There are fewer Osage County residents living in poverty than the residents of any of the other seven counties in the Meramec Region, according to a recent statewide report that analyzed several factors used in determining a county’s poverty level.

Poverty continues to be a concern for local government officials throughout Missouri with some counties having nearly a third of their populations living in poverty. Osage County’s 9.2 percent rate is the only one among the eight Meramec Region counties to record a level below 10 percent.

As noted in the 2020 Missouri Poverty Report, the statewide rate is 13.2 percent while the national poverty rate is 13.1 percent.

The report issued last month by Missouri Community Action Network and Missourians to End Poverty lists the rates of all 114 counties in Missouri, as well as the rate for St. Louis City, which is not part of a county but treated as a county. The report covers a variety of areas — financial, medical, educational and so forth — that combine to affect a family’s economic well being. The figures are for 2018, the most recent year available. The report is issued every two years and is built on data obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau, the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the National Center for Educational Statistics and other sources.

The rates of Osage County’s neighboring counties are 8.9 percent in Cole;  13.9 in Maries; 11.8 in Gasconade; 11.7 in Callaway; 14.3 in Montgomery; 16.9 in Miller.

In addition to Gasconade and Maries, the other Meramec Region counties and their poverty rates are Crawford at 15.9; 18.1 in Phelps; 15.2 in Pulaski; 21.7 in Washington; and 20.3 in Dent.

The highest rates of poverty were posted by counties in Missouri’s Bootheel — Pemiscot County at 29.1 percent; Mississippi County at 26.8 percent; and Dunklin County at 26.1 percent. Pemiscot County ranked 114th.

St. Louis City has a poverty rate of 22.8 percent.

The report lists the lowest rate of poverty in St. Charles County at 5.7 percent.

Just what is the poverty level?

The poverty guidelines are set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are updated each year and cover households of all sizes. For instance, for a household of two, the poverty line is $17,240 (gross income). For a family of three, the amount is $21,720. For a family of four, the amount is $26,200. To determine the poverty level for larger households, add $4,480 for each additional family member.

You can find more information on the 2020 Missouri Poverty Report at missouripovertyreport.org.