Stark County is a low-income and low cost-of-living county. While Stark County’s economic base has been deteriorating and discretionary income has been decreasing, most Stark County families have incomes that are sufficient for basic needs. Standard measures of income (per capita, median family and median household) are below that of the state and nation. Additionally, there are income disparities. On average, males earn more than females and whites earn more than people of color. Female headed households are more likely to live in poverty.
The two groups in Stark County most impacted by and dependent upon government entitlements are those with incomes at or below poverty and seniors. The number of Stark County families receiving cash assistance (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)) has begun to increase for the first time since welfare reform in 1997. However, the number of recipients of subsidies such as food stamps, child care, and Medicaid for youth younger than 19 has increased dramatically. Currently there are an average of 70 new applications a day at the Stark County Department of Jobs and Family Services for assistance. Case loads are so high case workers no longer work with individual clients, but are assigned from a pool. In the fourth quarter of 2009, more than 50,000 people are receiving food assistance, which is more than the populations of Massillon and Louisville combined.
U.S Census Bureau - Stark County Economic Overview
Ohio Labor Market Info - Stark County Overview
The Ohio Poverty Report |
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