Why Cities Matter to Welfare Reform

The report finds that, over the last five years, welfare caseloads have become predominantly urban. In 1994, when national welfare rolls hit a historic high, 48 percent of welfare recipients lived in the 89 counties. By contrast, in 1999, these counties were home to 58 percent of the nation's welfare recipients. The fact that families on welfare are concentrated in urban areas has important implications for the success or failure of welfare reform. The complete report; urban, county, and state welfare data; racial and ethnic welfare data; and ten state fact sheets are all available online.