FAMILY AND YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES

Community Indicators

Pregnancy Rate for Females Age 15 to 17

Low Birth Weight Babies as a Percent of Total Births

Residents Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

(SNAP) Benefits

Percent Living in Poverty

Cases of Child Abuse Per 1,000 Children

Percent of School Students Receiving Free or Reduced Lunch

Infant Mortality Rate

Renters Whose Housing Expenses Exceed 30% of Household Income

City of Virginia Beach

Community Indicators Updated September 2011

Pregnancy Rate for Females Age 15 to 17

The number of teenage pregnancies in Virginia Beach declined 13.5% from 2008

to 2009. From 2001 to 2005, the rate declined 26.4% from 29.5 per 1,000 fe-

males to 21.7 per 1,000. From 2005 to 2007, the rate remained relatively flat.

However, in 2008 the rate increased to its highest rate since 2004. As the graph below shows, Virginia Beach

had the lowest pregnancy rate for females between the ages of 15 to 17 in Hampton Roads in 2009.

Significance of the Indicator

There are health risks for the baby and children born to teenage mothers. These children are more likely to suf-

fer health, social, and emotional problems. Women who become pregnant during their teens have an increased

risk for complications, such as premature labor and socioeconomic consequences as well.

Births to teenage mothers are associated with lower annual income for the mother. Eighty percent of teen moth-

ers must rely on public assistance at some point. Teenage mothers are also more likely to drop out of school, as

only about one-third of teen mothers obtain a high school diploma. For teen fathers, teenage pregnancies are

associated with increased rates of alcohol and substance abuse, lower educational level, and reduced earning

potential.

Source

This data is provided by the Virginia

Department of Public Health, Divi-

sion of Health Statistics. This data is

updated annually.

Description

This indicator measures

the number of pregnan-

cies for female’s ages 15

to 17 as a proportion of

women in that age group.

22.3 21.1 22.4

54.056.7

25.9

37.233.5

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

Comparison of Pregnancy Rates for Females Age 15 to 17 in 2009

29.527.8

21.7 21.2 21.1

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

30.0

35.0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Calendar Year

Pregnancy Rate of Females Age 15 to 17 in Virginia Beach

Low Birth Weight Babies as a Percent of Total Births

Significance of the Indicator

Low birth weight means that an infant is born weighing lass than 2,500 grams. Birth weight is a major predictor of

infant health and survival; so, the number of low birth weight babies born for every 100 babies is used as a meas-

ure. According to the March of Dimes, low-birth weight babies are more likely than babies of normal weight to have

health problems during the newborn period. Serious medical problems are most common in babies born at very

low birth weight (less than 1,500 grams). Some studies also suggest that individuals who are born with low birth

weight may be at increased risk for certain chronic health conditions in adulthood.

Source

This data is provided by the Virginia Department of Public Health, Division of Health Statistics. This data is

updated annually.

After experiencing a significant decline in low birth weight babies as a percentage of total births, the percent-

age of such births increased in Virginia Beach in 2010. Despite this increase, the City maintained its rank as

having the lowest percentage in Hampton Roads and also remained below the State average.

Description

This indicator tracks low

birth weight babies as a

percent of total births.

Low birth weight is de-

fined as a birth of less

than 2,500 grams (5.5

pounds).

7.2%

8.7%8.5%

6.9%

7.9%

5.0%

6.0%

7.0%

8.0%

9.0%

10.0%

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Calendar Year

Low Birth Weight Babies as a Percent of Total Births in Virginia Beach

8.2% 7.9% 8.1%

10.0% 10.3%

11.8%

10.1%9.2%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%Percent of Low Birth Weight Babies in Hampton Roads in 2010

Residents Receiving Supplemental Nutrition

Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits

Significance of the Indicator

This indicator is one of the gauges of economic well-being in the City. To be eligible for this program, participants

must meet a set of eligibility requirements.

Source

This data is provided by the Virginia Department of Social Services. This data is updated monthly.

The average number of residents receiving benefits each month from the SNAP program

increased 165.2% from fiscal year 2002 to 2011. From 2010 to 2011, this percent in-

crease was 14.8%. Although the number of participants is increasing in Virginia Beach, the

City still has the lowest percentage of residents receiving these benefits.

