Gap Between the Rich & the Poor

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Overall, London enjoys a sense of prosperity.  Our city has experienced tremendous growth in residential development.  However, overall levels of poverty are on the rise across vulnerable communities.  “London has a higher proportion of residents below the low-income cut off (LICO) than many other Canadian cities, and one of the highest low-income rates in Ontario”, as reported in the City’s current agenda for children, youth and families.  We have experienced an increase in the number of single-parent families in comparison to both provincial and national levels; thereby, adding to the issue of child poverty.
Develop child poverty initiatives

Create more effective community programs

Affordable education for low-income families

Key Report Findings (click to expand)

  • Child Incidence of Poverty
    • In 2006, the incidence of child poverty in London was 11.9%, down 17.4% from 14.4% in 2000. The rate was still above the provincial level (11.8%) and the national level (11.3%).
    • Incidence of Child Poverty in London CMA, Ontario and Canada Using LICO, After-Tax, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000-2006
    		•
      Canada
      Ontario
      London
      1980
      11.9
      10.2
      10.7
      1985
      15.6
      13.3
      12.2
      1990
      13.8
      11.8
      8.5
      1995
      17.6
      16.3
      20.7
      2000
      13.8
      12.8
      14.4
      2001
      12.1
      10.3
      10.2
      2002
      12.3
      11.7
      12.6
      2003
      12.5
      11.4
      12.5
      2004
      13.0
      13.2
      12.6
      2005
      11.7
      12.6
      13.8
      2006
      11.3
      11.8
      11.9
      % change, 1980–2006
      -5.0
      15.7
      11.2
      % change, 2000–2006
      -18.1
      -7.8
      -17.4

    • Source: Statistics Canada.

      Related Articles:
      Table I-3-a: Pre-Tax Poverty Rate for Children (0-17 years of age) for Vital Signs Communities, (LIM), 2000-2006
      Table I-3-b: Child (Persons 18 years and under) Poverty Rate based on LICO for Persons Under 18 years Old in Vital Signs Communities, 2000 and 2005
      Table I-3-c-i: Incidence of Child Poverty in Vital Signs CMAs Using LICO, After-Tax, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000-2006
      Table I-3-c-ii: Incidence of Child Poverty in Vital Signs CMAs Using LICO, Before-Tax, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000-2006

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  • Proportion of Economic Families in Income Brackets
    • In 2005, 9.3% of families in London had annual incomes lower than $25,000, compared to 9.5% in Ontario and 10.5% in Canada. There was a 17.5% fall in the proportion of families in London making less than $25,000 (2005$) between 2000 and 2005. In 2005, 27.4% of families in London had annual incomes of over $100,000, compared to 30.5% in Ontario and 25.5% in Canada.  There was a 10.1% increase in the proportion of families in London with incomes above $100,000 between 2000 and 2005.

    • Source: Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population.

      Related Articles:
      Table I-1-a: Ratio of Money Income of the 10th and 90th Percentile and highest and lowest decile for Census Families for Vital Signs Communities, 2001 2005 and 2006 (Current Dollars)
      Table I-1-b: Adult Equivalent Money Income Ratio of the 90th Over the 10th Percentile in Vital Signs CMAs, 1990, 1995 and 2000
      Table I-6: Proportion of Economic Families in Income Brackets in Vital Signs Communities, 2005 Constant Dollars, 2000 and 2005
       Appendix Table I-6: Number of Economic Families by Income Bracket, 2005 Constant Dollars, 2000 and 2005

