Understanding the Poorest Cities in the US: A Comprehensive Economic Analysis

When we examine the poorest cities in the US, we’re looking beyond simple statistics—we’re understanding communities facing real economic challenges. While media often highlights affluent neighborhoods and their thriving amenities, far fewer stories explore the cities where residents contend with lower incomes, higher unemployment, and greater poverty rates. Every state has at least one city where economic hardship is more pronounced than in neighboring communities.

The Reality of Economic Disparity in American Communities

The poorest cities in the US tell an important story about wealth inequality and regional economic differences. These communities aren’t necessarily small towns; many are substantial population centers where economic indicators reveal significant financial stress. By examining three critical metrics—median household income, percentage of population below the poverty line, and per capita income—we can identify which cities face the greatest economic challenges.

Understanding these patterns matters because it reveals where support systems may be needed most and where policy interventions might help strengthen struggling economies. The data, compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, provides the most comprehensive picture of urban economic conditions available.

Key Economic Indicators That Define Struggling Cities

When measuring economic hardship in urban areas, three primary indicators emerge as the most telling. Median household income shows what the typical family earns annually in a city. Per capita income reflects average earnings per individual, providing insight into how broadly prosperity is distributed. Poverty rates measure the percentage of residents living below the federal poverty threshold—a critical indicator of economic stress.

These metrics paint a fuller picture than any single number could provide. A city with lower median household income, higher poverty percentage, and reduced per capita income faces genuine economic challenges that affect residents’ quality of life, access to services, and future opportunities.

Regional Economic Patterns Across the States

Looking at the poorest cities in the US reveals several regional trends. The South, particularly states like Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Arkansas, shows concentration of economically challenged communities. These regions often face compounded economic pressures from historical factors, industrial shifts, and demographic patterns.

Midwest cities also feature prominently in lists of economically stressed communities, with cities in Ohio, Indiana, and other industrial states showing significant median income below national averages. Western cities present a more mixed picture, with some high-performing regions alongside pockets of poverty.

State-by-State Examination of Economically Challenged Communities

The South: Economic Challenges in Traditional Population Centers

Greenville, Mississippi stands out with one of the nation’s lowest median household incomes at $35,148 and a poverty rate of 32.20%, the highest among all examined cities. Pine Bluff, Arkansas follows a similar pattern with median household income of $39,411 and 24.88% below poverty level. Birmingham, Alabama shows median income of $42,464 with 26.09% poverty rate.

These communities represent long-standing economic struggles that require sustained attention and investment. The combination of lower household incomes and higher poverty percentages indicates systemic economic challenges.

The Midwest: Industrial Shifts and Income Decline

Canton, Ohio exemplifies Midwest economic challenges, with median household income of just $37,627 and 30.24% poverty rate—among the lowest income levels in the country. Springfield, Missouri shows median income of $43,450 with 20.32% in poverty. Reading, Pennsylvania reports $42,852 median household income and 28.61% poverty rate.

These regions often experienced economic transition as manufacturing declined, leaving communities to adapt their economic bases.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Communities

Central Falls, Rhode Island presents a smaller community with $43,092 median household income and 24.43% poverty rate. Lynn, Massachusetts shows $70,046 median income with 14.08% below poverty level. Elizabeth, New Jersey reports $59,939 median household income and 15.35% poverty rate.

Western Communities Facing Economic Pressure

El Paso, Texas, the largest city on this list with 677,181 residents, shows median household income of $55,710 with 18.94% poverty rate. Sunrise Manor, Nevada has median income of $52,476 with 21.82% in poverty. South Valley, New Mexico reports $44,670 median income and 21.01% below poverty threshold.

