Over Half of Students are Low Income

For the first time in at least 50 years, a majority of U.S. public school students come from low-income families, according to a new analysis of 2013 federal data. In 40 of the 50 states, low-income students (defined as those eligible for free or reduced-price lunches) comprised no less than 40% of all public schoolchildren.

In 21 states, such children were a majority of students in 2013. Most of the states with a majority of low-income students are in the South and the West. Mississippi had the highest rate of low-income students—71%. Connecticut, with 36% of students eligible for free or reduced price meals, was among the states, mostly in the Northeast, that were well below the national average.

Source: Southern Education Foundation, 1/16/15, Low-Income Students.