More than 60 years have passed since President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty, and yet, poverty remains endemic in the United States. In any given year over the last three decades, anywhere from 31.6 million to 48.8 million Americans were living below the poverty line. Over that period, the annual U.S. poverty rate climbed as high as 15.9%, and never fell below 11.3%.

The effects of poverty extend far beyond economics. According to the latest Pulse Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 38% of American adults earning less than $25,000 reported feeling depressed or hopeless on most days, compared to 17% of all adults. Additionally, 27% of adults in the lowest income bracket reported not having enough to eat within the last week, three times the food insufficiency rate among all adults.

In most of the country, including Michigan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sets the poverty line at an annual income of $15,060 for individuals and $31,200 for a family of four. In Michigan, 13.1% of the population live below these thresholds — and in many towns across the state, the poverty rate is far higher.

Using five-year estimates from the Census’ 2022 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the towns in Michigan with the highest poverty rates. We considered all places — including cities, towns, and unincorporated communities — with populations between 5,000 and 50,000. Because the presence of colleges and universities can distort economic realities in a given area, places where 20% or more of the population are enrolled in a post-secondary institution were excluded from analysis.

Among the 35 places on this list, poverty rates range from 18.8% to 44.2%, and in each of these places, the typical household earns less than the statewide median household income of $68,505.

Widespread financial hardship in these areas is partially attributable to a lack of economic opportunity. In most places on this list, the five-year average unemployment rate is higher than the comparable 6.0% jobless rate across Michigan.

Incomes and job security tend to rise with educational attainment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical worker with a bachelor’s degree earns 66% more than those with no more than a high school diploma. Additionally, workers with only a high school education are far more likely to be unemployed than college graduates. In every town on this list, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is below the 31.1% statewide bachelor’s degree attainment rate.

Why It Matters

The United States is, in many ways, the center of gravity of the global economy. The U.S. dollar has been the world’s leading reserve currency since the end of World War II, and American gross domestic product accounts for over a quarter of economic activity worldwide. Despite these advantages, more than one in every 10 Americans have been living below the poverty line for decades. For those facing serious financial hardship, the effects are far reaching. Poverty can negatively impact mental health, social relationships, and life expectancy.

35. Sturgis

• Poverty rate: 18.8%
• Median household income: $56,337
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.9%
• Population: 11,050

34. Escanaba

• Poverty rate: 19.0%
• Median household income: $38,457
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.3%
• Population: 12,403

33. Cadillac

• Poverty rate: 19.7%
• Median household income: $45,123
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.6%
• Population: 10,400

32. Lincoln Park

• Poverty rate: 19.8%
• Median household income: $55,777
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.9%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.1%
• Population: 39,807

31. Harper Woods

• Poverty rate: 20.0%
• Median household income: $60,030
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 26.4%
• Population: 15,296

30. Ludington

• Poverty rate: 20.2%
• Median household income: $49,503
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 27.2%
• Population: 7,691

29. Sault Ste. Marie

• Poverty rate: 20.8%
• Median household income: $50,284
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 25.9%
• Population: 13,409

28. Alpena

• Poverty rate: 20.9%
• Median household income: $43,613
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.5%
• Population: 10,200

27. Hillsdale

• Poverty rate: 21.2%
• Median household income: $47,205
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 3.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.2%
• Population: 8,005

26. New Haven

• Poverty rate: 21.6%
• Median household income: $63,424
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.0%
• Population: 6,200

25. Coldwater

• Poverty rate: 21.7%
• Median household income: $48,531
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 3.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.2%
• Population: 13,704

24. Niles

• Poverty rate: 21.7%
• Median household income: $42,181
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.0%
• Population: 11,871

23. Alma

• Poverty rate: 21.8%
• Median household income: $44,375
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.7%
• Population: 9,436

22. Port Huron

• Poverty rate: 22.2%
• Median household income: $47,906
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.5%
• Population: 28,881

21. Bridgeport

• Poverty rate: 22.5%
• Median household income: $42,719
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.1%
• Population: 6,495

20. Muskegon

• Poverty rate: 22.9%
• Median household income: $40,900
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
• Population: 38,286

19. Adrian

• Poverty rate: 23.4%
• Median household income: $40,797
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.3%
• Population: 20,607

18. Lapeer

• Poverty rate: 24.0%
• Median household income: $50,510
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.3%
• Population: 9,034

17. Jackson

• Poverty rate: 24.0%
• Median household income: $41,988
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.3%
• Population: 31,420

16. Bay City

• Poverty rate: 24.8%
• Median household income: $45,026
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.3%
• Population: 32,664

15. Buena Vista

• Poverty rate: 25.0%
• Median household income: $39,373
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 13.9%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.3%
• Population: 6,013

