"Poverty is closer than most of us think. In Harris County, 1 in 6 people lives in poverty. In the City of Houston, that number is closer to 1 in 5 — and more than 20% of Houston children grow up without enough. Understanding poverty is the first step toward doing something about it."
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
One in six families in the Galveston-Houston area struggles with poverty. In Harris County, 16.5% of people live in poverty; in the City of Houston, that number rises to 20.7%, including more than 20% of children under 18. Catholic Charities explains two types of poverty — generational and situational — and invites community members to help by volunteering, speaking up for people in need, or making a financial gift.
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One in six families in our community struggles with poverty. It’s easy to assume that we don’t know anyone living in poverty, but that may not be true.
Catholic Social Teaching proclaims that all people should be treated with dignity and respect. That belief lies at the heart of the mission of Catholic Charities. We are people of faith, helping people in need achieve self-sufficiency and live with dignity.
Catholic Charities is a game changer for people in poverty. We offer a network of life-changing programs that work together to serve as a bridge to help people move from poverty to wholeness.
Everyone can do something to help. Volunteer. Be a voice for people in need. Make a financial gift.
Join us in creating hope in the hearts of our impoverished neighbors.
Poverty takes many forms. Families can be trapped in generational poverty, meaning that children are born and grow up in a low-income environment, and eventually become parents themselves while never escaping from a life of want. By federal definition, a family of four making $30,000 is living in poverty.
Poverty also can be situational, or temporary, often brought on by a crisis – for example, a large medical bill or car repair. According to recent research, more than half of Americans live paycheck to paycheck with insufficient savings to handle emergencies – even families with six figure incomes.
The federal poverty threshold for poverty for a family of 4 is $30,000 (2024).
The minimum wage is below poverty: Someone making Texas minimum wage of $7.25/hour makes just over $15,000/year – based on a 40-hour week, times 52 weeks annually.
In Harris County, 16.5% of the total population is in poverty; in Galveston County, 13.8%; in Fort Bend County, 8%.
In the City of Houston, 20.7% of the total population is in poverty; in Galveston, 19.2%.
20.8% of children under 18 in Houston are in poverty.
Poverty Portrait Service Areas
Austin
Brazoria
Fort Bend
Galveston
Grimes
Harris
Montgomery
San Jacinto
Walker
Waller
United Way of Greater Houston: Four in 10 households – most of them with jobs – are working hard but can’t afford the basic necessities of life. Read about ALICE.
Poverty USA is an initiative of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development.
Request A Quote
- Visit the Catholic Charities website to learn about volunteer opportunities
- Sign up to give a monthly gift to support families in need
- Share what you've learned about local poverty with people in your circle
- Read about ALICE households through United Way of Greater Houston — families with jobs who still can't cover basics
- Check out Poverty USA to explore national context from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development
- Contact Catholic Charities directly to ask how you can get involved in your area
