Special Report

Poorest City in Every State

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Since the end of the Great Recession, the United States has achieved unprecedented economic growth and reached the lowest unemployment rate in nearly 50 years. This economic growth, however, has disproportionately benefited the wealthiest Americans, leading to a rapid increase in income inequality and — in some parts of the country — worsening conditions for some of the poorest U.S. households.

While since 2011 the share of income earned by the top fifth quintile of households has risen, the share of income earned by the bottom fifth fell slightly. Income inequality is particularly severe in several states — including California, Massachusetts, and Texas — where there is at least one city where the median annual household income is below $40,000 and at least $100,000 less than the median household income in the wealthiest city in the state.

To determine the poorest city in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed median household incomes for the over 600 U.S. cities, towns, villages, municipalities, boroughs, and Census designated places with at least 65,000 residents using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey. States in which there were no cities with at least 65,000 residents or with only one place with at least 65,000 residents were excluded from the analysis. Forty-three states fit our criteria.

One of the main determinants of income is educational attainment, as workers with more education are more likely to have high-paying, secure jobs. Nationwide, the typical college graduate earns $54,628 a year, more than twice the median earnings of $24,530 for those who did not graduate high school.

In many of the states on our list, the poorest city also has the smallest share of high school graduates in the state among places with at least 65,000 residents. For more on education, see America’s most and least educated states and the most educated city in every state.

Click here to see the poorest city in every state
Click here to read our methodology

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Alabama: Birmingham
> Median household income: $36,395 (state: $49,861)
> Poverty rate: 27.1% (state: 16.8%)
> Median home value: $93,400 (state: $147,900)
> Population: 209,294

See all stories featuring: Alabama

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Alaska: only one city with 65,000+ people
> Alaska median household income: $74,346
> Alaska poverty rate: 10.9%
> Alaska median home value: $276,100
> Alaska population: 737,438

See all stories featuring: Alaska

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Arizona: Tucson
> Median household income: $43,676 (state: $59,246)
> Poverty rate: 21.9% (state: 14.0%)
> Median home value: $167,800 (state: $241,100)
> Population: 545,987

See all stories featuring: Arizona

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Arkansas: Fayetteville
> Median household income: $41,890 (state: $47,062)
> Poverty rate: 24.3% (state: 17.2%)
> Median home value: $226,000 (state: $133,100)
> Population: 86,765

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

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California: Hemet
> Median household income: $39,305 (state: $75,277)
> Poverty rate: 17.0% (state: 12.8%)
> Median home value: $197,700 (state: $546,800)
> Population: 85,291

See all stories featuring: California

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Colorado: Pueblo
> Median household income: $41,012 (state: $71,953)
> Poverty rate: 22.1% (state: 9.6%)
> Median home value: $153,900 (state: $373,300)
> Population: 111,751

See all stories featuring: Colorado

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Connecticut: Hartford
> Median household income: $30,444 (state: $76,348)
> Poverty rate: 31.1% (state: 10.4%)
> Median home value: $166,200 (state: $277,400)
> Population: 122,591

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

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Delaware: only one city with 65,000+ people
> Delaware median household income: $64,805
> Delaware poverty rate: 12.5%
> Delaware median home value: $255,300
> Delaware population: 967,171

See all stories featuring: Delaware

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Florida: Kissimmee
> Median household income: $35,574 (state: $55,462)
> Poverty rate: 26.2% (state: 13.6%)
> Median home value: $195,400 (state: $230,600)
> Population: 73,596

See all stories featuring: Florida

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Georgia: Albany
> Median household income: $35,575 (state: $58,756)
> Poverty rate: 31.8% (state: 14.3%)
> Median home value: $99,100 (state: $189,900)
> Population: 71,646

See all stories featuring: Georgia

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Hawaii: only one city with 65,000+ people
> Hawaii median household income: $80,212
> Hawaii poverty rate: 8.8%
> Hawaii median home value: $631,700
> Hawaii population: 1.4 million

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

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Idaho: Nampa
> Median household income: $47,997 (state: $55,583)
> Poverty rate: 12.7% (state: 11.8%)
> Median home value: $177,500 (state: $233,100)
> Population: 96,245

See all stories featuring: Idaho

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Illinois: Rockford
> Median household income: $42,489 (state: $65,030)
> Poverty rate: 24.0% (state: 12.1%)
> Median home value: $92,800 (state: $203,400)
> Population: 147,676

See all stories featuring: Illinois

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Indiana: Muncie
> Median household income: $32,565 (state: $55,746)
> Poverty rate: 31.2% (state: 13.1%)
> Median home value: $76,100 (state: $147,300)
> Population: 70,178

