Economy

This is The Poorest County in Every State in the US

Wooden houses in the industrial suburb of Buffalo, NY, USA
Richard Cavalleri / Shutterstock.com

The US economy is very strong, especially if compared to the other G7 countries. In the decade from 2023 to 2022, the US had a real GDP growth of 2.1%. This is above the G7 average of 1.7%. However, one must also look at the income inequality rate in the US, which is the biggest among G7 countries.

Though the typical American household earns over $75,000 a year, there are communities across the country where most households earn far less than that — often by tens of thousands of dollars. In many of these places, residents are far more likely to live below the poverty line than the typical American, and employment opportunities are relatively limited. Still, perceptions of the U.S. economy are overwhelmingly negative. Due largely to broad, macroeconomic circumstances, including inflation, the national debt, and taxes, 83% of Americans see economic conditions as poor or only fair, according to a March 2023 Gallup poll. But for many Americans, reasons for pessimism are far more personal. 

Using five-year median household income estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the poorest county or county equivalent in each state. In every county, borough, parish, or independent city on this list, incomes are anywhere from 11% to 66% lower than they are across the state. Annual unemployment data is from the BLS, and all other supplemental data are five-year estimates from the 2022 ACS. 

Why We Are Looking At The Poorest Counties

Multicultural team of humanitarian aid workers at food drive, sorting through donated food to ensure efficient distribution to less fortunate. Handing out of free meals to people in poverty.
Source: DC Studio / Shutterstock.com

The poorest counties in the US tend to be in rural areas and not near major urban and economic centers. They usually are just outside easy commuting distance to the closest big center with its associated job opportunities. These areas usually also lack basic infrastructure, making it more difficult to be economically viable.

It is important to identify areas with a persistently high poverty rate. This will help with the allocation of grants, loans, and other program funds. For instance, the White House’s Build Back Better Act will alleviate poverty among American children and families. How this will be allocated, will depend on how individuals are identified as needing help.

Here is the poorest county in every state.

Alabama: Sumter

Livingston, AL - April 2021: Sumter County Courthouse in Livingston, Alabama.
Source: Stephen Reeves / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $31,726 (Alabama: $59,609)
  • Poverty rate: 30.4% (Alabama: 15.7%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.5% (Alabama: 2.6%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.8% (Alabama: 27.2%)
  • Total population in county: 12,196
  • County seat: Livingston
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 67

Alaska: Kusilvak

Grizzly Bear of Shores of Alaska.
Source: Robert Frashure / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $42,663 (Alaska: $86,370)
  • Poverty rate: 34.3% (Alaska: 10.5%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 12.9% (Alaska: 4.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 4.6% (Alaska: 30.7%)
  • Total population in county: 8,372
  • County seat: N/A
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 30

Arizona: Apache

Saguaros and Superstition Mountains, Lost Dutchman State Park, Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
Source: Fotogro / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $37,483 (Arizona: $72,581)
  • Poverty rate: 32.5% (Arizona: 13.1%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 7.7% (Arizona: 3.8%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.8% (Arizona: 31.8%)
  • Total population in county: 66,054
  • County seat: St. Johns
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 15

Arkansas: Lee

A kayaker is floating down the Buffalo River near Ponca, Arkansas.
Source: Damon Shaw / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $33,801 (Arkansas: $56,335)
  • Poverty rate: 27.6% (Arkansas: 16.2%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.6% (Arkansas: 3.3%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.7% (Arkansas: 24.7%)
  • Total population in county: 8,666
  • County seat: Marianna
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 75

California: Trinity

Bunny Flat Trailhead, Mount Shasta, Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Source: BDLane / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $47,317 (California: $91,905)
  • Poverty rate: 22.0% (California: 12.1%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.6% (California: 4.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.2% (California: 35.9%)
  • Total population in county: 15,889
  • County seat: Weaverville
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 58

Colorado: Costilla

Source: denverjeffrey / Flickr
  • Household income (median): $34,578 (Colorado: $87,598)
  • Poverty rate: 22.5% (Colorado: 9.6%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.1% (Colorado: 3.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.7% (Colorado: 43.7%)
  • Total population in county: 3,534
  • County seat: San Luis
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 64

Connecticut: Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region

  • Household income (median): $80,330 (Connecticut: $90,213)
  • Poverty rate: 9.9% (Connecticut: 10.1%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: N/A (Connecticut: 4.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 33.8% (Connecticut: 41.4%)
  • Total population in county: 280,293
  • County seat: N/A
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 9

Delaware: Kent

Source: David Osberg / Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $69,278 (Delaware: $79,325)
  • Poverty rate: 12.3% (Delaware: 11.1%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 5.2% (Delaware: 4.5%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 26.3% (Delaware: 34.5%)
  • Total population in county: 182,400
  • County seat: Dover
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 3

