Income

Towns in Ohio With the Worst Poverty

Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

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 Ohio, 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 Ohio, 13.3% 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 Ohio 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 20.7% to nearly 40%, and in each of these places, the typical household earns less than the statewide median household income of $66,990.

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 5.0% jobless rate across Ohio.

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 nearly every town on this list, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is below the 30.4% statewide bachelor’s degree attainment rate.

Why It Matters

Hands-on food of the hungry is the hope of poverty : concept of homelessness
addkm / Shutterstock.com

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. Warrensville Heights

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 20.7%
  • Median household income: $43,848
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.2%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.6%
  • Population: 13,659

34. Port Clinton

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 20.7%
  • Median household income: $55,534
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.2%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.0%
  • Population: 6,024

33. Fostoria

BrandonTownley / iStock via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 21.0%
  • Median household income: $53,145
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.8%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.2%
  • Population: 12,904

32. Wilmington

Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 21.1%
  • Median household income: $48,407
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.0%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.2%
  • Population: 12,669

31. New Carlisle

loganrickert / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 21.4%
  • Median household income: $56,744
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 17.1%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.4%
  • Population: 5,579

30. Maple Heights

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 21.6%
  • Median household income: $49,877
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.3%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.7%
  • Population: 23,473

29. Marion

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 21.8%
  • Median household income: $44,879
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.7%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.1%
  • Population: 35,927

28. Garfield Heights

  • Poverty rate: 22.0%
  • Median household income: $49,864
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.8%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.0%
  • Population: 29,497

27. Marietta

ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 22.0%
  • Median household income: $44,401
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.6%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 30.0%
  • Population: 13,366

26. Jackson

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 22.1%
  • Median household income: $51,864
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.8%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.5%
  • Population: 6,222

25. Wellston

Wendy Van / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 22.3%
  • Median household income: $51,597
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.6%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.0%
  • Population: 5,420

24. Uhrichsville

Roseohioresident / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 22.5%
  • Median household income: $42,155
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.2%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.5%
  • Population: 5,238

23. Alliance

Sanfranman59 / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 23.1%
  • Median household income: $51,721
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.0%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.0%
  • Population: 21,603

22. Hillsboro

BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 23.1%
  • Median household income: $44,731
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.0%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.8%
  • Population: 6,492

21. Lima

  • Poverty rate: 23.1%
  • Median household income: $41,824
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.6%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.7%
  • Population: 35,555

20. Circleville

Jacqueline Nix / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 23.2%
  • Median household income: $51,830
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.3%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.4%
  • Population: 14,017

19. Coshocton

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 23.2%
  • Median household income: $47,184
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.2%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.8%
  • Population: 11,054

18. Trotwood

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 23.8%
  • Median household income: $46,442
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.4%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.3%
  • Population: 23,125

17. Shiloh

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 23.8%
  • Median household income: $43,256
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.2%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 25.9%
  • Population: 10,539

16. North College Hill

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 24.2%
  • Median household income: $51,971
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.8%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.0%
  • Population: 9,602

15. Ironton

larrybraunphotography.com / Moment via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 24.6%
  • Median household income: $43,702
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.4%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.0%
  • Population: 10,597

14. Mansfield

  • Poverty rate: 25.0%
  • Median household income: $40,996
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.8%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.9%
  • Population: 47,630

13. Zanesville

weaver1234 / iStock via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 25.2%
  • Median household income: $40,927
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.5%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.0%
  • Population: 24,772

12. Moraine

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 25.5%
  • Median household income: $40,793
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.4%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.5%
  • Population: 6,484

11. New Burlington

Rcsprinter123 / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 25.6%
  • Median household income: $58,092
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.0%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 27.0%
  • Population: 5,321

10. Logan

140641142@N05 / Flickr / Public Domain
  • Poverty rate: 25.7%
  • Median household income: $46,762
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 3.0%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.3%
  • Population: 7,168

9. Steubenville

  • Poverty rate: 27.9%
  • Median household income: $42,725
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.6%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 28.4%
  • Population: 18,175

8. Campbell

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 28.7%
  • Median household income: $43,176
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 13.5%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.2%
  • Population: 7,819

