One-Third Of Working Californians Struggle With Poverty: Report

CALIFORNIA -- Nearly one-third of working Californians are struggling with poverty, according to a study released this week by the nonprofit Public Religion Research Institute. The Washington D.C.-based group surveyed nearly 3,200 adults in California and found they are struggling to obtain the American Dream.

Among the key findings, researchers discovered:

• 56 percent of California workers struggling with poverty say it would be at least somewhat difficult to pay for a $400 emergency expense, compared to only 24 percent of workers not struggling with poverty.
• 42 percent of workers struggling with poverty have put off seeing a doctor or purchasing medication for financial reasons

Researchers also found differences between workers who are struggling economically and those who are financially secure, including:

• Putting off seeing a doctor or purchasing medication for financial reasons (42 percent vs. 16 percent)
• Having difficulty paying rent or mortgage (37 percent vs. 16 percent)
• Being unable to pay a monthly bill (35 percent vs. 15 percent)

“It is striking that nearly one-third of Californians are finding that the promise of the American Dream—that if you work hard, you’ll get ahead—is not coming true for them,” Robert Jones, CEO of the nonprofit, said. “Grasping the magnitude of this problem and understanding the real-life struggles and hardships that impact these more vulnerable workers, is critical for California policymakers, businesses and non-profits who want to work to create a healthier, more robust employment environment in the state.”

Researchers also found varying answers among regions. For example, 68 percent of workers in the San Joaquin Valley region are struggling with poverty, together with the majority of workers in the Central Coast and Sacramento Valley (56 percent in each region). However, just 27 percent of workers in the Bay Area fall into this category.

Read the full study here.

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