Columbia's War on Poverty: How are we doing in Columbia?
Here in Columbia, we have an awful lot to offer. We have the University of Missouri; a thriving arts and music scene; world class companies, such a...

Here in Columbia, we have an awful lot to offer. We have the University of Missouri; a thriving arts and music scene; world class companies, such as Veterans United and Shelter Insurance; and so many parks and green spaces. Sadly, we also have a significant poverty problem. According to Columbia/Boone County Public Health & Human Services, 23% of Columbia residents live below the poverty line. To provide a comparison, this more than doubles the national poverty rate of 11.6% (according to the Center for Poverty & Equality Research).