New Study Shows That Poor Children Can Rise Out of Poverty in Laramie County

These days, you hear a lot about income inequality and the growing divide between the rich and the poor. According to a recent study published in the New York Times, children who grow up poor here in Laramie County have a better chance of rising out of poverty than they do in other parts of the country.

“The Impacts of Neighborhoods on Intergenerational Mobility” charts future incomes for children from different economic backgrounds across the nation. Here in Laramie County, a child who grows up in a poor family will earn, on average, over $2,000 more than their parents do. It might not sound like much, but the upward financial mobility of economically disadvantaged children rates in the 72nd percentile nationally.

By way of comparison, children from middle class families are likely to out earn their parents by just over $1,400 per year. Meanwhile, upper class children will typically earn a similar income while the richest 1% of children will make slightly less than their parents.

Researchers credit Laramie County's upward mobility to several factors, including education, crime rates and the number of two parent homes in comparison to the national average.

As encouraging as the statistics are, Laramie County falls behind other areas in Wyoming when it comes to intergenerational mobility. Campbell County ranks first among low income and middle class boys. Weston County ranks first among low income and middle class girls and upper income boys. Converse County ranks first among upper income girls and the richest 1% of girls. Meanwhile, Uinta County ranks first among the richest 1% of boys.

For the full results of the study, including breakdowns of all 18 Wyoming counties, click here.