Median household income has climbed steadily in the United States since 2014, hitting an all time high of over $63,000 in 2018. In a country of over 330 million people, however, the national median income does not often reflect incomes at the local level and the day-to-day financial reality of many Americans.
How much a typical household earns varies considerably from state to state — from as little as $43,600 in Mississippi to as much as nearly $82,000 in Maryland — and the difference can be even greater across communities and municipalities within states. In nearly every state, even some of the wealthiest, there is at least one county where the where the median household income is lower than the national median.
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed median household income in over 2,000 counties and county equivalents nationwide to identify the poorest county in each state.
Many of the counties on this list are relatively small and rural — and the low median income in these places is attributable in part to a lack of jobs. In the vast majority of the counties on this list, the unemployment rate is higher than it is across the state as a whole. Several counties on this list rank among those with the worst jobless rates nationwide. Here is a look at the 50 counties with the highest unemployment.
The weak job markets and low incomes in these counties often means real financial hardship for many who live there. Often in these counties, large segments of the population lack the financial resources to meet even basic standards of living — as evidenced by the high poverty rates. All but four of the poorest counties in each state have a higher poverty rate than the 14.1% national rate, and in 18 of these counties, the poverty rate is at least double the national rate. Here is a state by state look at how much money a family needs in order to avoid poverty.
Click here to see the poorest county in every state.
Click here to see our methodology.
1. Alabama: Dallas County
> Median household income: $31,602 (state: $48,486)
> Poverty rate: 31.1% (state: 17.5%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.4% (state: 2.8%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.1% (state: 24.9%)
> Largest place in county: Selma
See all stories featuring: Alabama
[in-text-ad]
2. Alaska: Northwest Arctic Borough
> Median household income: $62,949 (state: $76,715)
> Poverty rate: 25.1% (state: 10.8%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 12.8% (state: 6.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.7% (state: 29.2%)
> Largest place in county: Kotzebue
See all stories featuring: Alaska
3. Arizona: Apache County
> Median household income: $32,963 (state: $56,213)
> Poverty rate: 35.3% (state: 16.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 8.9% (state: 4.8%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.7% (state: 28.9%)
> Largest place in county: Chinle
See all stories featuring: Arizona
4. Arkansas: Lafayette County
> Median household income: $32,412 (state: $45,726)
> Poverty rate: 22.2% (state: 17.6%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.3% (state: 3.5%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 16.5% (state: 22.6%)
> Largest place in county: Stamps
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
[in-text-ad-2]
5. California: Lake County
> Median household income: $42,475 (state: $71,228)
> Poverty rate: 21.0% (state: 14.3%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.1% (state: 3.9%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.8% (state: 33.3%)
> Largest place in county: Clearlake
See all stories featuring: California
6. Colorado: Otero County
> Median household income: $34,136 (state: $68,811)
> Poverty rate: 24.7% (state: 10.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.2% (state: 2.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.7% (state: 40.1%)
> Largest place in county: La Junta
See all stories featuring: Colorado
[in-text-ad]
7. Connecticut: Windham County
> Median household income: $64,774 (state: $76,106)
> Poverty rate: 10.5% (state: 10.0%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.5% (state: 3.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 24.1% (state: 38.9%)
> Largest place in county: Willimantic
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
8. Delaware: Kent County
> Median household income: $58,775 (state: $65,627)
> Poverty rate: 13.6% (state: 11.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.2% (state: 3.7%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 23.6% (state: 31.4%)
> Largest place in county: Dover
See all stories featuring: Delaware
9. Florida: DeSoto County
> Median household income: $35,057 (state: $53,267)
> Poverty rate: 28.5% (state: 14.8%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.3% (state: 3.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.4% (state: 29.2%)
> Largest place in county: Arcadia
See all stories featuring: Florida
[in-text-ad-2]
10. Georgia: Telfair County
> Median household income: $30,288 (state: $55,679)
> Poverty rate: 28.2% (state: 16.0%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 8.9% (state: 3.4%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 8.4% (state: 30.7%)
> Largest place in county: McRae
See all stories featuring: Georgia
11. Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Median household income: $59,297 (state: $78,084)
> Poverty rate: 16.6% (state: 9.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.6% (state: 2.7%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 29.5% (state: 32.5%)
> Largest place in county: Hilo
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
[in-text-ad]
12. Idaho: Madison County
> Median household income: $36,031 (state: $53,089)
> Poverty rate: 30.5% (state: 13.8%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 1.5% (state: 2.9%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 36.4% (state: 26.9%)
> Largest place in county: Rexburg
See all stories featuring: Idaho
13. Illinois: Pulaski County
> Median household income: $33,799 (state: $63,575)
> Poverty rate: 18.9% (state: 13.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.3% (state: 3.9%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 12.3% (state: 34.1%)
> Largest place in county: Mounds
See all stories featuring: Illinois
14. Indiana: Blackford County
> Median household income: $42,217 (state: $54,325)
> Poverty rate: 12.6% (state: 14.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.4% (state: 3.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 13.6% (state: 25.9%)
> Largest place in county: Hartford City
See all stories featuring: Indiana
[in-text-ad-2]
15. Iowa: Appanoose County
> Median household income: $41,111 (state: $58,580)
> Poverty rate: 16.1% (state: 11.7%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.1% (state: 2.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.1% (state: 28.2%)
> Largest place in county: Centerville
See all stories featuring: Iowa
16. Kansas: Elk County
> Median household income: $38,494 (state: $57,422)
> Poverty rate: 14.6% (state: 12.4%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.6% (state: 3.1%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.0% (state: 32.9%)
> Largest place in county: Howard
See all stories featuring: Kansas
[in-text-ad]
17. Kentucky: Harlan County
> Median household income: $26,324 (state: $48,392)
> Poverty rate: 36.2% (state: 17.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 10.3% (state: 4.3%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 10.8% (state: 23.6%)
> Largest place in county: Cumberland
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
24/7 Wall St.
