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The Poorest City In Every US State
Making ends meet can be tough, especially if you reside in some of America’s poorest cities. From high unemployment and low wages to rising house prices, many Americans are living below the poverty line barely scraping enough money to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey to determine the poorest city in each state. They analyzed 621 U.S. cities, towns, municipalities, and Census-designated places with available data to formulate the results. Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming had no cities covered in the 2019 Census report, and so were excluded from the analysis. According to 24/7 Wall St., these are the poorest cities in every state based on household earnings.
Texas: Pharr
•Poverty Rate: 38.1% (state: 13.6%)
•Median Household Income: $36,342 (state: $64,034)
Located on the Mexican border (it connects by bridge to the Mexican city of Reynosa), Pharr, Texas has the highest poverty of all the cities on the list with a poverty rate of 38.1%. According to the data, 17.6% of high school graduates and 70.6 percent of non-high school graduates live in poverty. A staggering 45.5% of children living in Hidalgo County, where Pharr is located, are living below the poverty line.
Wisconsin: Racine
•Poverty Rate: 20.4% (state: 10.4%)
•Median Household Income: $43,748 (state: $64,168)
With nearly double the state’s poverty rate, Racine – a small city located 30 miles south of Milwaukee on the shore of Lake Michigan – does at least offer affordable housing with the average home price coming in at just over $124,000. However, with 15.7% of high school graduates and 32% of non-high school graduates living in poverty, many Racine residents are still forced to rent. The renting rate among poor residents stands at 78.5%.
Virginia: Roanoke
•Poverty Rate: 20.6% (state: 9.9%)
•Median Household Income: $45,838 (state: $76,456)
Although Virginia is a pretty wealthy state – the average median income is $10,000 more than the national median household income – not all cities in the state are wealthier. Roanoke’s poverty rate of 20.6% is a massive jump from Virginia’s average of just 9.9%. According to MoneyWise, Roanoke’s poverty stems from generational inequality, the lack of good job opportunities, and inadequate child care. Basically, many children born into poverty in Roanoke are likely to stay in poverty.
Maryland: Baltimore
•Poverty Rate: 20.2% (state: 9%)
•Median Household Income: $50,177 (state: $86,738)
Maryland may be the wealthiest city in the United States, but with a poverty rate of more than double the state average, Baltimore is a city struggling in comparison to the rest of the state. According to CNN, the city has seen decades of decline in the shipping and manufacturing industries, leading to a much higher unemployment rate than the national average.
Georgia: Albany
•Poverty Rate: 31% (state: 13.3%)
•Median Household Income: $31,397 (state: $61,980)
Albany has one of the highest poverty rates in the whole country, with one out of three residents living in poverty. According to WALB10 News, outsourcing of manufacturing jobs hasn’t helped along with the generational curse that keeps children born into poverty, poor. Many graduates end up leaving Albany altogether to seek jobs elsewhere.
Michigan: Flint
•Poverty Rate: 32.6% (state: 13%)
•Median Household Income: $32,236 (state: $59,584)
Flint, Michigan is one of the poorest cities in the whole of the United States, thanks in part to a lack of jobs. Flint used to be known as “Vehicle City” – and experienced a boom in the late 1800s as home to one of the biggest horse-drawn carriage manufacturers in the world. Flint later went on to be the birthplace of General Motors, but as GM facilities closed, so went the jobs. Now over half of all children residing in Flint live in poverty and the city has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation.
New Jersey: Camden
•Poverty Rate: 28.6% (state: 9.2%)
•Median Household Income: $33,120 (state: $85,751)
Camden, New Jersey is another city that suffered after manufacturing companies up and relocated elsewhere. Today, the city stands in stark contrast to the rest of the state with over 28 percent of its residents living in poverty. With only 9 percent of Camden residents earning a bachelor’s degree (in contrast to the state total of 41 percent), Camden’s median household income falls short of the New Jersey average by a whopping $50,000.
Illinois: Decatur
•Poverty Rate: 24.4% (state: 11.5%)
•Median Household Income: $41,440 (state: $69,187)
With a median home value of $87,800, Decatur residents may enjoy some of the lowest residential real estate prices in the country if they can afford to buy a home. With poverty rates sitting at 24.4%, Decatur is the poorest city in Illinois with residents bringing in a median household income of just $41,440, well below the state average of just under $70,000. According to the CenterSquare, residents of Decatur’s high-poverty neighborhoods are 50 percent less likely to be homeowners or have a college education compared to other neighborhoods.
