Child Poverty in Saint John
Child Poverty in New Brunswick

Child Poverty in Saint John

By August 9, 2020February 7th, 2021No Comments

A Startling Picture

Addressing child poverty addresses a root cause of violence and trauma. Living in poverty increases the risk of witnessing or being a victim of the violence that results in trauma. This trauma reduces that chance of breaking free of the generational nature of violence, poverty, and addiction.

As with other cities in New Brunswick, the poverty rates in the Greater Saint John area differ greatly by community and region. Overall poverty rates range from 22.6% in the city of Saint John, to 7.8% in Grand Bay-Westfield. The overall poverty rate in New Brunswick is 17.1%.

Child Poverty by Community

Here is a look at poverty rates by region of Greater Saint John:

Greater Saint John:

  • Poverty rate: 17%
  • Child poverty rate: 23.5%
Saint John (city):

  • Poverty rate: 22.6%
  • Child poverty rate: 32.7%
Grand Bay – Westfield:

  • Poverty rate: 7.8%
  • Child poverty rate: 9.8%
Hampton:

  • Poverty rate: 11.8%
  • Child poverty rate: 15.6%
Quispamsis:

  • Poverty rate: 7.9%
  • Child poverty rate: 9.4%
Rothesay:

  • Poverty rate: 9.8%
  • Child poverty rate: 14.5%

Child Poverty by Municipal Ward

The rate of child poverty in the city of Saint John is significant, with 1 in 3 children living in poverty. A further breakdown of the city by municipal wards tells a more startling picture for Wards 2 and 3; almost half of children in Ward 3 are living in poverty (47.8%).

Ward 1: 17.1%

Ward 2: 42.7%

Ward 3: 47.8%

Ward 4: 20.1%

The Saint John Human Development Council

A prominent voice addressing child poverty in Saint John, and New Brunswick as a whole, is the Saint John Human Development Council. Statistics listed here come from New Brunswick’s 2019 Child Poverty Report Card.