As the U.S. economic recession continues, new U.S. census surveys show Evanston residents are facing significant increases in poverty.

According to data released by the Heartland Alliance’s Social IMPACT Research Center, the city’s 2010 poverty rate was 17.3 percent, a “statistically significant” increase from 2009’s 9.0 percent.

The data, which was originally compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, includes information on workers’ median income based on gender, residents with health insurance coverage, residents considered low-income workers and community members who can be considered living in extreme poverty.

Unlike the official U.S. Census survey, which is given to all residents, the ACS covers a random sampling of residents.

Besides the roughly 8 percent increase in the city’s poverty rate, the median household income declined from $68,778 to $60,424 in 2010. Unlike the poverty rate decrease, however, the drop in income was not categorized as a statistically significant change.

Although he admits the sudden increase in the poverty rate from 2009 to 2010 does merit concern, Evanston general planner Craig Sklenar said the survey may not be a total representation of the city and its future.

Sklenar said the five-year aggregate ACS survey that covers 2005 to 2009 resulted in a 9.7 percent poverty rate for Evanston. As a demographer, he said, he trusts the five-year aggregate more than the one-year surveys because they are more holistic.

“It’s concerning that we see that number jump dramatically in one year,” Sklenar said. “We need to continue to investigate what that really means.”

Both Sklenar and Dennis Marino, the city’s manager of planning and zoning, said Evanston’s economic situation is by no means unique.

“The rate of increase is surprising to some, but I think that can be substantially explained by the severe recession and job loss occurring not only here but throughout the country,” Marino said. “Evanston is not immune from this situation.”

One of the ways in which the city is experiencing the effects of the rising poverty rate is the rise in homelessness throughout the area.

Mary Ellen Poole, staff member for the city’s homeless task force, said she has been seeing increasing numbers in both individuals and families experiencing homelessness.

“It’s been on an increase for the last three to four years,” Poole said.

Poole said besides the increasing numbers in homelessness, the task force has witnessed more families doubling up, which involves families who have lost their homes living in the homes of other family members or friends. She added this especially affects children, whose educational experiences are compromised when they worry about the consistency of meals or shelter.

Kristi Sanford, the office manager of anti-hunger organization A Just Harvest, said she has also seen a 30 percent increase in the number of people who have regularly visited the organization’s soup kitchen since about 2009. Her organization’s soup kitchen caters to both Chicago and North Shore residents.

Marino said the city is pursuing multiple projects in order to recover its economy, such as helping with business formation, business retention and job capture for Evanston residents. They are also taking previously foreclosed houses and rehabilitating them to rent and sell to residents.

Evanston resident Andrea Colbert said she believes the poverty rate’s growth is partially due to increasing Evanston taxes.

“(Evanston city officials) don’t do anything,” Colbert said. “They’re after their dollars.”