14. Ecorse

• Poverty rate: 25.0%
• Median household income: $45,473
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.1%
• Population: 9,292

13. Houghton Lake

• Poverty rate: 26.1%
• Median household income: $44,432
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.3%
• Population: 5,601

12. Springfield

• Poverty rate: 26.2%
• Median household income: $40,091
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.6%
• Population: 5,268

11. Fair Plain

• Poverty rate: 26.5%
• Median household income: $50,170
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 20.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.6%
• Population: 6,882

10. Beecher

• Poverty rate: 32.5%
• Median household income: $35,618
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 22.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 4.5%
• Population: 9,085

9. Dowagiac

• Poverty rate: 32.8%
• Median household income: $41,864
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.1%
• Population: 5,680

8. Melvindale

• Poverty rate: 33.2%
• Median household income: $38,918
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.0%
• Population: 12,639

7. Saginaw

• Poverty rate: 34.5%
• Median household income: $35,521
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.8%
• Population: 44,316

6. Inkster

• Poverty rate: 35.1%
• Median household income: $38,381
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.1%
• Population: 25,839

5. Muskegon Heights

• Poverty rate: 36.5%
• Median household income: $35,216
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 20.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.9%
• Population: 9,954

4. Highland Park

• Poverty rate: 37.6%
• Median household income: $30,341
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 18.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.2%
• Population: 9,032

3. Hamtramck

• Poverty rate: 37.7%
• Median household income: $39,648
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.1%
• Population: 27,842

2. River Rouge

• Poverty rate: 43.8%
• Median household income: $26,343
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.9%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.1%
• Population: 7,200

1. Benton Harbor

• Poverty rate: 44.2%
• Median household income: $26,592
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 20.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.4%
• Population: 9,101

Rank	Place	Poverty rate (%)	Median household income ($)	Unemployment rate (%)	Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (%)	Total population
1	Benton Harbor, Michigan	44.2	26,592	20.2	8.4	9,101
2	River Rouge, Michigan	43.8	26,343	12.9	8.1	7,200
3	Hamtramck, Michigan	37.7	39,648	11.7	18.1	27,842
4	Highland Park, Michigan	37.6	30,341	18.2	16.2	9,032
5	Muskegon Heights, Michigan	36.5	35,216	20.5	8.9	9,954
6	Inkster, Michigan	35.1	38,381	11.7	12.1	25,839
7	Saginaw, Michigan	34.5	35,521	11.7	12.8	44,316
8	Melvindale, Michigan	33.2	38,918	11.2	13.0	12,639
9	Dowagiac, Michigan	32.8	41,864	11.1	15.1	5,680
10	Beecher, Michigan	32.5	35,618	22.4	4.5	9,085
11	Fair Plain, Michigan	26.5	50,170	20.5	22.6	6,882
12	Springfield, Michigan	26.2	40,091	11.3	5.6	5,268
13	Houghton Lake, Michigan	26.1	44,432	5.1	14.3	5,601
14	Ecorse, Michigan	25.0	45,473	9.5	7.1	9,292
15	Buena Vista, Michigan	25.0	39,373	13.9	7.3	6,013
16	Bay City, Michigan	24.8	45,026	6.2	16.3	32,664
17	Jackson, Michigan	24.0	41,988	10.8	15.3	31,420
18	Lapeer, Michigan	24.0	50,510	4.3	14.3	9,034
19	Adrian, Michigan	23.4	40,797	4.8	20.3	20,607
20	Muskegon, Michigan	22.9	40,900	10.4	14.4	38,286
21	Bridgeport, Michigan	22.5	42,719	5.3	11.1	6,495
22	Port Huron, Michigan	22.2	47,906	9.3	18.5	28,881
23	Alma, Michigan	21.8	44,375	7.1	24.7	9,436
24	Niles, Michigan	21.7	42,181	12.0	17.0	11,871
25	Coldwater, Michigan	21.7	48,531	3.8	12.2	13,704
26	New Haven, Michigan	21.6	63,424	7.6	22.0	6,200
27	Hillsdale, Michigan	21.2	47,205	3.6	23.2	8,005
28	Alpena, Michigan	20.9	43,613	8.8	13.5	10,200
29	Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan	20.8	50,284	7.4	25.9	13,409
30	Ludington, Michigan	20.2	49,503	4.1	27.2	7,691
31	Harper Woods, Michigan	20.0	60,030	7.6	26.4	15,296
32	Lincoln Park, Michigan	19.8	55,777	6.9	11.1	39,807
33	Cadillac, Michigan	19.7	45,123	7.0	18.6	10,400
34	Escanaba, Michigan	19.0	38,457	7.2	19.3	12,403
35	Sturgis, Michigan	18.8	56,337	6.5	14.9	11,050

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