South Carolina: Columbia
•Poverty Rate:• 22.5% (state: 13.8%)
•Median Household Income: $47,386 (state: $56,227)
Home to the University of South Carolina, it’s no surprise that 45.9 percent of Columbia residents have a Bachelor’s degree (compared to the national average of 33.1 percent). Unfortunately for Columbia, the large student body residing in the city skews the median household level downwards, making its poverty rating of 22.5 percent the lowest in the state.
Colorado: Pueblo
•Poverty Rate: 22.9% (state: 9.3%)
•Median Household Income: $43,148 (state: $77,127)
The steel industry used to provide employment and was a major component of its economy, but when the companies closed up, Pueblo, Colorado was forced into poverty and high crime rates. With just under 23 percent of its residents living in poverty, Pueblo is the only city in Colorado with a median income rate below $60,000. Pueblo residents are also less likely to pursue higher education, with only 20.2% of residents obtaining a bachelor’s degree compared to the Colorado average of 42.7%.
Pennsylvania: Erie
•Poverty Rate: 28.5% (state: 12%)
•Median Household Income: $35,798 (state: 63,463)
Thanks to not only blue-collar jobs but also white-collar employment leaving the city, Erie’s poverty rate is more than double the state average. Located on the southern shore of Lake Erie, the city is sometimes referred to by its residents as “Dreary Erie” and with good reason. The city used to be the hub of industrial jobs, but as manufacturing and the steel industry began to decline, so did Erie. Today, the typical household in Erie earns nearly $28,000 less than the state median household income.
Tennessee: Knoxville
•Poverty Rate: 21.8% (state: 13.9%)
•Median Household Income: $41,388 (state: $56,071)
Once home to textile and manufacturing industries, Knoxville residents faced a lack of jobs once those businesses relocated elsewhere in the 1960s. Sadly, generational poverty has deemed Knoxville the poorest city in Tennessee, with 21.8 percent of residents living in poverty, despite the city having a higher number of bachelor degree holders than the state average. Sadly, there is a vast disparity of wealth in Knoxville. Approximately 11.1 percent of Knoxville households earn under $10,000 annually.
Ohio: Youngstown
•Poverty Rate: 37.9% (state: 13.1%)
•Median Household Income: $29,143 (state: $58,642)
With a poverty rate of 37.9 percent, Youngstown isn’t just the poorest city in Ohio, it’s the poorest city in the nation according to 24/7WallSt. Like many impoverished cities in America, Youngstown’s decline was due to layoffs from the steel and metalworking industries leaving unemployment rife. The Rust Belt city is home to abject child poverty, with over 50 percent of Youngstown children living below the poverty line.
Massachusetts: Fall River
•Poverty Rate: 24.5% (state: 9.4%)
•Median Household Income: $41,346 (state: $85,843)
While Massachusetts may be home to the most residents holding bachelor’s degrees (45%), fewer than 16 percent of Fall River residents have a degree. With a median household income of less than half the state average, Fall River residents face higher unemployment compared to the rest of Massachusetts and the increased crime that often accompanies extreme poverty. According to recent data from the FBI, Fall River is one of the state’s most dangerous cities when it comes to violent crime.
New York: Rochester
•Poverty Rate: 25.3% (state: 13%)
•Median Household Income: $37,711 (state: $72,108)
Once the home of Kodak, the company at one point employed thousands of residents before finally filing for bankruptcy in 2012. Now, Rochester residents have a hard time finding employment even if they hold a degree. With a median household income of just under $38,000, Rochester has nearly double the statewide poverty rate.
Florida: Gainesville
•Poverty Rate: 26.1% (state: 12.7%)
•Median Household Income: $39,201 ($59,227)
Thanks to its large student population, courtesy of the University of Florida, Gainesville is the poorest city in Florida with a poverty rate of 26.1 percent – more than double the state average of 12.7 percent. Unfortunately, for Gainesville residents, house prices are still high compared to what residents can afford and with 46.1 percent of Gainesville folk holding at least a bachelor’s degree, competition for jobs is fierce.
