%.
Guilford County school students sit below the state average. The data shows that 17.3% of children aged 5 to 17 in the Guilford County school system are living in poverty.
Nationwide, the Census Bureau estimates that 16.5% of children in that age group live in Poverty. In North Carolina, the state average is 18.2% of students in the target age range living in poverty.
The Census Bureau used 48 thresholds to define poverty. The threshholds vary according to size of family and ages of family member. Breakdown of thresholds used for 2008 poverty survey.
The collection of information, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, will be used to allocate federal funds to local araeas. State and local programs also use the information to distribute funds to where they are needed most.