Full State-by-State Data: The Poorest Cities in the US

Alabama: Birmingham - Population: 200,431 | Median Household Income: $42,464 | Poverty Rate: 26.09% | Per Capita Income: $29,289

Alaska: Fairbanks - Population: 32,496 | Median Household Income: $69,914 | Poverty Rate: 9.67% | Per Capita Income: $34,820

Arizona: Surprise - Population: 145,591 | Median Household Income: $87,756 | Poverty Rate: 6.79% | Per Capita Income: $37,518

Arkansas: Pine Bluff - Population: 41,172 | Median Household Income: $39,411 | Poverty Rate: 24.88% | Per Capita Income: $21,170

California: Anaheim - Population: 347,111 | Median Household Income: $88,538 | Poverty Rate: 12.62% | Per Capita Income: $35,331

Colorado: Pueblo - Population: 111,430 | Median Household Income: $52,794 | Poverty Rate: 20.60% | Per Capita Income: $28,968

Connecticut: New Britain - Population: 74,212 | Median Household Income: $53,766 | Poverty Rate: 19.70% | Per Capita Income: $28,796

Delaware: Smyrna - Population: 12,870 | Median Household Income: $68,260 | Poverty Rate: 9.99% | Per Capita Income: $31,340

Florida: Hialeah - Population: 222,996 | Median Household Income: $49,531 | Poverty Rate: 17.81% | Per Capita Income: $24,295

Georgia: South Fulton - Population: 107,865 | Median Household Income: $77,488 | Poverty Rate: 9.37% | Per Capita Income: $36,153

Hawaii: Kahului - Population: 27,233 | Median Household Income: $94,712 | Poverty Rate: 8.72% | Per Capita Income: $34,885

Idaho: Caldwell - Population: 61,212 | Median Household Income: $65,259 | Poverty Rate: 12.63% | Per Capita Income: $24,112

Illinois: Waukegan - Population: 89,435 | Median Household Income: $66,077 | Poverty Rate: 15.00% | Per Capita Income: $30,089

Indiana: Lafayette - Population: 70,828 | Median Household Income: $50,674 | Poverty Rate: 16.47% | Per Capita Income: $29,523

Iowa: Council Bluffs - Population: 62,670 | Median Household Income: $61,181 | Poverty Rate: 13.59% | Per Capita Income: $31,946

Kansas: Salina - Population: 46,734 | Median Household Income: $56,945 | Poverty Rate: 12.67% | Per Capita Income: $31,477

Kentucky: Richmond - Population: 34,883 | Median Household Income: $45,457 | Poverty Rate: 22.23% | Per Capita Income: $26,787

Louisiana: Bossier City - Population: 62,971 | Median Household Income: $54,100 | Poverty Rate: 20.36% | Per Capita Income: $30,737

Maine: Lewiston - Population: 37,577 | Median Household Income: $54,317 | Poverty Rate: 17.83% | Per Capita Income: $29,223

Maryland: Glen Burnie - Population: 71,427 | Median Household Income: $86,283 | Poverty Rate: 8.16% | Per Capita Income: $41,570

Massachusetts: Lynn - Population: 100,653 | Median Household Income: $70,046 | Poverty Rate: 14.08% | Per Capita Income: $31,816

Michigan: Warren - Population: 138,588 | Median Household Income: $61,633 | Poverty Rate: 13.52% | Per Capita Income: $31,080

Minnesota: Brooklyn Park - Population: 84,951 | Median Household Income: $82,271 | Poverty Rate: 8.88% | Per Capita Income: $36,531

Mississippi: Greenville - Population: 29,495 | Median Household Income: $35,148 | Poverty Rate: 32.20% | Per Capita Income: $22,111

Missouri: Springfield - Population: 168,873 | Median Household Income: $43,450 | Poverty Rate: 20.32% | Per Capita Income: $28,806

Montana: Kalispell - Population: 25,473 | Median Household Income: $57,123 | Poverty Rate: 10.37% | Per Capita Income: $32,570

Nebraska: Fremont - Population: 27,230 | Median Household Income: $62,226 | Poverty Rate: 9.52% | Per Capita Income: $31,944

Nevada: Sunrise Manor - Population: 198,325 | Median Household Income: $52,476 | Poverty Rate: 21.82% | Per Capita Income: $22,600

New Hampshire: Laconia - Population: 16,898 | Median Household Income: $67,856 | Poverty Rate: 10.20% | Per Capita Income: $39,171