See all stories featuring: Indiana

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Iowa: Waterloo
> Median household income: $45,646 (state: $59,955)
> Poverty rate: 19.4% (state: 11.2%)
> Median home value: $113,400 (state: $152,000)
> Population: 67,797

See all stories featuring: Iowa

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Kansas: Topeka
> Median household income: $44,338 (state: $58,218)
> Poverty rate: 17.2% (state: 12.0%)
> Median home value: $109,700 (state: $159,400)
> Population: 125,908

See all stories featuring: Kansas

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Kentucky: Bowling Green
> Median household income: $38,665 (state: $50,247)
> Poverty rate: 27.6% (state: 16.9%)
> Median home value: $165,300 (state: $148,100)
> Population: 68,393

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

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Louisiana: Shreveport
> Median household income: $36,338 (state: $47,905)
> Poverty rate: 24.4% (state: 18.6%)
> Median home value: $140,600 (state: $167,300)
> Population: 189,149

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

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Maine: only one city with 65,000+ people
> Maine median household income: $55,602
> Maine poverty rate: 11.6%
> Maine median home value: $197,500
> Maine population: 1.3 million

See all stories featuring: Maine

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Maryland: Baltimore
> Median household income: $51,000 (state: $83,242)
> Poverty rate: 18.4% (state: 9.0%)
> Median home value: $167,800 (state: $324,800)
> Population: 602,495

See all stories featuring: Maryland

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Massachusetts: Springfield
> Median household income: $32,747 (state: $79,835)
> Poverty rate: 30.2% (state: 10.0%)
> Median home value: $159,200 (state: $400,700)
> Population: 155,029

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

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Michigan: Flint
> Median household income: $28,844 (state: $56,697)
> Poverty rate: 34.7% (state: 14.1%)
> Median home value: $31,200 (state: $162,500)
> Population: 95,932

See all stories featuring: Michigan

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Minnesota: Duluth
> Median household income: $49,050 (state: $70,315)
> Poverty rate: 17.1% (state: 9.6%)
> Median home value: $170,300 (state: $235,400)
> Population: 85,884

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

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Mississippi: Gulfport
> Median household income: $37,330 (state: $44,717)
> Poverty rate: 29.7% (state: 19.7%)
> Median home value: $134,100 (state: $123,300)
> Population: 71,865

See all stories featuring: Mississippi

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Missouri: Springfield
> Median household income: $33,879 (state: $54,478)
> Poverty rate: 22.8% (state: 13.2%)
> Median home value: $120,800 (state: $162,600)
> Population: 168,113

See all stories featuring: Missouri

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Montana: Missoula
> Median household income: $53,375 (state: $55,328)
> Poverty rate: 16.3% (state: 13.0%)
> Median home value: $304,200 (state: $249,200)
> Population: 74,427

See all stories featuring: Montana

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Nebraska: Lincoln
> Median household income: $55,388 (state: $59,566)
> Poverty rate: 13.5% (state: 11.0%)
> Median home value: $173,600 (state: $161,800)
> Population: 287,399

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

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Nevada: Sunrise Manor
> Median household income: $41,342 (state: $58,646)
> Poverty rate: 25.1% (state: 12.9%)
> Median home value: $190,100 (state: $292,200)
> Population: 188,515

See all stories featuring: Nevada

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New Hampshire: Manchester
> Median household income: $60,232 (state: $74,991)
> Poverty rate: 14.2% (state: 7.6%)
> Median home value: $231,800 (state: $270,000)
> Population: 112,529

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

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New Jersey: Camden
> Median household income: $25,928 (state: $81,740)
> Poverty rate: 40.9% (state: 9.5%)
> Median home value: $87,200 (state: $344,000)
> Population: 73,968

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

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New Mexico: Las Cruces
> Median household income: $35,617 (state: $47,169)
> Poverty rate: 25.0% (state: 19.5%)
> Median home value: $151,500 (state: $174,700)
> Population: 102,929

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

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New York: Rochester
> Median household income: $35,403 (state: $67,844)
> Poverty rate: 31.7% (state: 13.6%)
> Median home value: $82,700 (state: $325,500)
> Population: 206,290

See all stories featuring: New York

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North Carolina: Greenville
> Median household income: $39,234 (state: $53,855)
> Poverty rate: 31.4% (state: 14.0%)
> Median home value: $158,100 (state: $180,600)
> Population: 93,136

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

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North Dakota: Fargo
> Median household income: $51,839 (state: $63,837)
> Poverty rate: 13.3% (state: 10.7%)
> Median home value: $220,400 (state: $198,700)
> Population: 125,040

