The Status of Maryland’s Children
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Maryland has the highest median family income ($82,404) in the
U.S. Families with children in Maryland have a median family
income of $80,265.
Yet, in 2007, over 10% of Maryland’s children (over 142,000) were
living in poverty.
28% of children live in families where no parent has full-time,
year-round employment.
49,000 children under six years of age live in poverty.
The 2008 Federal Poverty Level for a family of three is $17,600.
Children represent almost 27% of the homeless population served in
shelter facilities. Outside Baltimore City, the proportion is over 32%.
Children’s Health and Safety:
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In 2007, 80% of births in Maryland were to mothers receiving pre-natal care in the first trimester.
Only 63% of Hispanic mothers and 73% of African-American mothers received prenatal care in the
first trimester.
Approximately 7,133 infants — or over 9% — were born with low birth weight (under 5.5 lbs).
In Baltimore City, in 2007, 12.8% of all infants were born with low birth weight.
In 2006, 10% of children 17 and under did not have health insurance. 21% of poor children
(under 100% of Federal Poverty Level) age 17 and under did not have health insurance.
Over 13% of children between ages 10-17 are obese. 18% of Baltimore public high school
students are overweight or at risk.
Births to adolescents have been falling steadily over the last decade. In 2007, 2.9% of births in
Maryland were to females under 18. This was down from 4% in 1998 and 3.3% in 2002.
Similarly, the infant mortality rate in Maryland in 2007 was 8.0 per 1,000 live births, up slightly
from last year’s 7.9%. Baltimore City’s infant mortality rate was 11.3 per 1,000 live births, with
African American infants almost nine times as likely to die compared to white infants.
Child Abuse and Neglect:
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In FY 08, there were 26,550 investigations and 5,815 findings of child abuse and/or neglect.
There were about 10,000 children in out-of-home care (FY 08).
The number of foster families has declined by more than one-third over seven years — from
4,648 in October 2001 to 2,936 in 2008.
Child Care:
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In 2007, 75% of all children under age 12 (684,934 children) had mothers in the work force.
The average weekly cost of full-time child care in Maryland in 2007 was over $158 for a child
under two years of age in a family day care program and over $217 for a child care center.
Depending on the county in which they live, Maryland families spend between 15.9% and 21.1%
of their income on child care. Baltimore City’s average is over 31%. Recommended spending is
no more than 10%.
Prepared by:
Catholic Charities, Social Concerns. December 2008
Sources:
U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 American Community Survey
Kids Count 2008 Data Book Online.
Maryland Child Care Resource Network: Child Care
Demographics, 2008.
Maryland DHR Child Protective Services, 2008
Baltimore City Health Status Report, 2008
2007 Preliminary Maryland Vital Statistics Report
Maryland DHR, “Annual Report on Homelessness Services
in Maryland,” FY 2007. www,dhr.state.md.us
2008 Child Trends
Facts About Aging
…in Maryland
The Number of Older Marylanders is Increasing:
ƒ Individuals over the age of 85 are the fastest growing
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segment of the population. These individuals will grow in
number from 66,902 in 2000 to over 165,000 by 2030.
ƒ Of the nearly 5.3 million Marylanders in 2000, 15% — more
than 801,000 — were over the age of 60.
ƒ The Social Security Administration estimates there are
more than 700 Maryland citizens age 100 or older.
ƒ Throughout the U.S., there are over 55,000 centenarians
and that number is expected to reach 1.1 million by 2050.
By 2030, the percentage of Marylanders 60 and over is expected to increase to 25.1% (almost 1.7
million) of Maryland’s projected population of 6.7 million.
In this region:
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Frederick and Howard counties expect more than a 200% growth in seniors age 60 and over.
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Anne Arundel, Carroll, and Harford counties expect more than a 100% growth in the older
population.
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Baltimore City and Baltimore County expect a slower growth in their senior population —
28.8% and 63.4% respectively.
Where do Maryland Seniors Live?
ƒ Of all Maryland jurisdictions, Baltimore County — with nearly 18% of their residents age 60 and
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over — has the largest percentage of senior citizens.
Nearly 14% of the residents of Baltimore City are age 60 and over.
Low-Income Seniors Live Mostly in Baltimore City and Baltimore & Montgomery
Counties.
ƒ Almost 32% of all seniors living in Baltimore City are low-income (Federal Poverty Level — 1 person
household = $10,400).
