Incomes Rose in West Hempstead, But So Did Poverty Rates

While the majority of West Hempstead residents saw modest growth in their household income, the percentage of the local population living below the poverty line increased in the community over the past decade. Families with young children, particularly those with single mothers, were the most vulnerable to financial strife.

This is according to estimates from a five-year study released by the U.S. Census Bureau earlier this week. Unlike the U.S. Census, the 2005-2009 American Community Survey (ACS) collects population and housing information on an annual basis. While the 2010 United States Census will not be released until February, much of the information revealed by the ACS survey can be compared to the data from the 2000 Census.

According to these figures, the poverty rate for families living in the hamlet of West Hempstead rose by 2 percent to 5.4 percent between 2000 and the 2005-2009 period. Families with younger children were more likely to fall under the poverty level. Within the past year, nearly 12 percent of households with kids under age 5 were in poverty. This figure was 100 percent if these youngsters were being raised by a single mother.

Ofcourse, this small percentage does not depict the norm for most West Hempstead residents, who saw some economic growth and stability despite downturns in the economy toward the latter part of the survey period that resulted in higher unemployment rates. A comparison of the two sets of data from the 2000 Census and the latest ACS, demonstrate that household incomes showed modest growth, with the median reported as $71,260 in 2000 (calculated in 1999 dollars) and rising to $94,632 (in 2009 dollars). When these figures are both measured in 2009 dollars, the increase only amounted to about $3,750.

Rosalie Norton, president of the West Hempstead Community Support and Civic Association speculated that the rise in poverty may be attributed to the loss of jobs in this ailing economy.

"A lot of jobs have been excessed and nothing has come along to cause businesses to turn around and start hiring again," Norton said.

Norton explained that since West Hempstead is comprised mostly of middle class and upper middle class families, a loss in employment could result in a dramatic change in the poverty rate.

"I could see where there would be situations occurring where people who had very good jobs are now at a point where they are employed," she said. "If this was a community comprised of lower class citizens, you wouldn't see that influx."

While the percentage of the West Hempstead population over the age of 16 in the workforce increased from 2000, when it was at 64.6 percent, to 67 percent, unemployment also went up. The unemployment rate climbed from 2.3 percent in 2000 to 3.2 percent for the hamlet's total population. Among the nearly 9,500 members of the civilian workforce, 4.8 percent found themselves unemployed between 2005 and 2009. The majority of those who did work held managerial and other professional positions, with the largest portion of the local population employed in the fields of education, health care and social services.

Norton had another theory for why poverty rates may have increased. She said that the struggling economy, coupled with the lack of affordable housing on Long Island, has prompted some residents to open up their homes to relatives from other areas.

"Perhaps, it is not original residents living here who [are falling below the poverty line]," Norton suggested. "The household income of the homeowner could have stayed the same," she explained, but  the amount of people residing in their home may have risen.

The census data does show some evidence of this trend, as the average household size increased from 3.09 in 2000 to 3.21 in recent years, and the overall population rose by roughly 30 people to 18,743. The figures also show that while the number of residents grew, there was a slight increase in the number of vacant housing units, from 86 to 95.

The report also demonstrates that West Hempstead became even more of a melting pot over the past decade as the diverse groups that comprise the community grew.

• While 82.7 percent of the population described themselves as "White" in 2000, this figure declined to 78.6 percent.
• The African American population increased from 5.9 to 7.7 percent.
• Asian Americans now comprise more of West Hempstead's population shifting from 5.1 in 2000 to 6 percent.
• There was nearly a 3 percent increase in the Hispanic population, which grew from 9.9 to 12.8 percent.
• An additional 5.6 percent of the local population identified with other races not listed in the survey.

"The data provided through the ACS provide a statistical foundation to evaluate our nation's needs, and we now share them with communities across the country as a powerful resource for decision making," Census Bureau Director Robert Groves said.

Residents who have fallen on tough times can find help from various groups in the West Hempstead, most of which are affiliated with religious in the community, Norton added.

These include programs at ,  and the , among others, she said. They provide relief for young families, the elderly and any resident in need.

"They encourage people to come forward," Norton said. "While donations are down, they do everything they possibly can, even if it's to help people maneuver through the systems of our federal agencies."