Income self-sufficiency among Central Iowa residents increased for a second consecutive year in 2017, according to new U.S. Census data compiled by United Way of Central Iowa. The uptick indicates that Greater Des Moines is making headway in reversing a six-year downturn in financial self-sufficiency, even as the metro’s population continues to grow, say United Way leaders. 

Sixty-seven percent of Central Iowa residents were financially self-sufficient last year, up 1.1 percentage points from 2016 and an increase of 1.8 percentage points since 2015. The data indicate that 25,000 more Central Iowans are financially self-sufficient — earning 250 percent or more of the federal poverty level — than in 2015. Improving income self-sufficiency is one of three primary community goals of United Way of Central Iowa 

“Our efforts as a community are working,” said Elisabeth Buck, president of United Way of Central Iowa. “After a six-year downturn, the number of families who are thriving in Polk, Warren and Dallas counties is increasing, and that especially means more children are having their basic needs met and are having greater opportunities for healthy development.”

Even with a significant population increase of 21,935 individuals since 2015, the self-sufficiency rate has improved in Central Iowa, United Way noted in a press release. 

A breakout of other data shows:  

• The number of children (ages 18 and under) living below the federal poverty level decreased to 13.9 percent of the population from 15.7 percent in 2015, a decrease of 1,952 children.
• The number of working-age people living below the FPL decreased to 9.6 percent, or by nearly 3,000 people, from two years ago.
• The number of African-Americans living below the FPL decreased to 28.9 percent of the population from 36.8 percent in 2015, a decrease of 1,347 individuals.

United Way of Central Iowa uses “The Cost of Living in Iowa” study from the Iowa Policy Project to define self-sufficiency as 250 percent of the federal poverty level. At this level, families can cover basic expenses, including food, housing, clothing, transportation, child care and health care. As their income continues to rise, they can begin to save, pay loans, cover education expenses and afford other items.

The 2017 data, released by the U.S. Census Bureau, represent a five-year average from 2013 to 2017. United Way of Central Iowa follows this data to determine progress toward the community Goal for 2020: 75 percent of Central Iowans being financially self-sufficient.