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Of individuals age 60 and over in Baltimore County, more than 13% live in poverty.
The Highest Percentage of the State’s Minority Seniors Live in Baltimore City.
ƒ In 2000, almost one in four minority seniors lived in Baltimore City.
ƒ Other jurisdictions with large numbers of minority seniors include Prince George’s, Baltimore,
and Montgomery counties.
There is a Housing Shortage for Seniors.
ƒ In 2007, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, updating the 2004
Governor’s Housing Policy Commission finding, reported that over the next 7 years, there would be
a shortage of 151,500 affordable rental units in Maryland for various household types. Seniors
account for 16% of the shortage or 23,500 units.
More Seniors in the Workforce.
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Between 2005 and 2015, Maryland’s workforce ages 55 and older is expected to increase by 48%.
By 2020, 1 in 4 Maryland workers will be 55 or older.
Prepared by:
Catholic Charities, Social Concerns.
December 2008
Sources:
Maryland Department of Aging “2007 Annual Report,”
January 2008
Maryland State Plan on Aging, 2009-2012
U.S. Census Bureau, Centenarians in the United States, 2003
Facts About Catholic Charities
…in Maryland
Catholic Charities enters its 86 t h year of service, building on our legacy
of assisting those in need regardless of race, origin, or faith.
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Did
You
Know
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Through Catholic Charities’ Head Start and Early Head Start
programs more than 570 young children and their families in
Harford and Carroll counties and Baltimore City achieved
meaningful educational and developmental outcomes.
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The Samaritan Center helped more than 1,100 clients to meet
their utility, rent and travelers’ aid needs with funding totaling
more than $258,900.
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At the Cherry Hill Senior Center, 150 older adults remained active through educational
sessions, recreational activities, and opportunities to socialize.
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Our Daily Bread Employment Center, a comprehensive resource center to help people escape
poverty through employment and stable housing — received the 2008 National Family
Strengthening Award. At Our Daily Bread over 227,600 meals were served, Our Daily Bread
Employment Services placed 200 individuals in new jobs with an average salary of $9.50 per hour,
Christopher Place Employment Academy had a 100% successful job placement for those completing
the program and Maryland Re-Entry Partnership helped stabilize the lives of 144 ex-offenders.
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Through Gallagher Services, Catholic Charities served 870 individuals with developmental
disabilities through independent and group living assistance, vocational services, medical day
services and spiritual, recreational and social activities. This array of services and resources are
provided in three day programs and 45 homes located in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Harford
counties as well as Baltimore City.
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Catholic Charities’ Treatment Foster Care program placed children with medical, emotional,
behavioral and/or psychiatric problems in stable environments with specially trained foster
families. Over 160 children were served in therapeutic foster families, over 200 days of out-ofhome respite was provided to 13 children, and 22 medically fragile children were served.
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The Esperanza Center improved language skills, health and the immigration status of more
than 5,000 clients and their families through English as a Second Language classes, health
services, and immigration legal services.
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Catholic Charities’ Senior Housing helped people to live independently in their community
through more than 1,500 affordable senior housing units in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford and
Garrett counties as well as Baltimore City. Senior support services, to help people remain selfsufficient and stay out of assisted living and nursing homes, were provided to 170 individuals.
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Villa Maria Behavioral Health Clinics improved the mental health of nearly 3,200 children
and families throughout Baltimore City and the seven surrounding counties.
Prepared by:
Catholic Charities, Social Concerns. December 2008
Facts About Poverty
…in Maryland
The 2008 Federal Poverty Guidelines for a…
1 person household:
$10,400
2 person household:
$14,000
3 person household:
$17,600
Homelessness Affects Many Individuals and Families in Maryland:
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In FY 2007 there were 36,599 homeless persons sheltered in Maryland.
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Of all people served by homeless shelters, approximately 12,000 were served in Baltimore City.
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On 41,922 occasions people were “turned away” from shelter due to lack of space or lack of funds.
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Families represent 42% of all homeless persons served by providers of homeless services in Maryland.
• In Anne Arundel County, 61% of all homeless persons were served as a family unit.
• In Harford County, 44% of all homeless persons were served as a family unit.
• In Washington County, 45% of all homeless persons were served as a family unit.
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In Baltimore City, 81% of all persons were served as individuals — in Baltimore County 58% of all
persons served were individuals.