18. Louisiana: Natchitoches Parish
> Median household income: $27,795 (state: $47,942)
> Poverty rate: 33.5% (state: 19.4%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.7% (state: 4.5%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 17.8% (state: 23.7%)
> Largest place in county: Natchitoches
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
19. Maine: Piscataquis County
> Median household income: $39,470 (state: $55,425)
> Poverty rate: 19.2% (state: 12.5%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 2.9% (state: 2.8%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 18.3% (state: 30.9%)
> Largest place in county: Dover-Foxcroft
See all stories featuring: Maine
[in-text-ad-2]
20. Maryland: Somerset County
> Median household income: $42,165 (state: $81,868)
> Poverty rate: 20.4% (state: 9.4%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.3% (state: 3.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.7% (state: 39.6%)
> Largest place in county: Princess Anne
See all stories featuring: Maryland
21. Massachusetts: Hampden County
> Median household income: $53,403 (state: $77,378)
> Poverty rate: 17.1% (state: 10.8%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.4% (state: 2.9%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 27.2% (state: 42.9%)
> Largest place in county: Springfield
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
[in-text-ad]
22. Michigan: Lake County
> Median household income: $34,631 (state: $54,938)
> Poverty rate: 23.8% (state: 15.0%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.6% (state: 4.1%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.3% (state: 28.6%)
> Largest place in county: Baldwin
See all stories featuring: Michigan
24/7 Wall St.
23. Minnesota: Mahnomen County
> Median household income: $44,537 (state: $68,411)
> Poverty rate: 20.9% (state: 10.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.2% (state: 3.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 12.2% (state: 35.4%)
> Largest place in county: Mahnomen
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
24. Mississippi: Holmes County
> Median household income: $21,093 (state: $43,567)
> Poverty rate: 43.6% (state: 20.8%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 9.6% (state: 5.5%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 9.9% (state: 21.8%)
> Largest place in county: Durant
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
[in-text-ad-2]
25. Missouri: Shannon County
> Median household income: $32,180 (state: $53,560)
> Poverty rate: 28.5% (state: 14.2%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.0% (state: 3.1%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.8% (state: 28.6%)
> Largest place in county: Winona
See all stories featuring: Missouri
26. Montana: Glacier County
> Median household income: $31,029 (state: $52,559)
> Poverty rate: 33.3% (state: 13.7%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 6.8% (state: 3.4%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.0% (state: 31.2%)
> Largest place in county: Cut Bank
See all stories featuring: Montana
[in-text-ad]
27. Nebraska: Sheridan County
> Median household income: $41,719 (state: $59,116)
> Poverty rate: 18.0% (state: 11.6%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.0% (state: 3.1%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 23.6% (state: 31.3%)
> Largest place in county: Gordon
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
28. Nevada: Nye County
> Median household income: $45,711 (state: $57,598)
> Poverty rate: 16.2% (state: 13.7%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.8% (state: 4.1%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.5% (state: 24.2%)
> Largest place in county: Pahrump
See all stories featuring: Nevada
29. New Hampshire: Coos County
> Median household income: $45,696 (state: $74,057)
> Poverty rate: 12.8% (state: 7.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 2.4% (state: 2.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 18.1% (state: 36.5%)
> Largest place in county: Berlin
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
[in-text-ad-2]
30. New Jersey: Cumberland County
> Median household income: $52,593 (state: $79,363)
> Poverty rate: 17.6% (state: 10.4%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.8% (state: 3.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 14.7% (state: 38.9%)
> Largest place in county: Vineland
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
31. New Mexico: Quay County
> Median household income: $27,075 (state: $48,059)
> Poverty rate: 22.1% (state: 20.0%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.7% (state: 4.8%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.8% (state: 27.1%)
> Largest place in county: Tucumcari
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
[in-text-ad]
32. New York: Bronx County
> Median household income: $38,085 (state: $65,323)
> Poverty rate: 29.1% (state: 14.6%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.6% (state: 4.0%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 19.8% (state: 35.9%)
> Largest place in county: New York
See all stories featuring: New York
33. North Carolina: Bladen County
> Median household income: $32,378 (state: $52,413)
> Poverty rate: 26.0% (state: 15.4%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.6% (state: 4.0%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.1% (state: 30.5%)
> Largest place in county: Elizabethtown
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
34. North Dakota: Rolette County
> Median household income: $39,884 (state: $63,473)
> Poverty rate: 29.3% (state: 10.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.2% (state: 2.5%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 20.0% (state: 29.5%)
> Largest place in county: Belcourt
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
[in-text-ad-2]
35. Ohio: Adams County
> Median household income: $36,894 (state: $54,533)
> Poverty rate: 22.6% (state: 14.5%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.8% (state: 4.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 12.9% (state: 27.8%)
