KIDS COUNT SHOWS SOME CALHOUN IMPROVEMENT - Most Statistics Reflect Poor Ecomony

(01/05/2003)

There are good and bad statistics in the newest West Virginia Kid's Count Survey for Calhoun County, which currently reflect a trend over ten years between 1990-2000. The statistics show a county population of 7,582, a 3.8% loss over ten years. Overall, the study shows fewer Calhoun children living in poverty, from 37.1% in 1990 to 26.7% in 2000. Unmarried teenagers ages 10-18 continue to have one of the state's highest pregnancy rates with a 44.5% increase since 1990, although there is improvement in the pregnancy rate of children over age 15 by 22.4%. There is a slight increase to 20.0% of children being parented in single-parent families. Families who receive cash assistance has declined by 57.5% through welfare reform. Education expenditures per pupil have increased from $5,644 in 1990 to $7,802 in 2000, an increase of 38.2%. The number of jobs held in high paying industries have gone down since 1999 with a 17.5% loss. The number of jobs held in low paying industries have gone down since 1999 with a 18.3% loss. Regional jobs held by many Calhoun residents, those who drive 100-150 miles daily to work, are rapidly vanishing, most relocating in foreign markets. The county maintains one of the highest ongoing unemployment statistics in the nation. Over thirty counties in West Virginia, the largest employer is the county Board of Education, with Wal-Mart being the state's largest employer. A somewhat conflicting statistic indicates an increase (ten year span) to 80.1% of babies with low birth weight, while the infant mortality rate has improved by 53.9%, likely because of primary health care services provided by social service agencies and Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center continue to improve. At the same time the county shows an increase of infant deaths over the ten years by 66.8%, children ages 1-14 per 100,000. There is a 22.3% increase in children served by Head Start. Children receiving free and reduced school meals is at 64%, with an improving drop-out rate of 16.4%. The county has one of the lowest median family incomes in the state.

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