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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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