> Largest place in county: West Union
See all stories featuring: Ohio
36. Oklahoma: Choctaw County
> Median household income: $32,129 (state: $51,424)
> Poverty rate: 29.0% (state: 16.0%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.7% (state: 3.3%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 12.3% (state: 25.2%)
> Largest place in county: Hugo
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
[in-text-ad]
37. Oregon: Malheur County
> Median household income: $42,478 (state: $59,393)
> Poverty rate: 23.0% (state: 14.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.3% (state: 4.0%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 13.8% (state: 32.9%)
> Largest place in county: Ontario
See all stories featuring: Oregon
38. Pennsylvania: Forest County
> Median household income: $38,383 (state: $59,445)
> Poverty rate: 14.5% (state: 12.8%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.7% (state: 4.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 7.4% (state: 30.8%)
> Largest place in county: Tionesta
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
39. Rhode Island: Providence County
> Median household income: $55,233 (state: $63,296)
> Poverty rate: 16.2% (state: 13.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.2% (state: 3.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 28.1% (state: 33.3%)
> Largest place in county: Providence
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
[in-text-ad-2]
40. South Carolina: Dillon County
> Median household income: $29,362 (state: $51,015)
> Poverty rate: 33.8% (state: 16.0%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.1% (state: 2.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.1% (state: 27.4%)
> Largest place in county: Dillon
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
41. South Dakota: Mellette County
> Median household income: $31,222 (state: $56,499)
> Poverty rate: 48.3% (state: 13.6%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.2% (state: 3.0%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 13.7% (state: 28.5%)
> Largest place in county: White River
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
[in-text-ad]
42. Tennessee: Hancock County
> Median household income: $28,990 (state: $50,972)
> Poverty rate: 25.8% (state: 16.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 5.5% (state: 3.4%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 11.5% (state: 26.6%)
> Largest place in county: Sneedville
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
43. Texas: Starr County
> Median household income: $29,294 (state: $59,570)
> Poverty rate: 35.3% (state: 15.5%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 9.6% (state: 3.4%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 10.3% (state: 29.3%)
> Largest place in county: Rio Grande City
See all stories featuring: Texas
44. Utah: San Juan County
> Median household income: $44,680 (state: $68,374)
> Poverty rate: 26.6% (state: 10.3%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 3.1% (state: 2.5%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 18.4% (state: 33.3%)
> Largest place in county: Blanding
See all stories featuring: Utah
[in-text-ad-2]
45. Vermont: Essex County
> Median household income: $41,045 (state: $60,076)
> Poverty rate: 14.6% (state: 11.2%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 1.8% (state: 2.2%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 15.6% (state: 37.3%)
> Largest place in county: Island Pond
See all stories featuring: Vermont
46. Virginia: Dickenson County
> Median household income: $29,226 (state: $71,564)
> Poverty rate: 24.3% (state: 10.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.7% (state: 2.6%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 10.0% (state: 38.2%)
> Largest place in county: Clintwood
See all stories featuring: Virginia
[in-text-ad]
47. Washington: Ferry County
> Median household income: $41,924 (state: $70,116)
> Poverty rate: 18.8% (state: 11.5%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 9.6% (state: 4.5%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 18.2% (state: 35.3%)
> Largest place in county: Republic
See all stories featuring: Washington
24/7 Wall St.
48. West Virginia: McDowell County
> Median household income: $26,547 (state: $44,921)
> Poverty rate: 33.3% (state: 17.8%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 7.9% (state: 4.8%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 5.4% (state: 20.3%)
> Largest place in county: Welch
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
49. Wisconsin: Iron County
> Median household income: $40,801 (state: $59,209)
> Poverty rate: 14.8% (state: 11.9%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 4.6% (state: 3.3%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 20.0% (state: 29.5%)
> Largest place in county: Hurley
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
[in-text-ad-2]
50. Wyoming: Albany County
> Median household income: $46,865 (state: $62,268)
> Poverty rate: 22.6% (state: 11.1%)
> Oct. 2019 unemployment: 2.8% (state: 3.8%)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 49.9% (state: 26.9%)
> Largest place in county: Laramie
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
Methodology:
To identify the poorest county in each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed median annual household incomes for each U.S. county using 5-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey. We only considered counties with income estimates with a maximum 10% margin of error.
We also reviewed in each county the percentage of adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher, poverty rate, and median home value from the ACS. Unemployment rates for October 2019 are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are not seasonally adjusted.
County equivalents, such as parishes in Louisiana and boroughs in Alaska, were included in our analysis. Alaskan Census areas, however, which are sparsely populated and are under the purview of the state government, were excluded.
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
