Low-income boys in areas of higher inequality drop out of school more often than low-income boys in lower-inequality areas
Source: Calculations made by Melissa Kearney and Phillip Levine using data from the 1979 and 1997 National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth, National Educational Longitudinal Survey, Education Longitudinal Survey, and High School and Beyond survey.
Note: Income inequality measured as the ratio between the 50th and 10th percentiles of the income distribution.
Note: Income inequality measured as the ratio between the 50th and 10th percentiles of the income distribution.
States with greater inequality have higher dropout rates among low-income children: 1980 – 2000
Ratio of the 50th percentile of household income to the 10th percentile of the distribution of income Mouse over map for detail, tap on touch device
Ratio of the 50th percentile of household income to the 10th percentile of the distribution of income Mouse over map for detail, tap on touch device
Inequality level:
Dropout rate:
Dropout rate:
District of Columbia
income inequality is measured by the 50/10 ratio
Source: Calculations made by Melissa Kearney and Phillip Levine based on data from the 1980-2000 Census of the United States.