By AP
LANSING, MI – A new report says Michigan's rough economy drove more of the state's children into poverty.
The annual Kids Count state-by-state survey by the Annie E.Casey Foundation said Tuesday that 19 percent of Michigan children lived in poverty in 2007. That's up from 14 percent in 2000.
The national average was 18% in 2007 and 17% in 2000.
Michigan ranked 34th among the states in the poverty measure in
2007.
Michigan ranked 41st with 36% of its children living in families where no parent had full-time, year-round employment in 2007.
The ratings likely have worsened in the past two years as Michigan's unemployment rate has more than doubled.
Michigan's overall ranking in the Kids Count report remained unchanged at 27th.