The Florida Chamber Foundation’s analysis of the latest childhood poverty figures highlights encouraging progress in our united, business-led effort to cut Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030. The latest figures reveal that 714,768 Florida children are living in poverty, a significant decrease of 218,852 children since the launch of the Florida Prosperity Project in 2016 and a reduction of 22,799 over the last year alone. Despite the overall population of children in Florida increasing in 2023, the number of children in poverty continued to decrease. For the eighth consecutive year, both the number of children and the percentage of children in poverty throughout Florida declined.
“Breaking the cycle of generational poverty is not only a moral imperative but also a smart business decision,” said Florida Chamber Foundation President Mark Wilson. “When I testified about the Florida zip code model before Congress in 2016, 23.3% of Florida’s children lived in poverty. Today, that number has dropped to 16.9%. This progress led by employer and community leaders is worth applauding, but the work is far from over.”
Kristina Donohue, Director of the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Project, emphasized the importance of partnerships in this ongoing effort. “The progress we’ve made is a direct result of the collaboration and leadership of the individuals serving on the Florida Prosperity Project Advisory Board, zip code adopters, local businesses, community advocates, and policymakers. While there are many leaders and groups to thank, I would like to thank the leaders of Hope Florida for aligning government and business leaders for improved self-sufficiency. By working together on this shared vision to cut Florida childhood poverty in half, we’re securing Florida’s future and paving the way for generational change.”
Data Snapshot
- Overall Poverty in Florida: 12.6%
- Highest: Gadsden County, 27.7%
- Lowest: Wakulla County, 5.6%
- Overall Childhood Poverty in Florida: 16.9%
- Highest: Gadsden County, 41.6%
- Lowest: Wakulla County, 6.5%
- Florida Under 5 Poverty Rate: 18.2%
- Florida Poverty Rates by Race/Ethnicity:
- Asian: 10.1%
- Black or African American: 19.5%
- Hispanic: 15.1%
- White 9.4%
How Leaders Can Get Involved with Cutting Florida Childhood Poverty in Half
Join the Florida Prosperity Project
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Project has created the Florida Model to address the 10 root causes of poverty, ensuring every child has a pathway to prosperity, one zip code at a time. To learn how you can join our efforts to cut Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030, contact Kristina Donohue at kdonohue@flchamber.com.
Register for the 2025 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit, May 29, in Daytona Beach, FL
Join the ongoing efforts at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2025 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit on May 29 in Daytona Beach, FL. This annual event will provide insights into the 10 root causes of poverty and explore actionable solutions for business and community leaders to lead efforts at the zip-code level. You can learn more and register HERE.
The Florida Chamber Foundation’s efforts to cut Florida childhood poverty in half by 2030 are led by the following individuals and companies who serve on the Florida Prosperity Project Advisory Board:
- Sky Beard, Florida Director, No Kid Hungry
- Maritza Martinez-Guerrero, VP of External Affairs & Philanthropy, Orlando Magic
- Mike Griffin, Senior VP of Advocacy & Public Policy, Advent Health
- Jim Miller, Strategic Solutions – Office of the President, Maximus
- Dana Gryniuk, President, Simply Healthcare
- Jon Romine, COO, Collaboratory
- Andy Sweet, CEO & President, Children’s Home Society of Florida
- Susan Towler, Executive Director, Florida Blue