Community Lens Bulletin #81 October 2012

The 2006 Census of Population is the most current and comprehensive data source for the study of the socio-demographic characteristics of poverty. The result of the 2011 National Household Survey (NHS) will not be available until 2013 and beyond. Unlike past censuses, the NHS is a voluntary program; its data reliability and comparability with previous censuses still have to be determined. The above is the introduction to the October Community Lens bulletin #81 titled 'Tracking Poverty'. The Community Lens is prepared by Community Development Halton to disseminate and interpret important community data as it becomes available. For more information please contact us at data@cdhalton.ca or 905-632-1975 Quoting from the report "In Halton, between 2006 and 2009, the increase (19%) of the number of low-income families is more than double that of all Halton families (8.4%). The significant increase in the number of low-income families and the prevalence of low income takes place after 2007 with the onset of the global recession. By 2009, over 10,000 families lived in low income generating a poverty rate of 7.5% (after tax). By far the greatest actual and relative increase of low-income families occurs in the Town of Milton. The number of low-income families in Milton increased by over 70%, doubling the growth rate of all families. The number of low-income families in both Oakville and Burlington also experienced a growth rate of about 10%." Contact Community Development Halton for a copy of the full report.