Does New Mexico have the highest child poverty rate in the United States? The answer may vary depending on the measurement used.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data released in September, New Mexico shows a concerning three-year average for child poverty. However, the nonprofit organization New Mexico Voices for Children suggests there is room for optimism when considering another metric.

Emily Wildau, a research and policy analyst at Voices for Children, expressed concerns during a virtual news conference. “Far too many families are living in poverty, when we look at the [official poverty measure]. It’s really unacceptable. It has very real implications for child well-being that can’t be entirely resolved by benefit programs and tax credits alone,” she stated. Wildau emphasized that while the official poverty measure highlights these issues, it does not fully capture "the also very real impact of those programs that do lift many kids and families out of poverty."