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Kentucky’s child poverty crisis persists despite record-high school graduation rates

One in five Kentucky kids grows up poor, but classrooms are defying the odds. Can education alone break the cycle of inequality?

In this image we can see a collage of pictures with a group of children and some text on it.
In this image we can see a collage of pictures with a group of children and some text on it.

Kentucky’s child poverty crisis persists despite record-high school graduation rates

Child poverty remains a pressing issue in Kentucky, with nearly one in five children living below the poverty line. In some regions, such as Eastern Kentucky, the situation is even more severe, affecting around 40% of young people. Despite these challenges, recent data shows improvements in education, including a high school graduation rate nearing 94% for the 2024-2025 school year.

Across Kentucky, 20% of children live in poverty, according to the latest figures. The problem is unevenly distributed, with 31% of Black children and 23% of Latinx children affected, compared to 17% of white children. Beyond income struggles, 44% of children grow up in low-income households, while 21% face food insecurity.

The latest figures highlight both the scale of child poverty in Kentucky and the progress being made in education. With nearly 94% of students graduating high school, schools are seeing positive results. Meanwhile, ongoing efforts by advocacy groups and state agencies aim to address economic disparities and improve living conditions for vulnerable families.

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