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Salisbury-Rowan Community Action Agency,Inc. 18.8%of Rowan's population is below the poverty level and 13.2%of Cabarrus'population is under the poverty level. (C) Provide demographic information of those adversely effected inclusive of; With the current rate of unemployment in Rowan County's at 5.3%and Cabarrus County's rate of unemployment at 4.3%,there are some notable differences in the level of occupational skills between participants in each of the service counties,with Cabarrus having a more skilled labor force than Rowan. In addition,Cabarrus has more opportunities for growth and is adjacent to Mecklenburg County, one of the nation's fastest growing municipalities,which increases employment opportunities for residents.Additionally, Mecklenburg County is in excess of 45 miles from Rowan County, and according to the US Census Bureau,more than 4,900 Rowan County residents commute there. For those constituents working the lower paying jobs,the cost of commuting alone negatively impacts their personal budgets. (a) Gender According to the American Community Survey, 12.4%of families living in North Carolina are at or below the poverty level.Families with children experience poverty at a much higher rate.Women and single mothers experience an increased rate of poverty at 34%in comparison to two parent homes. In regards to housing, Rowan County Helping Ministries for the homeless has sheltered 623 different men,women and children with 22,009 nights of shelter services in the last year. This agency services most of the homeless in Rowan County,and recently built a new shelter adding needed beds.This high increase of individuals needing shelter still contributes to families living in cars, hotels, and in substandard crowded conditions. (b) Age Families face impoverishment due to the lack of employment opportunities, education and occupational skills training for the employment opportunities that are available. According to the United States Census Bureau,North Carolina's High school graduation rate for persons over 25 is 83.9%. In Cabarrus County the graduation rate for this same group is 87.4%and persons with Bachelor's Degrees or higher is 26.2%compared to the states 27.3%. In Rowan County, there is a marked difference. High school graduates over 25 years of age, is only 81.9%and those with Bachelor's degrees or higher dips to 17.2%. i According to the United States Census Bureau,the estimated number of those living in poverty in Rowan County is 24,137,or 18%of the population.There are 8,878 people living in poverty ages 0 —17,and families with children ages 5—17 are 6,111 or 26.3%of Rowan County's population. The estimated number of those living in poverty in Cabarrus County is 23,213,or 12.2%of the population.There are 8,300 people living in poverty ages 0—17, and families with children ages 5 --17 are 5,635 or 15%of Cabarrus County's population. Fiscal Year 2017-18 Community Services Block Grant Application Attachment number 2\n Page 21 of 37 F-9 Page 124