Florida: Glades

Beach at Canaveral National Seashore at Cape Canaveral, Florida
Source: Susanne Pommer / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $37,221 (Florida: $67,917)
  • Poverty rate: 21.9% (Florida: 12.9%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.2% (Florida: 2.9%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.0% (Florida: 32.3%)
  • Total population in county: 12,179
  • County seat: Moore Haven
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 67

Georgia: Randolph

Source: Upstateherd / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $24,638 (Georgia: $71,355)
  • Poverty rate: 28.1% (Georgia: 13.5%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.4% (Georgia: 3.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.4% (Georgia: 33.6%)
  • Total population in county: 6,365
  • County seat: Cuthbert
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 159

Hawaii: Hawaii

Beautiful Lanikai, Kailua Sunrise in Hawaii
Source: Shane Myers Photography / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $74,238 (Hawaii: $94,814)
  • Poverty rate: 14.1% (Hawaii: 9.6%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.6% (Hawaii: 3.5%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 30.7% (Hawaii: 34.7%)
  • Total population in county: 202,163
  • County seat: Hilo
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 5

Idaho: Butte

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $37,358 (Idaho: $70,214)
  • Poverty rate: 22.1% (Idaho: 11.0%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.0% (Idaho: 2.7%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.2% (Idaho: 30.2%)
  • Total population in county: 2,605
  • County seat: Arco
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 44

Illinois: Alexander

Aurora, Illinois, United States of America - July 21st 2023: Aurora Illinois Waubonsie Lake Park Drone Photography
Source: Pix by Painter / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $40,365 (Illinois: $78,433)
  • Poverty rate: 21.4% (Illinois: 11.8%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 6.3% (Illinois: 4.6%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.3% (Illinois: 36.7%)
  • Total population in county: 5,261
  • County seat: Cairo
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 102

Indiana: Crawford

A beautiful sunset of a windmill and barn silhouetted against the evening sky in rural Indiana USA, North America
Source: DnDavis / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $46,706 (Indiana: $67,173)
  • Poverty rate: 21.9% (Indiana: 12.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.5% (Indiana: 3.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.2% (Indiana: 28.2%)
  • Total population in county: 10,511
  • County seat: English
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 92

Iowa: Appanoose

Source: AriasPhotos / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $50,684 (Iowa: $70,571)
  • Poverty rate: 17.3% (Iowa: 11.1%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 2.9% (Iowa: 2.7%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.8% (Iowa: 30.3%)
  • Total population in county: 12,279
  • County seat: Centerville
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 99

Kansas: Graham

Source: Public Domain . Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $47,071 (Kansas: $69,747)
  • Poverty rate: 9.9% (Kansas: 11.6%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 2.4% (Kansas: 2.7%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.4% (Kansas: 34.7%)
  • Total population in county: 2,430
  • County seat: Hill City
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 105

Kentucky: Wolfe

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $28,666 (Kentucky: $60,183)
  • Poverty rate: 36.8% (Kentucky: 16.1%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 5.6% (Kentucky: 3.9%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.0% (Kentucky: 26.5%)
  • Total population in county: 6,573
  • County seat: Campton
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 120

Louisiana: East Carroll

Source: nataliemaynor / Flickr
  • Household income (median): $30,856 (Louisiana: $57,852)
  • Poverty rate: 40.3% (Louisiana: 18.7%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 7.9% (Louisiana: 3.7%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.8% (Louisiana: 26.1%)
  • Total population in county: 7,371
  • Parish seat: Lake Providence
  • Parishes and parish equivalents used in the study: 64

Maine: Aroostook

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $50,843 (Maine: $68,251)
  • Poverty rate: 14.9% (Maine: 10.9%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.1% (Maine: 3.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.4% (Maine: 34.1%)
  • Total population in county: 67,237
  • County seat: Houlton
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 16

Maryland: Somerset

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $52,149 (Maryland: $98,461)
  • Poverty rate: 19.8% (Maryland: 9.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.8% (Maryland: 3.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.8% (Maryland: 42.2%)
  • Total population in county: 24,672
  • County seat: Princess Anne
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 24

Massachusetts: Hampden

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $66,619 (Massachusetts: $96,505)
  • Poverty rate: 15.8% (Massachusetts: 9.9%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.9% (Massachusetts: 3.8%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 28.6% (Massachusetts: 45.9%)
  • Total population in county: 464,575
  • County seat: Springfield
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 14

Michigan: Lake

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $45,946 (Michigan: $68,505)
  • Poverty rate: 20.3% (Michigan: 13.1%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 7.1% (Michigan: 4.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.2% (Michigan: 31.1%)
  • Total population in county: 12,285
  • County seat: Baldwin
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 83

