ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

DATA ANALYSIS

The Capital Region Planning Commission (CRPC) is committed to promoting economic opportunity by addressing disparities in economic assistance, poverty, and rural-urban divides. This report analyzes key economic indicators such as unemployment, income levels, poverty rates, and households receiving income assistance. The data includes insights from tables, maps, bar charts, and a line graph, all of which help to illustrate the unequal economic opportunities across the CRPC region.

POVERTY LEVELS

In public hearings for the MOVE 2042 metropolitan transportation plan, many participants expressed preference for dispersed, suburban, development. The expanding development footprint lengthens worker commutes and increases the cost of providing public services and infrastructure. The Capital Region exhibits a definite Urban-Rural divide, with rural parishes losing both population and jobs. This divide is also reflected in significant Median Household Income disparities across the various parishes.

    Key Findings – Overall Poverty (2023 & 2000):

    • Poverty remains a significant challenge in the region, with St. Helena (23%), Washington (22%), and West Feliciana (22%) showing the highest poverty rates in 2023.
    • Ascension Parish continues to report the lowest poverty rate at 11%, highlighting disparities between parishes.
    • In most parishes, poverty rates in 2023 are higher or remain consistent compared to 2000, indicating persistent economic hardship despite two decades of development.

    Key Findings – Child Poverty (2023 & 2000):

    • Child poverty rates are alarmingly high in several parishes, with St. Helena (35%), Iberville (32%), and Washington (31%) reporting the highest levels in 2023.
    • Ascension shows the lowest child poverty rate at around 13%, indicating stronger socioeconomic conditions relative to neighboring parishes.
    • In contrast to the adult population, child poverty rates in 2023 exceed 2000 levels in most parishes, underscoring a growing need for targeted youth and family support programs.

    HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCOME ASSISTANCE 

    The line graph tracks the percentage of households receiving income assistance across the CRPC region, illustrating trends in economic hardship.

    The following insights were gathered from the graph:

        • St. Helena Parish and Washington Parish have the highest percentage of households receiving income assistance, with figures above both national and regional averages. This indicates widespread economic difficulties in these areas.
        • Ascension Parish and Livingston Parish have lower percentages of households receiving income assistance, reflecting stronger economic stability compared to other parishes.
    The line graph underscores the deep economic need in rural and high-poverty parishes like St. Helena and Washington, where a significant portion of the population relies on income support to meet basic needs.

    ECONOMIC DISTRESS CRITERIA

    Economic distress is a key indicator of economic opportunity and helps to identify regions that are economically struggling. The table below shows the 24-month average unemployment rate, 2022 per capita personal income (PCPI), and 2022 per capita money income (PCMI) across various parishes in the CRPC region, according to the table to the left.

    This table reveals significant economic distress in parishes like St. Helena, which has the highest unemployment rate of 5.45%, coupled with the second lowest per capita income. Washington Parish also faces economic challenges, with an unemployment rate of 4.43% and the lowest per capita income, further underscoring the need for targeted economic interventions in these areas.

    RURAL VS. URBAN AREA BREAKDOWN

    A breakdown of rural versus urban development shows that most parishes in the CRPC region are predominantly rural, leading to potential disparities in access to resources and infrastructure. The table to the right highlights these differences.

    The map provided further visualizes the high percentage of rural areas in parishes like East Feliciana, West Feliciana, and St. Helena. These fully rural parishes may struggle with access to essential services, infrastructure, and economic opportunities, placing them at a disadvantage compared to more urbanized areas.

    The CRPC region faces significant challenges to economic opportunity, particularly in rural areas and parishes with high poverty, unemployment, and reliance on income assistance. By addressing these issues through focused economic development, poverty reduction, and infrastructure investments, the CRPC can work towards a more equitable and prosperous future for all residents.