See all stories featuring: North Dakota

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Ohio: Cleveland
> Median household income: $29,953 (state: $56,111)
> Poverty rate: 33.1% (state: 13.9%)
> Median home value: $71,100 (state: $151,100)
> Population: 383,781

See all stories featuring: Ohio

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Oklahoma: Lawton
> Median household income: $47,360 (state: $51,924)
> Poverty rate: 17.1% (state: 15.6%)
> Median home value: $106,100 (state: $140,000)
> Population: 92,860

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

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Oregon: Medford
> Median household income: $51,450 (state: $63,426)
> Poverty rate: 17.0% (state: 12.6%)
> Median home value: $273,600 (state: $341,800)
> Population: 82,348

See all stories featuring: Oregon

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Pennsylvania: Reading
> Median household income: $32,466 (state: $60,905)
> Poverty rate: 32.1% (state: 12.2%)
> Median home value: $67,200 (state: $186,000)
> Population: 88,508

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

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Rhode Island: Providence
> Median household income: $42,347 (state: $64,340)
> Poverty rate: 28.0% (state: 12.9%)
> Median home value: $219,500 (state: $273,800)
> Population: 179,335

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

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South Carolina: Columbia
> Median household income: $46,073 (state: $52,306)
> Poverty rate: 24.3% (state: 15.3%)
> Median home value: $181,300 (state: $170,800)
> Population: 133,610

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

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South Dakota: Rapid City
> Median household income: $50,233 (state: $56,274)
> Poverty rate: 17.6% (state: 13.1%)
> Median home value: $186,600 (state: $171,500)
> Population: 75,448

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

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Tennessee: Memphis
> Median household income: $37,199 (state: $52,375)
> Poverty rate: 27.8% (state: 15.3%)
> Median home value: $103,700 (state: $177,500)
> Population: 650,632

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

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Texas: Brownsville
> Median household income: $36,976 (state: $60,629)
> Poverty rate: 31.6% (state: 14.9%)
> Median home value: $92,800 (state: $186,000)
> Population: 183,389

See all stories featuring: Texas

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Utah: Provo
> Median household income: $48,575 (state: $71,414)
> Poverty rate: 29.1% (state: 9.0%)
> Median home value: $285,700 (state: $303,300)
> Population: 116,713

See all stories featuring: Utah

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Vermont: no city with 65,000+ people
> Vermont median household income: $60,782
> Vermont poverty rate: 11.0%
> Vermont median home value: $233,100
> Vermont population: 626,299

See all stories featuring: Vermont

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Virginia: Lynchburg
> Median household income: $42,389 (state: $72,577)
> Poverty rate: 21.1% (state: 10.7%)
> Median home value: $175,500 (state: $281,700)
> Population: 82,126

See all stories featuring: Virginia

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Washington: Yakima
> Median household income: $48,942 (state: $74,073)
> Poverty rate: 18.7% (state: 10.3%)
> Median home value: $185,100 (state: $373,100)
> Population: 93,874

See all stories featuring: Washington

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West Virginia: no city with 65,000+ people
> West Virginia median household income: $44,097
> West Virginia poverty rate: 17.8%
> West Virginia median home value: $121,300
> West Virginia population: 1.8 million

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

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Wisconsin: Milwaukee
> Median household income: $42,087 (state: $60,773)
> Poverty rate: 24.9% (state: 11.0%)
> Median home value: $126,300 (state: $188,500)
> Population: 592,002

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

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Wyoming: no city with 65,000+ people
> Wyoming median household income: $61,584
> Wyoming poverty rate: 11.1%
> Wyoming median home value: $230,500
> Wyoming population: 577,737

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

Methodology

To determine the poorest city in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed median household incomes for the over 600 U.S. cities, towns, villages, municipalities, boroughs, and Census designated places with at least 65,000 residents using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey. States in which there were no cities with at least 65,000 residents or with only one city with at least 65,000 residents were excluded from the analysis. Forty-three states fit our criteria. Data on poverty, median home value, and population are also from the ACS and are one-year estimates for 2018.

Household income includes the income of the householder and all other individuals 15 years and over in the household, and is the sum of the amounts reported separately for wage or salary income; net self-employment income; interest, dividends, net rental, or royalty income; income from estates and trusts; Social Security or retirement income; Supplemental Security Income; public assistance or welfare payments; pensions; and all other income.

City boundaries are defined by the Census Bureau and adhere to the “place” geographical classification. Places can include municipalities, cities, towns, villages, and boroughs, as well as Census Designated Places, which are a statistical designation for unincorporated communities used by the Census Bureau. All figures listed are for 2018. All state figures referenced apply to the state the city is in, and not the average of all states.

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