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  • Overall Incidence of Poverty for the Elderly
    • In 2006, the incidence of poverty for the elderly in London was 2.3%, down from 5.2% in 2000. The rate was below the provincial level (4.0%) and below the national level (5.4%).
    • Incidence of Poverty Based on LICO for the Elderly in London CMA, Ontario and Canada, After-Tax, for 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000-2006, %
    		•
      Canada
      Ontario
      London
      1980
      21.4
      19.6
      13.4
      1985
      14.7
      11.9
      8.1
      1990
      10.8
      8.4
      3.7
      1995
      8.6
      8.0
      0.7
      2000
      7.6
      6.1
      5.2
      2001
      6.7
      5.2
      F
      2002
      7.6
      5.6
      1.2
      2003
      6.8
      4.9
      1.9
      2004
      5.6
      3.8
      F
      2005
      6.1
      4.0
      1.8
      2006
      5.4
      4.0
      2.3
      % change, 1980–2006
      -74.8
      -79.6
      -82.8
      % change, 2000–2006
      -28.9
      -34.4
      -55.8

    • Source: Statistics Canada. “Income Trends in Canada 1976-2006”.

      Related Articles:
      Table I-5-a: Pre-Tax Poverty Rate for Persons aged 65 and over for Vital Signs Communities, (LIM), 2000-2006
      Table I-5-b: Pre-tax Incidence of Poverty for the Elderly in Vital Signs Communities for 2000 and 2005, Per Cent
      Table I-5-c-i: Incidence of Poverty Based on LICO for the Elderly in Vital Signs CMAs, After-Tax, for 1980, 1985, 1990,1995 and 2000-2006, Per Cent
      Table I-5-c-ii: Incidence of Poverty Based on LICO for the Elderly in Vital Signs CMAs, Before-Tax, for 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000-2006, Per Cent

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  • Proportion of Single Parent Families
    • In 2006 in London 16.6% of families were single-parent families. This compares to 15.9% at the national level and 15.8% at the provincial level. The rate was up from 16.2% in 2001.
    • Proportion of Single-Parent Families for London CMA, Ontario and Canada, 2001 and 2006
    		•
      Canada
      Ontario
      London
      Total Families
      8,371,020
      8,896,840
      3,190,990
      3,422,315
      119,455
      127,800
      Single Parent Families
      1,311,190
      1,414,065
      486,105
      540,715
      19,360
      21,170
      Proportion of single-parent families
      15.7
      15.9
      15.2
      15.8
      16.2
      16.6
      2001
      2006

    • Source: Statistics Canada Census Community Profiles for 2001 and 2006.

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  • Overall Incidence of Poverty for all persons based on LICO in London CMA, Ontario and Canada after Tax
    • In 2006, the overall incidence of poverty in London was 11.4%, up from 10.9% in 2000. The rate was above the provincial level (10.3%) and above the national level (10.5%).
    • Overall Incidence of Poverty for All Persons Based on LICO in London CMA, Ontario and Canada, After-Tax, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000-2006

    • Related Articles:
       Table I-2-a: Pre-Tax Overall Poverty Rate for Vital Signs Communities, (LIM), 2000-2006 (for Census Families)
      Table I-2-b: Overall Poverty Rate based on LICO for all Persons in Vital Signs Communities, 2000 and 2005
      Table I-2-c-i: Overall Incidence of Poverty Based on LICO in Vital Signs CMAs, After Tax, 1980, 1985, 1990 and 2000-2005
      Table I-2-c-ii: Overall Incidence of Poverty for All Persons Based on LICO in Vital Signs CMAs, Before Tax, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995 and 2000-2006

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RELATED LINKS

Use of Food Banks
Table I-4: Use of Food Banks for Select Vital Signs Communities, 1997 and 2004-2007

LOCAL LINKS

LIFE SPIN
http://www.execulink.com/~life/
*Low Income/Sole Parent Support

The Face of Poverty: London Free Press Report
http://web.commplus.net/marionboyd/poverty/Default.htm

Information London: Financial Assistance
http://www.info.london.on.ca/cat.asp?cid=57

Information London: Meal Calenders and Food Banks
http://www.info.london.on.ca/meal.asp

 

If you have relevant data that helps us understand the issues that shape our community, please contact us to have it linked to this page.

London Community Foundation || 130 King Street, London, Ontario || 519 667-1600