DETERMINANTS OF POVERTY AMONG WORKERS IN METRO AND NONMETRO AREAS OF THE SOUTH

This analysis examines selected factors affecting work and poverty in metro and nonmetro areas of the South, including rates of labor force participation and the demographic, economic, industrial and occupation al characteristics of the working poor. The results indicate that bein g a female head of household is the most important factor in distingui shing poor and nonpoor working persons. The odds of workers in female- headed families being poor was nearly six times higher than for worker s in other family types. The number of earners in the family, race, an d industry structure are also significant in accounting for the variat ion in poverty status among employed persons. The implications of thes e findings for ameliorating the plight of the working poor are explore d.