North Carolina: Fayetteville
•Poverty Rate: 19.3% (state: 13.6%)
•Median Household Income: $43,789 (state: 57,341)
According to CrimeGrade.org, Fayetteville is one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. and is in the 15th percentile for safety. Home to Fort Bragg, Fayetteville residents generally face high unemployment, resulting in a poverty rate of just under 20 percent and many residents end up leaving the city altogether in search of better-paying jobs.
California: Hemet
•Poverty Rate: 19,1% (state: 11.8%)
•Median Household Income: $39,653 (state: $80,440)
With a median household income of less than half the state average, Hemet – located 75 miles east of Los Angeles – is the poorest city in California. Hit hard by the recession of 2008, Hemet residents are still struggling to get back on their feet. According to The Atlantic, the city has transitioned to a low-income community with just 54 percent of properties being owner-occupied.
Washington: Yakima
•Poverty Rate: 20.3% (state: 9.8%)
•Median Household Income: $44,292 (state: $78,687)
One out of every 4.9 residents in Yakima, Washington lives in poverty, dramatically higher compared to the rest of Washington. High unemployment is rife in Yakima and the city has a bad reputation for crime, with some locals referring to it as “Crackima.”
Minnesota: St. Cloud
•Poverty Rate: 18.2% (state: 9%)
•Median Household Income: $53,829 (state: $74,593)
With a poverty rate of more than double the state average, the median household income of St. Cloud residents is $20,000 less than the state average of $74,593. Fortunately for Minnesota St. Cloud residents, house prices are some of the most affordable in the state with the average home priced at $169,500.
Hawaii: Honolulu (Urban)
•Poverty Rate: 9.4% (state: 9.3%)
•Median Household Income: $72,943 (state: $83,102)
As the only major city in Hawaii, Honolulu is ranked as the poorest by default only. While the median household income is $10,000 less than the state average, the poverty rate of 9.4 percent is in line with the state average of 9.3 percent. However, Honolulu has some of the highest house prices in Hawaii, so Honolulu residents can expect a large chunk of their income to be eaten up by housing costs.
Kansas: Kansas City
•Poverty Rate: 22.2% (state: 11.4%)
•Median Household Income: $45,391 (source: $62,087)
Thanks to a weak job market, Kansas City ranks as the poorest city in Kansas with a poverty rate nearly double that of the state average. According to the Kansas City Star, the minimum wage in Kansas City is still stuck at $7.25 per hour. One adult with no children would need to make $14.25 per hour to earn a living wage in the county Kansas City is located in.
Mississippi: Gulfport
•Poverty Rate: 30.7% (state: 19.6%)
•Median Household Income: $36,013 (state: $45,792)
Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the nation with 19.6 percent of its residents living below the poverty line. Sadly for Gulfport, it ranks as the poorest city in Mississippi with a poverty rate of over 30 percent. According to Feeding America, poverty in Gulfport extends to even the youngest members of the population, with one in four children in the city struggling with hunger.
Indiana: Gary
•Poverty Rate: 30% (state: 11.9%)
•Median Household Income: $31,341 (state: $57,603)
With a poverty rate of 30 percent and a median household income of just over $31,000, Gary is not just the poorest city in Indiana, it’s one of the poorest cities in America. Unfortunately, like many industry hubs across the nation, Gary fell victim to high unemployment when factories either went bust or relocated overseas. Home prices in Gary reflect the high unemployment rates. The median home value of a Gary home is $63,800 – well below the state average of $156,000.
Alabama: Birmingham
•Poverty Rate: 25.2% (state: 15.5%)
•Median Household Income: $36,753 (state: $51,734)
At one time this southern city was known as the “Magic City” thanks to its burgeoning iron and steel industries, however today more than a quarter of all residents live below the poverty line. With a median household income of $36,753, Birmingham has the lowest household income of any major city in Alabama coming in at nearly $15,000 less than the state’s median.
Nevada: Sunrise Manor
•Poverty Rate: 20.6% (state: 12.5%)
•Median Household Income: $44,422 (state: $63,276)
Despite its delightful name, the sun doesn’t shine on Sunrise Manor when it comes to getting people out of poverty. Approximately a fifth of all residents live below the poverty line and only 10 percent of Sunrise Manor adults hold a bachelor’s degree. Unfortunately, according to 8NewsNowLasVegas, Sunrise Manor is one of the areas hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic.
