Special Report
The Neighborhood With the Highest Child Poverty Rate in Every State
Published:
More than 40 million Americans live below the poverty line – an income threshold of about $35 per day, or $1,073 a month. Of those facing such extreme financial hardship, children are disproportionately affected.
The United States has one of the worst child poverty rates among wealthy, developed countries – and nearly 12.6 million children and youth under age 18 live in households with poverty level incomes. Not only are children at higher risk of poverty, they are also especially vulnerable to poverty’s harmful effects, both in the immediate and long-term.
Childhood poverty can negatively impact brain development and has been linked with a greater likelihood of chronic illness, shorter life expectancy, and poor emotional and behavioral health. Those who spend some or all of their childhood in poverty are also less likely to succeed in school or be financially secure later in life.
Nationwide, an estimated 17.5% of children under age 18 live below the poverty line. This share varies from place to place, however, and in some parts of the country, child poverty is far more common than average. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 24/7 Wall St. identified the ZIP code in every state with the highest poverty rate.
Among the places on this list, the child poverty rate ranges from about 26% to over 80% and exceeds the overall statewide child poverty rate in every case. Here is a look at the income a family needs to cover normal living expenses in every state.
Many of these ZIP codes are located in, or close to, a major city. Cities such as Baltimore, Cleveland, and Milwaukee are each home to the ZIP code with the highest levels of child poverty in the state.
Children raised in mother-only households are far more likely to live in poverty than those in two-adult households, and in most ZIP codes on this list, the share of households headed by single mothers exceeds the comparable statewide share.
Families in these ZIP codes are also more likely to rely on government assistance to afford basic necessities than families in much of the state. The share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits, or food stamps, exceeds the statewide share in every ZIP code on this list. Here is a look at the cities with the most people on food stamps.
Click here to see the ZIP code in every state with the highest child poverty rate
Click here to read our detailed methodology
Alabama: 36786
> Location: Uniontown
> Child poverty rate: 77.1% (Alabama: 22.7%)
> Median family income, households with children: $21,067 (Alabama: $64,790)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 67.3% (Alabama: 22.4%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 33.7% (Alabama: 13.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 387
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Alaska: 99620
> Location: Kotlik
> Child poverty rate: 36.3% (Alaska: 13.8%)
> Median family income, households with children: $48,250 (Alaska: $88,245)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 62.4% (Alaska: 15.9%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 38.3% (Alaska: 10.6%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 46
Arizona: 86507
> Location: Lukachukai
> Child poverty rate: 70.4% (Arizona: 20.0%)
> Median family income, households with children: $16,875 (Arizona: $69,758)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 62.0% (Arizona: 19.3%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 14.4% (Arizona: 11.9%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 266
Arkansas: 72114
> Location: North Little Rock
> Child poverty rate: 78.2% (Arkansas: 22.0%)
> Median family income, households with children: $13,510 (Arkansas: $59,204)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 59.2% (Arkansas: 18.7%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 38.2% (Arkansas: 13.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 228
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California: 93234
> Location: Huron
> Child poverty rate: 65.9% (California: 16.8%)
> Median family income, households with children: $25,091 (California: $84,790)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 54.6% (California: 16.1%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 21.9% (California: 10.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 1,196
Colorado: 81419
> Location: Hotchkiss
> Child poverty rate: 47.6% (Colorado: 11.5%)
> Median family income, households with children: $34,792 (Colorado: $91,425)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 19.0% (Colorado: 11.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 10.5% (Colorado: 9.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 255
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Connecticut: 06120
> Location: Hartford
> Child poverty rate: 50.8% (Connecticut: 13.0%)
> Median family income, households with children: $22,561 (Connecticut: $100,115)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 61.7% (Connecticut: 15.3%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 53.5% (Connecticut: 11.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 206
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Delaware: 19970
> Location: Ocean View
> Child poverty rate: 59.4% (Delaware: 17.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: $105,481 (Delaware: $79,268)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 33.8% (Delaware: 19.7%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 6.6% (Delaware: 12.1%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 45
Florida: 34475
> Location: Ocala
> Child poverty rate: 75.6% (Florida: 18.7%)
> Median family income, households with children: $16,158 (Florida: $65,053)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 75.5% (Florida: 22.7%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 31.8% (Florida: 11.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 828
