Ga. has one of the highest poverty rates in US - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Ga. has one of the highest poverty rates in US

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DeAvonte Carter DeAvonte Carter
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ALBANY, GA (WALB) -

New numbers from the US Census Bureau rank Georgia's poverty rate as one of the highest in the country.

In 2011, 14.7% of families in Georgia lived below the poverty line.

Georgia is tied with Kentucky for the sixth highest poverty rate in the nation.

We talked to a Darton State College economist who says politics may hold the key to reducing the rate and one Albany man working to get out of poverty by going to college.

"The tax system can help lower poverty if you raise taxes on high income and use those funds to redistribute to low incomes, but I think we need to rethink the anti-poverty programs that are in place," said Darton State economist Aaron Johnson.

"I can do it (make it out of poverty). I'm 21. I'm young and I can make a difference. I want be something to myself and do something for myself," said DeAvonte Carter.

Mississippi has the worst poverty rate in America and New Hampshire has the best.

 

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