Description

This indicator measures the aver-

age number of residents receiv-

ing Supplemental Nutrition Assis-

tance Program (SNAP) benefits

each month. The SNAP program

was formerly known as the Food

Stamp program. According to

the Virginia Department of Social

Services, the purpose of the

SNAP Program is to reduce hun-

ger and increase food security.

11,752

16,757

31,163

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

35,000

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Fiscal Year

Residents of Virginia Beach Receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits

7.1%

9.5%

19.0%

22.3%

14.0%

14.2%

18.3%

0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0%

Virginia Beach

Chesapeake

Norfolk

Portsmouth

Suffolk

Hampton

Newport News

Percent of Residents Receiving SNAP Benefits in FY 2010-11

Significance of the Indicator

Poverty has wide-ranging and often devastating effects. Many of its effects, such as poor nutrition and physical

health problems, result directly from having too little income or too few resources. As a result of poor nutrition and

health problems, infant mortality rates among the poor are higher than average, and life expectancies are lower than

average.

Other effects of poverty may include higher incidences of infectious disease and drug dependence. In many cases,

the primary effects of poverty lead to other problems. Extended hunger and lack of employment, for instance, may

lead to depression, which may sometimes

contribute to criminal behavior.

Source

The Source for this data is the US Census

Bureau American Community Survey.

This data is updated annually.

Percent of People Living in Poverty

Since 2000, the poverty rate for children is the highest of any age group in

Virginia Beach with approximately one in ten children living in poverty. In

2010, the poverty rate for children increased for the second straight year. The

poverty rate for individuals increased by 1% after remaining relatively flat for

three straight years, while the rate for the elderly remained flat.

The City of Virginia Beach has the second lowest poverty rate in the Hampton

Roads area for all three population segments.

Description

This indicator measures the pro-

portion of each population seg-

ment living below the federal

poverty level. Population seg-

ments are defined as follows:

Children - Age 17 and younger

Elderly - Age 65 and older

Individuals – All ages

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

14.0%

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Calendar Year

Percent of the Virginia Beach Population Living in Poverty

Children

Elderly

Individuals

10.5% 9.7%

24.9%

30.6%

17.5% 18.8%

23.8%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

Comparison of Hamption Roads Poverty Rates for 2010

Individuals

Elderly

Children

Cases of Child Abuse Per 1,000 Children

Significance of the Indicator

The impact of child abuse and neglect

is far greater than its immediate, visi-

ble effects. These experiences can

shape child development and have

consequences that last years, even

lifetimes. Research now shows that

the physical, psychological, and be-

havioral consequences of child abuse

and neglect impact not just the child

and family, but the community as a

whole.

The physical effects of abuse can

range from learning disabilities, im-

paired brain development to lifelong

poor physical health. The immediate psychological effects of abuse and

neglect include isolation, fear, and a lack of trust which can spiral into

long-term mental health consequences including depression and anxi-

ety, low self-esteem, difficulty establishing and maintaining relation-

ships, eating disorders, and even suicide attempts. Studies have found

abused or neglected children to be at least 25 percent more likely to

experience problems in adolescence, including: delinquency, teen preg-

nancy, drug use, and low academic achievement. As adults, children

who experienced abuse or neglect have an increased likelihood of crimi-

nal behavior, involvement in violent crime, abuse of alcohol and other

drugs, and abusive behavior.

Source

This data is from the Virginia Depart-

ment of Social Services Division of Child

Protective Services. These data are up-

dated annually.

After remaining fairly consistent from 2001 to 2005, the number of child abuse and neglect cases

per 1,000 children fell dramatically from 2006 to 2008. The number of cases increased slightly in

3009 and 2010, but remains well below the rates experienced in the early 2000’s. The City of Vir-

ginia Beach had the third highest number of cases of child abuse per 1,000 children in 2009.

Description

This indicator measures the

founded cases of child abuse or

neglect per 1,000 children in

Virginia Beach.

8.3

10.2

5.1

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Calendar Year

Cases of Child Abuse in Virginia Beach Per 1,000 Children

5.1

1.6

6.7

2.6

1.5

5.7

3.3

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

Comparison of Child Abuse Cases Per 1,000 Children in Hampton Roads for 2010

Significance of the Indicator

This indicator can serve as a rough measure of children in poverty, which is

correlated with at risk status for academic failure. This has led to the use of

these data as a measure of need for additional intervention to ensure aca-

demic success among all students.