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More than one in four homeless persons (26.9%) served were children, between the ages of 0 to 17.
Lack of Affordable Housing Continues to Plague Maryland:
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In Maryland, 32% of all households are renters — Baltimore City, 50% of all households are renters.
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The Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Maryland is $1,102 per month. This cost for
rent would require an annual household income of $44,080 or an hourly wage of $21.19 (for a 40hour week), based on paying 30% of income for rent.
• In Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard, and Carroll counties the Fair
Market Rent for the same unit is $1,013 per month. This cost would require an annual income
of $40,520 or a wage of $19.48 per hour (for a 40-hour week).
• In Frederick County the Fair Market Rent for the same unit is $1,324 per month. This would
require an annual income of $52,960 or $25.46 per hour.
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In 2007, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, updating the 2004
Governor’s Housing Policy Commission finding, reported that over the next seven years there would
be a shortage of 151,500 affordable rental units in Maryland for different household types.
• Families account for 66% of the shortage — or 100,000 units.
• Seniors account for 16% of the shortage — or 23,500 units.
• Individuals with disabilities account for 18% of the shortage — or 28,000 units.
(OVER ►)
Income for Many Maryland Households Does NOT meet their Basic Needs:
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The Federal Poverty Level for a family of three equals $17,600 per year — or $1,467 per month.
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In Maryland, 8.3% of all households live at or below the poverty level.
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In Maryland, over 10% of our children (over 140,000) live in poverty.
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About one in four (23%) female-headed households with children lives below poverty.
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Slightly more than 16% of all households living in poverty have less than a high school diploma.
More than 35% of all female-headed households living in poverty have less than a high school
diploma.
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Approximately one in 10 households (9.2%) living in poverty have one person in the household
who works.
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Welfare rolls declined 79% from 1996 to 2007, but have risen steadily from February 2007 to
August 2008 to a level not seen since 1997.
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Statewide, on average, there are approximately 51,400 people per month who receive cash
assistance.
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Of the 51,400 on welfare, approximately 38,000 are children.
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The average family on public assistance (family of three) receives a monthly cash grant of $565
and monthly Food Stamp benefit of $426. The total monthly income of $991 for the family is
only 61% of what Maryland says the family needs ($1,624 — minimum living level) to meet their
very basic needs.
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The average wage of an adult leaving welfare for work is about $9.15 per hour.
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By August 2008, over 380,000 Marylanders relied on Food Stamps to purchase food. Food Stamps
can not be used to purchase paper goods, personal hygiene items, over-the-counter medicines,
cleaning supplies, and other non-food items.
Costs Continue to Climb for Low-Income Marylanders:
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Maryland households living below the federal poverty level (more than 172,000 households)
spend between 21% and 73% of their income on home energy bills.
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Child Care costs for low-wage working parents remain high:
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The average weekly cost of care for a child under two in family child care is more than $158
and is over $217 for a child care center.
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For a school-age child in family care the weekly cost is over $113 and over $130 for a
child care center.
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One of the major reasons parents cannot find child care in Maryland is cost.
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Many Marylanders lack health insurance coverage:
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Over 761,000 (14%) Maryland citizens have no health insurance.
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Of these, about 100,000 eligible children are not enrolled in a health insurance program
(MCHIP) designed for them.
Sources:
Maryland Committee for Children, Inc., “Child Care Demographics 2008.”
Maryland Department of Human Resources, “Annual Report on Homelessness Services in Maryland,” FY 2007. www.dhr.state.md.us
Maryland Department of Human Resources, Family Investment Administration, “Monthly Statistical Reports,” June 2008. www.dhr.state.md.us
Maryland Department of Human Resources, “Estimated Minimum Living Levels for Temporary Cash Assistance Customers,” 2008.
Maryland Kids Count Data Book, 2007.
National Low Income Housing Coalition, “Out of Reach 2007-2008”. www.hlihc.org
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, office of Research, FY 2008.
U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Reports, “Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance coverage in the United States: 2007.”
Maryland Health Care Commission, “Health Insurance Coverage in Maryland” updated 2008.
Fisher, Sheehan & Colton, “On the Brink: 2007, The Home Energy Affordability Gap, April 2008.”
U.S. Census Bureau, 2007 American Fact Finder. “Maryland: Poverty Status in Past 12 Months of Families.” http://factfinder.census.gov
Prepared by:
Catholic Charities, Social Concerns. December 2008