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 Virginia, 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 Virginia, 10.0% 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 Virginia 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 13.8% to 27.3%, and in all but two of these places, the typical household earns less than the statewide median household income of $87,249.

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 4.3% jobless rate across Virginia.

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 the vast majority of towns on this list, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is below the 41.0% 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. Collinsville

• Poverty rate: 13.8%
• Median household income: $45,914
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 26.5%
• Population: 7,640

34. Hutchison

• Poverty rate: 14.4%
• Median household income: $99,647
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 42.6%
• Population: 6,947

33. Front Royal

• Poverty rate: 15.5%
• Median household income: $62,735
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.4%
• Population: 15,064

32. Abingdon

• Poverty rate: 15.7%
• Median household income: $56,164
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 37.3%
• Population: 8,346

31. Waynesboro

• Poverty rate: 16.1%
• Median household income: $52,519
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 27.2%
• Population: 22,341

30. Dumbarton

• Poverty rate: 16.4%
• Median household income: $59,005
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 28.4%
• Population: 8,271

29. Big Stone Gap

• Poverty rate: 16.4%
• Median household income: $52,663
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.7%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.4%
• Population: 5,221

28. Winchester

• Poverty rate: 16.8%
• Median household income: $62,495
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 32.3%
• Population: 28,103

27. Covington

• Poverty rate: 16.9%
• Median household income: $45,737
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.4%
• Population: 5,722

26. Bristol

• Poverty rate: 17.0%
• Median household income: $45,250
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.8%
• Population: 17,036

25. Emporia

• Poverty rate: 17.3%
• Median household income: $41,442
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.5%
• Population: 5,680

24. Hybla Valley

• Poverty rate: 17.5%
• Median household income: $65,843
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 35.0%
• Population: 18,104

23. Bluefield

• Poverty rate: 18.0%
• Median household income: $53,162
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 29.0%
• Population: 5,059

22. Fredericksburg

• Poverty rate: 18.0%
• Median household income: $83,445
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 43.5%
• Population: 28,258

21. Dulles Town Center

• Poverty rate: 18.1%
• Median household income: $114,034
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.0%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 51.8%
• Population: 5,884

20. Franklin

• Poverty rate: 18.7%
• Median household income: $57,537
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.2%
• Population: 8,194

19. Bellwood

• Poverty rate: 19.0%
• Median household income: $50,231
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.6%
• Population: 7,783

18. Highland Springs

• Poverty rate: 19.1%
• Median household income: $54,270
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.8%
• Population: 14,881

17. South Boston

• Poverty rate: 20.4%
• Median household income: $49,654
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.9%
• Population: 7,942

16. Marion

• Poverty rate: 20.7%
• Median household income: $37,337
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.8%
• Population: 5,722

15. Bailey’s Crossroads

• Poverty rate: 21.3%
• Median household income: $78,286
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 43.5%
• Population: 24,785

14. Hopewell

• Poverty rate: 21.3%
• Median household income: $50,661
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.6%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.1%
• Population: 23,046

13. Bensley

• Poverty rate: 21.9%
• Median household income: $44,026
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.3%
• Population: 6,032

12. Buena Vista

• Poverty rate: 21.9%
• Median household income: $48,783
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 1.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.5%
• Population: 6,639

11. Seven Corners

• Poverty rate: 22.0%
• Median household income: $63,625
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 37.3%
• Population: 9,141

10. Petersburg

• Poverty rate: 22.2%
• Median household income: $46,930
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.8%
• Population: 33,261

9. Galax

• Poverty rate: 22.4%
• Median household income: $44,612
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.5%
• Population: 6,687

8. Pulaski

• Poverty rate: 22.6%
• Median household income: $55,213
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.1%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.4%
• Population: 8,982

7. Woodstock

• Poverty rate: 23.5%
• Median household income: $64,470
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.2%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 25.6%
• Population: 5,798

6. Martinsville

• Poverty rate: 24.6%
• Median household income: $39,127
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.3%
• Population: 13,539

5. Montrose

• Poverty rate: 24.6%
• Median household income: $39,023
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.3%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.3%
• Population: 8,363

4. Richlands

• Poverty rate: 25.0%
• Median household income: $35,959
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.5%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.2%
• Population: 5,266

3. Danville

• Poverty rate: 25.3%
• Median household income: $41,484
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.8%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.7%
• Population: 42,507

2. Bedford

• Poverty rate: 26.7%
• Median household income: $41,154
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.5%
• Population: 6,676

1. Wytheville

• Poverty rate: 27.3%
• Median household income: $39,459
• 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.4%
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.5%
• Population: 8,228

Rank	Place	Poverty rate (%)	Median household income ($)	Unemployment rate (%)	Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (%)	Total population
1	Wytheville, Virginia	27.3	39,459	5.4	23.5	8,228
2	Bedford, Virginia	26.7	41,154	2.4	19.5	6,676
3	Danville, Virginia	25.3	41,484	5.8	18.7	42,507
4	Richlands, Virginia	25.0	35,959	8.5	15.2	5,266
5	Montrose, Virginia	24.6	39,023	4.3	16.3	8,363
6	Martinsville, Virginia	24.6	39,127	4.3	20.3	13,539
7	Woodstock, Virginia	23.5	64,470	5.2	25.6	5,798
8	Pulaski, Virginia	22.6	55,213	4.1	15.4	8,982
9	Galax, Virginia	22.4	44,612	4.4	17.5	6,687
10	Petersburg, Virginia	22.2	46,930	11.1	21.8	33,261
11	Seven Corners, Virginia	22.0	63,625	8.2	37.3	9,141
12	Buena Vista, Virginia	21.9	48,783	1.3	21.5	6,639
13	Bensley, Virginia	21.9	44,026	8.5	11.3	6,032
14	Hopewell, Virginia	21.3	50,661	8.6	11.1	23,046
15	Bailey’s Crossroads, Virginia	21.3	78,286	7.2	43.5	24,785
16	Marion, Virginia	20.7	37,337	5.1	20.8	5,722
17	South Boston, Virginia	20.4	49,654	4.3	19.9	7,942
18	Highland Springs, Virginia	19.1	54,270	5.4	17.8	14,881
19	Bellwood, Virginia	19.0	50,231	7.4	13.6	7,783
20	Franklin, Virginia	18.7	57,537	5.3	23.2	8,194
21	Dulles Town Center, Virginia	18.1	114,034	4.0	51.8	5,884
22	Fredericksburg, Virginia	18.0	83,445	5.1	43.5	28,258
23	Bluefield, Virginia	18.0	53,162	2.8	29.0	5,059
24	Hybla Valley, Virginia	17.5	65,843	6.3	35.0	18,104
25	Emporia, Virginia	17.3	41,442	7.0	16.5	5,680
26	Bristol, Virginia	17.0	45,250	4.1	22.8	17,036
27	Covington, Virginia	16.9	45,737	2.6	11.4	5,722
28	Winchester, Virginia	16.8	62,495	5.2	32.3	28,103
29	Big Stone Gap, Virginia	16.4	52,663	11.7	19.4	5,221
30	Dumbarton, Virginia	16.4	59,005	4.5	28.4	8,271
31	Waynesboro, Virginia	16.1	52,519	4.7	27.2	22,341
32	Abingdon, Virginia	15.7	56,164	4.0	37.3	8,346
33	Front Royal, Virginia	15.5	62,735	7.5	17.4	15,064
34	Hutchison, Virginia	14.4	99,647	2.8	42.6	6,947
35	Collinsville, Virginia	13.8	45,914	6.5	26.5	7,640

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