Although there is no established benchmark of concern for this indicator, a student population in which

over 25% of the students are in homes that are economically stressed creates challenges for students

to learn. The large percentage of students at risk may take focus away from other students in the class-

room.

Source

These data are provided by the Virginia

Department of Education School Nutri-

tion Program and are updated each

Percent of School Students Receiving Free or

Reduced Price Lunch

In 2011, the percent of students receiving free or reduced price lunch de-

clined erasing a two year trend. After having the second lowest rate in

2010, Virginia Beach had the lowest rate of students receiving free and

reduced price lunch.

Description

This indicator measures the

percentage of school stu-

dents that receive either a

free or reduced priced lunch.

Children from families with

incomes at or below 130 per-

cent of the poverty level are

eligible for free meals. Those

between 130 percent and

185 percent of the poverty

level are eligible for reduced-

price meals, for which stu-

dents can be charged no

more than 40 cents for lunch

and 30 cents for breakfast.

25.7%

30.8% 30.5%

15.0%

20.0%

25.0%

30.0%

35.0%

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

School Year

Percent of Virginia Beach Public School Students Receiving Free or Reduced Price Lunch

30.5% 32.8%

64.4%60.5%

42.0%

50.4%54.0%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

School Students Receiving Free or Reduced Price Lunch For 2011

As shown by the graph below, the City of Virginia Beach had the lowest Infant mortality rate in Hampton Roads for

2009.

Significance of the Indicator

Infant mortality rate is a measure of the number of infant deaths (deaths from birth to one year of age) for every

1,000 live births. The infant mortality rate is a good indicator of both the health of the mother and the newborn

and the care that they received. Risk factors for infant death include: low birth weight, preterm (less than 37

weeks gestation) birth, multiple births (twins, triplets, etc.), maternal age of less than 20 or greater than 39,

mother with less than a high school education, inadequate prenatal care, unmarried mother, and smoking.

Source

This data is provided by the Virginia De-

partment of Public Health, Division of

Health Statistics. This data is updated

annually.

Infant Mortality Rate

From 2000 to 2006, the infant mortality rate in Virginia Beach increased

73.3%, with the biggest jump occurring from 2005 to 2006. From 2006 to

2009, the rate declined 42.1% and 2009 was the lowest level during the ten

year period. This indicator is closely correlated with the data for low birth

weight babies, as babies with a low birth weight have a higher incidence of in-

Description

The infant mortality rate is

the number of children dy-

ing under a year of age per

1,000 live births.

6.0

7.8

5.5

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Calendar Year

Infant Mortality Rate For Virginia Beach

7.05.5 5.7

12.0

9.9

6.07.7

9.4

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

Comparison of Infant Mortality Rates For 2009

In 2010, the City of Virginia Beach had the third lowest percentage of renters whose housing expenses exceed 30%

of household income.

Significance of the Indicator

This indicator is a proxy measure for housing affordability. As rent increases in proportion to household income, the

amount that is available for other expenses such as gasoline, food, clothes, and entertainment decreases. Lack of

affordable rental housing can lead to crowding and household stress. Less affordable rental housing also restricts

the ability of renters to save for a down

payment on a home, limiting their ability

to eventually become homeowners.

Source

The Source for this data is the US Census

Bureau American Community Survey.

The survey was not conducted in 2001.

These data are updated annually.

Renters Whose Housing Expenses Exceed

30% of Household Income

The percentage of renters whose housing expenses exceed 30% of household

income has risen each year since 2002. In 2010, this rate increased signifi-

cantly with now over 50% of renters expending in excess of 30% of their in-

come on rent.

Description

This indicator measures

the percentage of renters

whose annual rent exceeds

30% of their household

income.

42.5%47.8%

53.5%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Calendar Year

Renters in Virginia Beach Whose Housing Expenses Exceed 30% of Household Income

50.4%

53.5% 53.9%

60.5%

54.9%

58.2%

52.6%51.3%

45.0%

49.0%

53.0%

57.0%

61.0%

65.0%

Comparison of Renters Whose Housing Expenses Exceed 30% of Household Income for 2010