Alan Berube Brookings Institution

Nationally, suburbs have become home to the largest and fastest growing poor population Source: Brookings analysis of decennial census and 2013 American Community Survey 1-yr Estimates data NOTE: The federal poverty threshold for a family of four was $23,550 in 2013

The trend has been even more pronounced in the Seattle metropolitan area Source: Brookings analysis of decennial census and 2013 American Community Survey 1-yr Estimates data NOTE: The federal poverty threshold for a family of four was $23,550 in 2013

The fastest growth in the poor population took place in suburban King County Source: Brookings analysis of 2000 decennial census and 2013 American Community Survey 1-year Estimates data +42, , ,000 +5, ,000 +6,000 Change in Poor Population, 2000 to % to 20% 40% to 60% 80% to 100% Over 100%

But poverty did not grow evenly throughout the county Source: Brookings analysis of 2000 decennial census and 2012 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates data Poverty Rate, 2000

Source: Brookings analysis of 2000 decennial census and 2012 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates data But poverty did not grow evenly throughout the county Poverty Rate,

Poverty rates spiked in several South King County cities

South King County also saw the number of jobs near the typical resident decline between 2000 and 2012

Key Challenges Transit Access Strained Local Services Limited Philanthropic Resources Change in School Populations

Educational attainment distributes unequally across King County’s cities Share of adults with post-secondary degree,

Higher levels of post-secondary attainment are still strongly linked to higher lifetime earnings Source: Carnevale, Rose, and Cheah, “The College Payoff” (2011).

College completion increases upward mobility for low- income Americans Born into bottom quintile Source: Reeves (2014)

Family income remains a strong predictor of completing a post-secondary degree/credential

7.3% Less than High School 14.3% High School Diploma 23.1% Some College/ No Degree 28.2% Associate’s 61% Master’s 73% Doctoral 83% Professional Bachelor’s Degree Median Lifetime Earnings Occupation also matters greatly—workers with somewhat less education who work in high-paying fields can earn more than workers with more education Source: Carnevale, Rose, and Cheah, “The College Payoff” (2011).

Demand for higher education and STEM skills in the Seattle region is very high compared to other regions Source: Rothwell, “Still Searching” (2014) 59% 47%36% Share of job openings requiring post-secondary degree, 2012 Rank: 5 th of 100 Share of job openings requiring STEM skills, 2013 Rank: 10 th of 100 Share of job openings requiring STEM skills and bachelor’s, 2013 Rank: 12 th of 100 Seattle metro area data on job openings and education demand

King County has relied heavily on migrants to boost the ranks of its educated workers King County—74% Rank: 25 th of 100 Share of bachelor’s holders born in state of residence, 100 largest counties, 2013

The region’s post-secondary institutions differ in their graduates’ preparedness to hold jobs in STEM fields

K-12 and post-secondary institutions can also consider how their curricula prepare students for key industry clusters in different parts of King County 1 Dot = 1 Job Manufacturing Wholesale Trade Retail Trade Transportation and Warehousing Information Professional Services Educational Services Health Care and Social Assistance

Initiatives here and elsewhere are addressing suburban poverty by boosting educational opportunity Economic Development Post-secondary transitions Place-Based Skill Building K-12 Regional Sector-Specific Adult Education Early Childhood Immigrant Integration Sub-Regional

The work of the Coalition and the Road Map Project provide critical “north stars” for other supportive efforts

1. This region exhibits a dramatic increase in suburban poverty, posing special challenges for educators 2. Evidence remains strong that success in higher education is the critical pathway out of poverty 3. In addition to more education, what you study matters for economic outcomes, and STEM skills are highly valued in this region 4. Coordinating efforts of the Coalition and the Road Map are national models and critical for keeping everyone focused on the “big stuff” Final thoughts

While high-wage jobs are densely clustered, low- wage jobs are present throughout the region Jobs by Wage Level 1 Dot = 1 Job > $40,000 per year < $15,000 per year