7. Cambridge

Henryk Sadura / Tetra images via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 30.2%
  • Median household income: $39,589
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.5%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.4%
  • Population: 10,087

6. East Liverpool

Spencer Platt / Getty Images News via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 31.6%
  • Median household income: $34,560
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.1%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.1%
  • Population: 9,969

5. Martins Ferry

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 32.4%
  • Median household income: $39,195
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 20.8%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.7%
  • Population: 6,283

4. Ashtabula

benkrut / iStock via Getty Images
  • Poverty rate: 32.7%
  • Median household income: $39,053
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 13.6%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.6%
  • Population: 18,003

3. Warren

Jack Pearce from Boardman, OH, USA / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 35.0%
  • Median household income: $33,296
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.6%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.2%
  • Population: 39,204

2. Portsmouth

  • Poverty rate: 35.4%
  • Median household income: $36,051
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.5%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.7%
  • Population: 18,130

1. East Cleveland

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Poverty rate: 39.5%
  • Median household income: $23,004
  • 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 19.3%
  • Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.9%
  • Population: 13,926
Rank Place Poverty rate (%) Median household income ($) Unemployment rate (%) Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (%) Total population
1 East Cleveland, Ohio 39.5 23,004 19.3 14.9 13,926
2 Portsmouth, Ohio 35.4 36,051 11.5 16.7 18,130
3 Warren, Ohio 35.0 33,296 8.6 15.2 39,204
4 Ashtabula, Ohio 32.7 39,053 13.6 11.6 18,003
5 Martins Ferry, Ohio 32.4 39,195 20.8 10.7 6,283
6 East Liverpool, Ohio 31.6 34,560 6.1 8.1 9,969
7 Cambridge, Ohio 30.2 39,589 2.5 13.4 10,087
8 Campbell, Ohio 28.7 43,176 13.5 17.2 7,819
9 Steubenville, Ohio 27.9 42,725 7.6 28.4 18,175
10 Logan, Ohio 25.7 46,762 3.0 13.3 7,168
11 New Burlington, Ohio 25.6 58,092 2.0 27.0 5,321
12 Moraine, Ohio 25.5 40,793 4.4 14.5 6,484
13 Zanesville, Ohio 25.2 40,927 8.5 13.0 24,772
14 Mansfield, Ohio 25.0 40,996 7.8 15.9 47,630
15 Ironton, Ohio 24.6 43,702 6.4 20.0 10,597
16 North College Hill, Ohio 24.2 51,971 8.8 17.0 9,602
17 Shiloh, Ohio 23.8 43,256 8.2 25.9 10,539
18 Trotwood, Ohio 23.8 46,442 8.4 18.3 23,125
19 Coshocton, Ohio 23.2 47,184 9.2 19.8 11,054
20 Circleville, Ohio 23.2 51,830 9.3 19.4 14,017
21 Lima, Ohio 23.1 41,824 8.6 10.7 35,555
22 Hillsboro, Ohio 23.1 44,731 5.0 16.8 6,492
23 Alliance, Ohio 23.1 51,721 4.0 18.0 21,603
24 Uhrichsville, Ohio 22.5 42,155 10.2 10.5 5,238
25 Wellston, Ohio 22.3 51,597 5.6 7.0 5,420
26 Jackson, Ohio 22.1 51,864 4.8 16.5 6,222
27 Marietta, Ohio 22.0 44,401 5.6 30.0 13,366
28 Garfield Heights, Ohio 22.0 49,864 9.8 15.0 29,497
29 Marion, Ohio 21.8 44,879 8.7 10.1 35,927
30 Maple Heights, Ohio 21.6 49,877 8.3 15.7 23,473
31 New Carlisle, Ohio 21.4 56,744 17.1 13.4 5,579
32 Wilmington, Ohio 21.1 48,407 5.0 22.2 12,669
33 Fostoria, Ohio 21.0 53,145 5.8 11.2 12,904
34 Port Clinton, Ohio 20.7 55,534 5.2 18.0 6,024
35 Warrensville Heights, Ohio 20.7 43,848 10.2 19.6 13,659

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