N.M. child poverty among worst in U.S.

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) - The Census Bureau reports that New Mexico ranks fifth nationally for the percentage of children living in poverty.

The agency's American Community Survey found that slightly more than 25 percent of children under 18 in New Mexico were below the federal poverty level in 2009.

That's an increase of about 1 percent from 2008.

Three states and the District of Columbia had higher rates of child poverty than New Mexico. Mississippi was the highest at 31 percent.

Nationally, 20 percent of children were living in poverty last year, an increase of not quite 2 percent.

The Census Bureau released the results of its survey last week.