Delaware: Wilmington
•Poverty Rate: 29.8% (state: 11.3%)
•Median Household Income: $47,722 (state: $70,176)
Earning the dubious title of “Murder Town” Wilmington is a city fraught with gun violence, especially among teens and young adults. It also ranks as the poorest city in Delaware, but since it’s the only major city in the state it received that ranking by default. However, with a poverty rate of 29.8 percent compared to the state average of 11.3 percent, Wilmington is a city struggling with unemployment, poverty, and violence. According to 24/7WallSt, 16.3 percent of Wilmington households live on $10,000 per year or less.
Oregon: Eugene
•Poverty Rate: 17.3% (state: 11.4%)
•Median Household Income: $51,269 (state: $67,058)
As home to the University of Oregon, it’s likely the large student population residing in Eugene skewed the median household income downwards. However, with house prices trending high, Eugene is one of the least-affordable mid-sized cities in the country.
Nebraska: Lincoln
•Poverty Rate: 11.8% (state: 9.9%)
•Median Household Income: $59,228 (state: $63,229)
As another city on the list with a large student population, Lincoln earns the title of the poorest city in Nebraska, but it may be due in part to it being home to the University of Nebraska. With a poverty rate at just 2 percent lower than the state average, it’s likely the large student population has skewed the data.
Maine: Portland
•Poverty Rate: 12% (state: 10.9%)
•Median Household Income: $61,779 (state: $58,924)
As the only city in Maine, Portland earns the title as the poorest city by default only. In fact, Portland residents typically earn $3,000 more per year than the average Maine household and the city is home to a pretty well-educated bunch of people. Over 57 percent of adult residents have at least a bachelor’s degree.
Alaska: Anchorage
•Poverty Rate: 10.1% (state: 10.1%)
•Median Household Income: $82,716 (state: $75,463)
Yet another city earning the dubious title of the poorest city in the state by default only since Anchorage is the only city in Alaska the Census ACS has data for. In reality, Anchorage residents typically earn more than the median household average for other Alaska residents and its poverty rate of 10.1 percent is in line with the state average.
Louisiana: Lake Charles
•Poverty Rate: 26.7% (state: 19%)
•Median Household Income: $37,894 (state: $51,073)
As one of the poorest cities in one of the poorest states in America, Lake Charles has a poverty rate of 26.7 percent with most households earning less than $40,000 per year.
Missouri: Springfield
•Poverty Rate: 20.9% (state: 12.9%)
•Median Household Income: $35,677 (state: $57,409)
With one in five residents living in poverty, Springfield is Missouri’s poorest city with a median household income of just over $35,000. It’s also the 11th poorest city in America with a poverty rate of 21.9 percent.
Arizona: Tucson
•Poverty Rate: 19.1% (state: 13.5%)
•Median Household Income: $44,365 (state: $62,055)
As Arizona’s second-largest city, Tucson is, unfortunately, the poorest in the state with a median household income of just over $44,000. Although Tucson is home to the University of Arizona, only 27.3 percent of residents hold a bachelor’s degree compared to the state average of 30.2 percent.
Oklahoma: Lawton
•Poverty Rate: 20.4% (state: 15.2%)
•Median Household Income: $46,886 (state: $54,449)
Located in the southern portion of the state, the tiny city of Lawton is Oklahoma’s poorest city with a median household well below the state average of $54,449. Oklahoma, in general, has quite a high poverty rate of just over 15 percent and Lawton’s comes in at 20.4%. Sadly, one in five Lawton residents are living in poverty.
Rhode Island: Providence
•Poverty Rate: 22.6% (state: 10.8%)
•Median Household Income: $50,097 (state: $71,169)
Although the Brown University students may have skewed the data slightly, Providence, Rhode Island still struggles with high unemployment and a poverty rate that is more than double the state average. Despite earning over $20,000 less than other Rhode Island households, real estate prices in Providence aren’t that much cheaper than the state average home price of $283,000.
Iowa: Iowa City
•Poverty Rate: 25.9% (state: 11.2%)
•Median Household Income: $50,497 (state: $61,691)
Yet another college town whose large impoverished student population has helped skew the data. Home to the University of Iowa, Iowa City has a poverty rate of just under 30 percent, way higher than the state average of 11.2 percent. Once students graduate, they may have to bid farewell to Iowa City if they want to become homeowners. The median home value of an Iowa City home is $243,500, much higher than the state average of just $158,900.
