Gaston County Percent (%) of People Living in Poverty by Age Group Under 5 Years (2020)
Current Value
19.4%
Definition
Comparison
Story Behind the Curve
Poverty is one of the social determinants of health, and it influences other factors such as housing, nutrition, employment, and access to healthcare. Individuals or families living in poverty often face financial barriers to accessing healthcare. The cost of medical services, medications, and health insurance may be expensive, leading to delayed or foregone medical care. In 2020, Gaston County had an overall poverty rate of 13.6%. Among different age categories, children under 5 years old had the highest poverty rate at 22.7%. This highlights the vulnerability of young children in our community, emphasizing the need for attention.