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Georgia: 30456
> Location: Sardis
> Child poverty rate: 71.3% (Georgia: 20.1%)
> Median family income, households with children: N/A (Georgia: $70,326)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 56.4% (Georgia: 19.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 24.0% (Georgia: 14.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 494
Hawaii: 96737
> Location: Hawaiian Ocean View
> Child poverty rate: 39.2% (Hawaii: 11.7%)
> Median family income, households with children: N/A (Hawaii: $91,696)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 60.3% (Hawaii: 17.0%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 20.0% (Hawaii: 9.7%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 60
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Idaho: 83805
> Location: Bonners Ferry
> Child poverty rate: 35.8% (Idaho: 14.4%)
> Median family income, households with children: $51,890 (Idaho: $69,851)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 21.6% (Idaho: 15.3%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 5.9% (Idaho: 8.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 101
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Illinois: 62201
> Location: East St. Louis
> Child poverty rate: 71.5% (Illinois: 16.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: $17,596 (Illinois: $83,907)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 72.1% (Illinois: 19.4%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 51.5% (Illinois: 11.7%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 639
Indiana: 46402
> Location: Gary
> Child poverty rate: 67.3% (Indiana: 17.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $28,325 (Indiana: $70,859)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 61.3% (Indiana: 16.0%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 47.4% (Indiana: 12.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 446
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Iowa: 50314
> Location: Des Moines
> Child poverty rate: 55.5% (Iowa: 13.3%)
> Median family income, households with children: $32,054 (Iowa: $79,139)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 48.0% (Iowa: 16.7%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 25.0% (Iowa: 10.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 260
Kansas: 66101
> Location: Kansas City
> Child poverty rate: 52.5% (Kansas: 13.9%)
> Median family income, households with children: $21,866 (Kansas: $74,882)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 36.3% (Kansas: 11.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 28.9% (Kansas: 10.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 222
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Kentucky: 40823
> Location: Cumberland
> Child poverty rate: 67.3% (Kentucky: 22.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: $31,379 (Kentucky: $65,096)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 51.5% (Kentucky: 20.8%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 14.0% (Kentucky: 12.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 306
Louisiana: 71202
> Location: Monroe
> Child poverty rate: 77.7% (Louisiana: 26.3%)
> Median family income, households with children: $16,145 (Louisiana: $61,722)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 68.6% (Louisiana: 24.9%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 41.6% (Louisiana: 16.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 300
Maine: 04217
> Location: Bethel
> Child poverty rate: 52.4% (Maine: 14.0%)
> Median family income, households with children: $32,697 (Maine: $76,852)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 45.6% (Maine: 18.4%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 13.7% (Maine: 9.1%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 122
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Maryland: 21217
> Location: Baltimore
> Child poverty rate: 53.1% (Maryland: 11.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $30,117 (Maryland: $103,641)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 56.5% (Maryland: 15.5%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 30.7% (Maryland: 12.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 279
Massachusetts: 01608
> Location: Worcester
> Child poverty rate: 81.7% (Massachusetts: 12.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: N/A (Massachusetts: $109,908)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 76.8% (Massachusetts: 15.8%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 52.4% (Massachusetts: 11.1%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 374
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Michigan: 48218
> Location: River Rouge
> Child poverty rate: 63.8% (Michigan: 18.8%)
> Median family income, households with children: $19,693 (Michigan: $73,187)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 30.7% (Michigan: 19.7%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 30.1% (Michigan: 11.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 618
Minnesota: 55454
> Location: Minneapolis
> Child poverty rate: 54.2% (Minnesota: 11.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $31,925 (Minnesota: $95,628)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 62.1% (Minnesota: 11.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 45.2% (Minnesota: 9.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 382
Mississippi: 38762
> Location: Mound Bayou
> Child poverty rate: 75.5% (Mississippi: 27.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $26,618 (Mississippi: $54,822)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 74.2% (Mississippi: 24.2%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 40.7% (Mississippi: 16.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 235
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Missouri: 64106
> Location: Kansas City
> Child poverty rate: 75.0% (Missouri: 17.4%)