New Jersey: Elizabeth - Population: 135,665 | Median Household Income: $59,939 | Poverty Rate: 15.35% | Per Capita Income: $26,633

New Mexico: South Valley - Population: 37,601 | Median Household Income: $44,670 | Poverty Rate: 21.01% | Per Capita Income: $24,047

New York: Cheektowaga - Population: 76,483 | Median Household Income: $64,066 | Poverty Rate: 8.80% | Per Capita Income: $34,897

North Carolina: Concord - Population: 105,335 | Median Household Income: $83,480 | Poverty Rate: 7.52% | Per Capita Income: $39,148

North Dakota: Jamestown - Population: 15,850 | Median Household Income: $53,389 | Poverty Rate: 14.89% | Per Capita Income: $34,078

Ohio: Canton - Population: 70,589 | Median Household Income: $37,627 | Poverty Rate: 30.24% | Per Capita Income: $22,649

Oklahoma: Lawton - Population: 91,023 | Median Household Income: $51,561 | Poverty Rate: 19.40% | Per Capita Income: $27,221

Oregon: Springfield - Population: 61,740 | Median Household Income: $60,982 | Poverty Rate: 16.41% | Per Capita Income: $29,284

Pennsylvania: Reading - Population: 94,601 | Median Household Income: $42,852 | Poverty Rate: 28.61% | Per Capita Income: $20,782

Rhode Island: Central Falls - Population: 22,359 | Median Household Income: $43,092 | Poverty Rate: 24.43% | Per Capita Income: $19,552

South Carolina: Sumter - Population: 43,046 | Median Household Income: $48,900 | Poverty Rate: 17.50% | Per Capita Income: $27,742

South Dakota: Huron - Population: 14,179 | Median Household Income: $57,702 | Poverty Rate: 11.08% | Per Capita Income: $29,576

Tennessee: Clarksville - Population: 167,882 | Median Household Income: $62,688 | Poverty Rate: 12.88% | Per Capita Income: $29,481

Texas: El Paso - Population: 677,181 | Median Household Income: $55,710 | Poverty Rate: 18.94% | Per Capita Income: $27,434

Utah: Ogden - Population: 86,754 | Median Household Income: $66,226 | Poverty Rate: 12.12% | Per Capita Income: $31,437

Vermont: Bennington - Population: 8,753 | Median Household Income: $51,221 | Poverty Rate: 14.96% | Per Capita Income: $33,141

Virginia: Roanoke - Population: 99,213 | Median Household Income: $51,523 | Poverty Rate: 19.11% | Per Capita Income: $33,206

Washington: Vancouver - Population: 190,700 | Median Household Income: $73,626 | Poverty Rate: 12.33% | Per Capita Income: $40,219

West Virginia: Wheeling - Population: 26,900 | Median Household Income: $46,516 | Poverty Rate: 18.25% | Per Capita Income: $33,868

Wisconsin: Janesville - Population: 65,669 | Median Household Income: $68,610 | Poverty Rate: 9.87% | Per Capita Income: $35,135

Wyoming: Riverton - Population: 10,733 | Median Household Income: $50,861 | Poverty Rate: 14.48% | Per Capita Income: $25,653

What These Numbers Tell Us

The poorest cities in the US reveal stark economic contrasts within individual states. Mississippi’s Greenville with 32.20% poverty rate and Canton, Ohio with 30.24% represent some of the nation’s most economically stressed communities. In contrast, cities like Kahului, Hawaii (8.72% poverty) and Concord, North Carolina (7.52% poverty) show more robust economic conditions, even when designated as their state’s economically challenged city.

The variation demonstrates that “poorest” is relative—a city that ranks lowest in one state may have stronger fundamentals than cities in other states. Economic context matters tremendously when interpreting these figures.

Methodology and Data Reliability

This analysis examined the ten largest cities in each state using U.S. Census Bureau data, ranking each by the combination of median household income, per capita income, and poverty rates. All information reflects the most recent available census data from 2024, providing current insight into where American cities face the greatest economic pressures.

Understanding the poorest cities in the US helps policymakers, researchers, and residents grasp where targeted economic development efforts might yield meaningful results.