Tennessee Poverty Rate Rises More Quickly Than U.S. Rate

From the Tennessean (1/14/08): "David Penn, director of the Business and Economic Research Center at Middle Tennessee State University, called the trends 'troubling,' especially the increase among children.' For adults, 'it could be the loss of jobs in manufacturing,' Penn said.

"Large increases or decreases over a single year can indicate major changes, Penn said, or 'it could be due to the chance of the sample.'"

"According to the census figures, Rutherford County's poverty rate is increasing faster than any of Nashville's other neighbors."