> Median family income, households with children: $25,173 (Missouri: $72,033)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 57.4% (Missouri: 17.2%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 40.4% (Missouri: 11.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 419
Montana: 59255
> Location: Poplar
> Child poverty rate: 46.9% (Montana: 15.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: $31,458 (Montana: $71,986)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 21.4% (Montana: 16.2%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 35.7% (Montana: 8.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 78
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Nebraska: 68503
> Location: Lincoln
> Child poverty rate: 50.0% (Nebraska: 12.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: $34,634 (Nebraska: $77,982)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 39.7% (Nebraska: 13.9%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 24.1% (Nebraska: 10.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 135
Nevada: 89029
> Location: Laughlin
> Child poverty rate: 50.4% (Nevada: 17.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $23,427 (Nevada: $67,738)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 55.6% (Nevada: 18.7%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 7.6% (Nevada: 12.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 98
New Hampshire: 03217
> Location: Ashland
> Child poverty rate: 58.6% (New Hampshire: 8.9%)
> Median family income, households with children: $31,875 (New Hampshire: $100,798)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 39.3% (New Hampshire: 11.3%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 19.2% (New Hampshire: 8.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 118
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New Jersey: 08102
> Location: Camden
> Child poverty rate: 62.2% (New Jersey: 13.3%)
> Median family income, households with children: $20,909 (New Jersey: $106,937)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 59.3% (New Jersey: 12.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 39.0% (New Jersey: 10.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 478
New Mexico: 87328
> Location: Navajo
> Child poverty rate: 66.9% (New Mexico: 25.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $21,667 (New Mexico: $54,886)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 62.2% (New Mexico: 28.4%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 41.3% (New Mexico: 14.0%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 111
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New York: 13202
> Location: Syracuse
> Child poverty rate: 73.7% (New York: 18.7%)
> Median family income, households with children: $14,125 (New York: $83,272)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 76.0% (New York: 19.4%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 49.0% (New York: 12.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 939
North Carolina: 28464
> Location: Teachey
> Child poverty rate: 67.4% (North Carolina: 20.0%)
> Median family income, households with children: $24,464 (North Carolina: $68,688)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 63.4% (North Carolina: 20.0%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 26.0% (North Carolina: 12.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 527
North Dakota: 58335
> Location: Fort Totten
> Child poverty rate: 62.1% (North Dakota: 11.1%)
> Median family income, households with children: $24,125 (North Dakota: $86,414)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 57.1% (North Dakota: 10.9%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 41.7% (North Dakota: 9.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 46
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Ohio: 44115
> Location: Cleveland
> Child poverty rate: 87.0% (Ohio: 19.1%)
> Median family income, households with children: $7,725 (Ohio: $72,130)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 85.2% (Ohio: 19.8%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 64.3% (Ohio: 12.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 721
Oklahoma: 74106
> Location: Tulsa
> Child poverty rate: 53.5% (Oklahoma: 20.7%)
> Median family income, households with children: $22,575 (Oklahoma: $62,535)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 55.7% (Oklahoma: 20.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 34.4% (Oklahoma: 12.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 297
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Oregon: 97463
> Location: Oakridge
> Child poverty rate: 67.9% (Oregon: 15.0%)
> Median family income, households with children: N/A (Oregon: $78,939)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 53.3% (Oregon: 21.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 23.7% (Oregon: 9.9%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 200
Pennsylvania: 15901
> Location: Johnstown
> Child poverty rate: 67.9% (Pennsylvania: 16.7%)
> Median family income, households with children: $29,000 (Pennsylvania: $81,257)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 59.5% (Pennsylvania: 20.3%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 24.6% (Pennsylvania: 11.1%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 828
Rhode Island: 02863
> Location: Central Falls
> Child poverty rate: 39.4% (Rhode Island: 15.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $32,983 (Rhode Island: $83,161)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 43.6% (Rhode Island: 21.0%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 20.6% (Rhode Island: 12.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 53
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South Carolina: 29321
> Location: Buffalo
