Low-Income Working Families Dispersed Throughout Nation

An analysis of IRS Earned Income Tax Credit data across all 50 states finds that low-income working families live in large cities and rural areas in nearly equal numbers, creating common policy interests for supporters of urban neighborhoods and small rural towns alike...The spatial distribution of EITC earners shows that in a large number of states, supporters of large cities and small rural towns share a common interest in advancing a policy agenda that benefits the working poor. State governments should consider building on the federal EITC through state tax codes; ensuring that more eligible families get the credit for free or pay a reasonable amount to do so; and revisiting policies that may discourage low-income families from saving refund dollars.