U.S. Census data shows a persistent problem in Syracuse is not getting much better.

Newly revealed numbers show Syracuse leads the nation in child poverty rate.

The 45.6% poverty rate is representative of the period from 2019 through 2023. That's down less than a full percent from 2018 data.

Rochester and Buffalo are also in the top 10, but they have shown significantly more progress, down about 10% and 6% respectively.   

Syracuse leaders acknowledged this issue on Thursday, saying it's not something they want to see but they are committing the effort to try to build up the city's residents.

"What the city can do is generate jobs, encourage businesses into our community to hire our local residents. For those not in the local workforce prepare them to enter them into the workforce. The city is leaning in completely," Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens said.

Mayor Ben Walsh also gave an update on crime in the area, calling the trends a mixed bag.

He said violent crime is down just over 7% year over year, and while there are the same number of murders as this time last year with 22, all but one have been solved.

Vehicle thefts do remain an issue with a rise of 14% from last year and a more than 88% rise over the last five years.