> Child poverty rate: 63.8% (South Carolina: 21.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: $24,795 (South Carolina: $64,942)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 44.3% (South Carolina: 20.0%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 10.6% (South Carolina: 13.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 277
South Dakota: 57570
> Location: Rosebud
> Child poverty rate: 81.7% (South Dakota: 16.1%)
> Median family income, households with children: $14,464 (South Dakota: $76,789)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 56.4% (South Dakota: 15.8%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 60.3% (South Dakota: 10.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 74
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Tennessee: 38126
> Location: Memphis
> Child poverty rate: 84.3% (Tennessee: 20.8%)
> Median family income, households with children: $15,354 (Tennessee: $65,852)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 55.1% (Tennessee: 20.9%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 54.8% (Tennessee: 12.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 402
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Texas: 79845
> Location: Presidio
> Child poverty rate: 83.5% (Texas: 20.0%)
> Median family income, households with children: $15,262 (Texas: $71,693)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 61.2% (Texas: 19.3%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 17.5% (Texas: 13.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 1,212
Utah: 84784
> Location: Hildale
> Child poverty rate: 48.5% (Utah: 9.9%)
> Median family income, households with children: N/A (Utah: $84,298)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 69.0% (Utah: 9.4%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 15.9% (Utah: 7.7%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 133
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Vermont: 05404
> Location: Winooski
> Child poverty rate: 36.2% (Vermont: 12.3%)
> Median family income, households with children: $66,932 (Vermont: $81,902)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 22.1% (Vermont: 15.2%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 5.7% (Vermont: 9.5%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 60
Virginia: 24281
> Location: Rose Hill (Lee County)
> Child poverty rate: 68.0% (Virginia: 13.1%)
> Median family income, households with children: N/A (Virginia: $93,828)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 37.0% (Virginia: 13.1%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 3.3% (Virginia: 10.8%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 458
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Washington: 98844
> Location: Oroville
> Child poverty rate: 58.5% (Washington: 12.6%)
> Median family income, households with children: $36,795 (Washington: $90,447)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 31.0% (Washington: 16.0%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 5.9% (Washington: 9.4%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 322
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West Virginia: 25524
> Location: Harts
> Child poverty rate: 75.4% (West Virginia: 23.1%)
> Median family income, households with children: N/A (West Virginia: $59,938)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 65.0% (West Virginia: 26.8%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 12.9% (West Virginia: 10.3%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 157
Wisconsin: 53233
> Location: Milwaukee
> Child poverty rate: 82.0% (Wisconsin: 14.2%)
> Median family income, households with children: $12,232 (Wisconsin: $81,197)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 76.6% (Wisconsin: 16.6%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 46.9% (Wisconsin: 10.2%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 430
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Wyoming: 82501
> Location: Riverton
> Child poverty rate: 26.3% (Wyoming: 12.3%)
> Median family income, households with children: $55,348 (Wyoming: $80,825)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 21.0% (Wyoming: 9.2%)
> Households headed by single mothers: 12.2% (Wyoming: 8.7%)
> No. of zip codes considered in ranking: 38
Methodology
To determine the ZIP code with the highest child poverty rate in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of child poverty rates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey.
We used ZIP Code Tabulation Areas — a census geography type which defines areal representations of United States Postal Service ZIP codes (USPS ZIP codes do not define geographic boundaries but instead are a network of mail delivery routes in a service area). We refer to census ZCTAs as ZIP codes.
ZIP codes were excluded if the child poverty rate was not available in the 2020 ACS, if the number of children for whom poverty status was determined was lower than 500, or if the sampling error associated with a ZIP code’s data was deemed too high.
The sampling error was defined as too high if the coefficient of variation — a statistical assessment of how reliable an estimate is — for a ZIP code’s child poverty rate was above 15% and greater than two standard deviations above the mean CV for all ZIP codes’ child poverty rates. We similarly excluded ZIP codes that had a sampling error too high for their population, using the same definition.
ZIP codes were ranked based on the share of children living in poverty. To break ties, we used the number of children living in poverty.
Additional information on median income for families with children, the share of households with children receiving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and the share of households headed by single mothers are also five-year estimates from the 2020 ACS. Because the Census Bureau didn’t release one-year estimates for 2020 due to data collection issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, all ACS data are five-year estimates.
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