Report: Nashville ranks 9th highest in the country for students living in poverty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Music City is breaking national records, but not in a good way this time. According to a new report by Metro Social Services, the city ranks ninth in the country for students living in poverty in comparison to other districts. The three page report was presented to the 11 member Minority Caucus of the Metro Council on Monday.

The report found half of the city's workforce makes less than $35,000 a year and when companies move to town, a majority of those jobs go to those not from Nashville. The report also shows working class families are starting to leave Nashville. Moreover, at least seven people a day are relocating.

The report shows a number of areas where the city is struggling with poverty which is overwhelmingly impacting the Black community compared to others. That's a problem Councilwoman Jennifer Gamble says we need to get a hold of before it's too late.

“At this time where Nashville is experiencing so much growth and unique prosperity, we can’t ignore it. We can’t ignore anymore the disparities and the lack of equity. In order for Nashville to truly be the great it city that it’s projecting to be, we have to address this," said Gamble.

Gamble is one of 11 members of the Minority Caucus that received the report on Monday.

The caucus is discussing what the members plan to do to reverse the issues in the report, including meeting with the Mayor’s Office and drafting legislation to help Nashville’s poor community.

Take a look at the full report below: