Median household incomes in Harris County increased over the past decade. Even so, many local families are still struggling to make ends meet.

894,000 residents live just above the poverty line. This group is often called near-poor, similar to the group that some researchers label ALICE, for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These households typically earn incomes between about $35,000 and $70,000 a year for a family of four.

781,000 residents live in poverty. These households typically earn incomes less than about $35,000 a year for a family of four. Roughly 281,000 of the members of these families are children.

So, how does poverty in Harris County compare to similar counties?

[BULLET] The share of residents who are poor is larger than in peer counties, and it has remained about the same in recent years.

[BULLET] Among poor households, more than 9 in 10 poor families spend more than 30% of their income on housing.

[BULLET] The share of poor adults who are elderly or disabled is lower than the share among peers. About 29% of poor adults fall into this group.

Comparison data can also highlight shared opportunities for economic mobility. Here are examples of four local groups with unique pathways for moving out of poverty.

Single parents of young children.

About 34,000 poor adults in the county are single parents raising a child under age 6. Studies find that connecting parents like these to accessible and affordable child care can boost their employment and earnings significantly.

Young adults near completion of a bachelor's degree.

Nearly 10,000 young adults in poverty hold at least two years of college credits and are currently out of school. Local data suggests that those who complete a bachelor's degree will earn up to 52% more income.

Young adults who are upskilling candidates.

About 100,000 young adults in poverty have a high school credential but lack a degree or a certification that empowers them to secure a good job. Research shows that certificates, associate degrees, and apprenticeships tied to in-demand occupations, such as health care and the skilled trades, pay well above the county's average and can move their households out of poverty.

Other underemployed workers.

About 38,000 poor adults are in the workforce but held back from increasing their earnings by part-time work. Local data shows that for the average worker in the county, going from part-time to full-time work can more than double their earnings.

The shared opportunities among these adults have the potential to benefit more than just themselves. Together, their households include more than 140,000 children in poverty within the county.