LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Poverty is not merely a statistic; it is a daily reality for countless individuals in our community and beyond. In San Marcos, 27% of residents live below the poverty line. That is 19,000 of our neighbors. In Hays County, the poverty rate stands at 12%. Statewide, Texas reports a 14% poverty rate, exceeding the national average and ranking 11th among all states. Nationally, 11% of Americans—approximately 36.8 million people—were living in poverty in 2023. Globally, the World Bank estimates that 9.2% of the world’s population survives on less than $1.90 a day.
These numbers represent real people—families struggling to put food on the table, children without access to quality education, and individuals facing health challenges without adequate care. Research has consistently shown that poverty inflicts severe mental and physical harm. Chronic stress from financial instability can lead to depression, anxiety, and a host of physical ailments, including hypertension and heart disease.
