A HARD LOOK AT
POVERTY IN HENDERSON COUNTY

Poverty is a reality for many individuals and families in Henderson County and impacts our entire community. While the county has strengths and growing opportunities, too many neighbors still struggle to meet basic needs and build long-term stability.

Henderson County is home to 124,000 people, a population that has grown 11% over the past decade—matching North Carolina’s statewide growth rate—yet many residents face economic and health challenges: rent is unaffordable for 48% of renters, 12% of people lack health insurance, and there is only one mental health provider for every 370 residents. Labor market strains are evident, with five candidates for every job opening and the number of unemployed people actively seeking work rising 33% from December 2023 to December 2024. Thirty percent of residents are considered low-income (less than $62,400 for a family of four), the richest 5% of households earn on average 22 times more than the poorest 20%, and the county’s median household income is $93,100.

(Data sources, dashboard, and other counties at NCBudget.org/Snapshots)

Poverty limits the rate of growth household incomes, business profitability, and tax revenues. It drives crime rates, diminishes graduation rates, increases homelessness, and hampers employers’ abilities to hire qualified candidates.

Poverty drives crime rates, diminishes graduation rates, and increases homelessness. Furthermore, subsidy programs have a built-in disincentive known as the Cliff Effect that generates a phantom workforce in ABQ —people who want to work, can work, but will not or cannot because they will lose more childcare, Medicaid, food stamps etc. than they can replace with a new job, increased hours, and/or taking a raise.

The Circles approach to changing poverty, and these seemingly ingrained social challenges, is to work together over time to create stronger, more secure families and individuals in our community.