Rise of Poverty in US Suburbs 1

A Brookings’ article released last year drew attention to the new reality that, in the U. S., poverty is more prevalent in the suburbs than in the urban areas. Fifty-six percent of those living in poverty in major metro areas are living in the suburbs. Between 2000-2013, the suburban poor grew twice as fast as the urban poor.

While such growth is tragic, suburban poverty growth is especially troubling. The suburbs were designed for wealth and escape from changing urban contexts. This design did not allow for the development of the infrastructure which often assists the poor (e.g., public transportation, government offices). The suburbs do not have much age, houses and buildings have not had time to become dilapidated. Therefore, no poverty to see here!

Could one of the reasons for the explosion of new churches (and relocating churches) in the suburbs from the 1970s-1990s have been in preparation for the rise of poverty? In a time when evangelicals are making urban ministry cool again, we should be careful that we do not overlook (or ignore) the changing realities in the suburbs.

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My latest book To the Edge: Reflections on Kingdom Leadership, Mission, and Innovation was published last week. Get your copy here.