South Dakota: Rapid City
•Poverty Rate: 13.7% (state: 11.9%)
•Median Household Income: $51,296 (state: $59,533)
Thanks to a weak job market, Rapid City residents can expect to earn around $8,000 less compared to other South Dakota residents, but they still have to pay more for a property. The average South Dakota home price is $185,000, yet Rapid City median home values come in at over $207,000.
Idaho: Nampa
•Poverty Rate: 7.8% (state: 11.2%)
•Median Household Income: $57,352 (state: $60,999)
There’s a large amount of wealth disparity in Nampa, Idaho and although it is home to a small percentage of extremely wealthy residents, the average Joe may be having trouble making ends meet. Nampa is only one of three Idaho cities where residents typically earn less than the state average of $60,999 – and although the city has quite low unemployment, residents are still earning less than the state median.
New Hampshire: Manchester
•Poverty Rate: 12.3% (state: 7.3%)
•Median Household Income: $64,162 (state: $77,933)
Homelessness and income equality mean Manchester is New Hampshire’s poorest city and sadly, residents have to deal with a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the state.
Montana: Missoula
•Poverty Rate: 13.8% (state: 12.6%)
•Median Household Income: $50,194 (state: $57,153)
According to 24/7WallSt, Missoula, Montana has 6 percent of households living on $10,000 or less per year, which explains its ranking as the poorest city in the state. Unfortunately for Missoula residents, getting a foot on the property ladder is hard in the city, which has experienced a rise in house prices thanks to out-of-state buyers who can work remotely. The median home price in Missoula is just over $317,000, compared to the state average of $253,600.
New Mexico: Las Cruces
•Poverty Rate: 22.2% (state: 18.2%)
•Median Household Income: $45,130 (state: $51,945)
With a state poverty rate of 18.2% many New Mexico residents are struggling to make ends meet and more so if they live in Las Cruces, which has a poverty rate of over 22 percent. However, things are starting to look up for Las Cruces residents, who have seen their incomes rise significantly over the past couple of years. Unfortunately, the state as a whole has been called one of the worst in the country for childhood poverty.
Kentucky: Bowling Green
•Poverty Rate: 23.3% (state: 16.3%)
•Median Household Income: $42,164 (state: $52,295)
Despite its high population of bachelor’s degree holders, Bowling Green ranks as the poorest city in Kentucky with a poverty rate of 23.3 percent, much higher than the already-high state average of 16.3 percent. Even though they earn $10,000 less per year, Bowling Green households are expected to pay higher home prices. The median home price for a Bowling Green property is approximately $30,000 higher than the state average.
Arkansas: North Little Rock
•Poverty Rate: 18.8% (state: 16.2%)
•Median Household Income: $40,870 (state: $48,952)
As one of the poorest states in America, Arkansas has a poverty rate of 16.2 percent, and North Little Rock, Arkansas has a median household income of $8,000 less than the state average. North Little Rock residents have a poverty rate of 18.8 percent and experience lower wages even though the home values are slightly higher than the state average.
Connecticut: Hartford
•Poverty Rate: 27.1% (state: 10%)
•Median Household Income: $36,762 (state: $78,833)
Hartford is not only the poorest city in Connecticut, it’s also one of the poorest in the country with a median household income of just $36,762. More than a quarter of Hartford residents live below the property line and despite Connecticut being one of the most educated states in America, less than 15 percent of Hartford residents hold a bachelor’s degree.
North Dakota: Fargo
•Poverty Rate: 16.1% (state: 10.6%)
•Median Household Income: $52,810 (state: $64,577)
Despite its relatively low unemployment numbers, Fargo – with its 16.1 percent poverty rate – is the poorest city in North Dakota. With a median household income well below the state average of $64,577, Fargo’s poverty rate is higher than the rest of the state as a whole.
Utah: Provo
•Poverty Rate: 24.7% (state: 8.9%)
•Median Household Income: $53,864 (state: $75,780)
Home to Brigham Young University, the high poverty rate of 24.7 percent, compared to the Utah state average of 8.9 percent may be due to all the students residing in Provo. Located approximately 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City, Provo has been called one of the happiest cities in America, but Provo residents are more likely to be living in poverty compared to the rest of Utah.