Minnesota: Mahnomen

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $52,739 (Minnesota: $84,313)
  • Poverty rate: 20.6% (Minnesota: 9.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.9% (Minnesota: 2.7%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.7% (Minnesota: 38.2%)
  • Total population in county: 5,389
  • County seat: Mahnomen
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 87

Mississippi: Issaquena

Source: Mississippi Department of Archives and History / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $17,900 (Mississippi: $52,985)
  • Poverty rate: 20.6% (Mississippi: 19.2%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 7.3% (Mississippi: 3.9%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.2% (Mississippi: 23.9%)
  • Total population in county: 1,206
  • County seat: Mayersville
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 82

Missouri: Hickory

The boat ramp at Cross Timbers Access (Mo Dept of Conservation) near Hermitage, Hickory County, MO, Missouri, USA, United States allows boats to be launched on the Pomme de Terre River.
Source: Sandra Sapp / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $33,302 (Missouri: $65,920)
  • Poverty rate: 17.6% (Missouri: 12.8%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 2.7% (Missouri: 2.5%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.1% (Missouri: 31.2%)
  • Total population in county: 8,452
  • County seat: Hermitage
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 115

Montana: Glacier

Beautiful Landscape photography of Glacier National Park in Montana USA
Source: Vaclav Sebek / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $41,078 (Montana: $66,341)
  • Poverty rate: 29.4% (Montana: 12.4%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 5.0% (Montana: 2.6%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.5% (Montana: 34.0%)
  • Total population in county: 13,781
  • County seat: Cut Bank
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 56

Nebraska: Hooker

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $43,333 (Nebraska: $71,722)
  • Poverty rate: 8.1% (Nebraska: 10.4%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 2.7% (Nebraska: 2.3%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 27.1% (Nebraska: 33.5%)
  • Total population in county: 659
  • County seat: Mullen
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 93

Nevada: Esmeralda

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $40,694 (Nevada: $71,646)
  • Poverty rate: 16.1% (Nevada: 12.7%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.7% (Nevada: 5.4%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.3% (Nevada: 26.5%)
  • Total population in county: 980
  • County seat: Goldfield
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 17

New Hampshire: Coos

Source: ScottOrr / Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $55,247 (New Hampshire: $90,845)
  • Poverty rate: 11.6% (New Hampshire: 7.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.3% (New Hampshire: 2.5%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.4% (New Hampshire: 39.0%)
  • Total population in county: 31,430
  • County seat: Lancaster
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 10

New Jersey: Cumberland

Ariel view of south New Jersey.
Source: Nick Vendetta / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $62,310 (New Jersey: $97,126)
  • Poverty rate: 15.5% (New Jersey: 9.7%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 5.1% (New Jersey: 3.7%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.3% (New Jersey: 42.3%)
  • Total population in county: 153,588
  • County seat: Bridgeton
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 21

New Mexico: De Baca

Church Rock in Gallup New Mexico - Shallow Depth of Field - Route 66
Source: Neil Lockhart / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $34,702 (New Mexico: $58,722)
  • Poverty rate: 16.3% (New Mexico: 18.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.4% (New Mexico: 4.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.2% (New Mexico: 29.1%)
  • Total population in county: 1,695
  • County seat: Fort Sumner
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 33

New York: Bronx

Aerial view of the Bronx, New York City
Source: TierneyMJ / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $47,036 (New York: $81,386)
  • Poverty rate: 26.9% (New York: 13.6%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 7.8% (New York: 4.3%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.2% (New York: 38.8%)
  • Total population in county: 1,443,229
  • County seat: N/A
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 62

North Carolina: Washington

Source: Indy beetle / Wikimedia Cmmons
  • Household income (median): $38,927 (North Carolina: $66,186)
  • Poverty rate: 21.6% (North Carolina: 13.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 5.1% (North Carolina: 3.7%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.1% (North Carolina: 33.9%)
  • Total population in county: 11,051
  • County seat: Plymouth
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 100

North Dakota: Sioux

Sunrise over Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Source: ZakZeinert / Shutterstock.com
  • Household income (median): $41,201 (North Dakota: $73,959)
  • Poverty rate: 39.7% (North Dakota: 10.8%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 2.6% (North Dakota: 2.1%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.5% (North Dakota: 31.4%)
  • Total population in county: 3,896
  • County seat: Fort Yates
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 53

Ohio: Adams

Source: Corey B. Stevens / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $46,234 (Ohio: $66,990)
  • Poverty rate: 19.6% (Ohio: 13.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 5.4% (Ohio: 4.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.2% (Ohio: 30.4%)
  • Total population in county: 27,509
  • County seat: West Union
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 88

Oklahoma: Pushmataha

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $42,274 (Oklahoma: $61,364)
  • Poverty rate: 21.7% (Oklahoma: 15.2%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.8% (Oklahoma: 3.0%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.0% (Oklahoma: 27.3%)
  • Total population in county: 10,845
  • County seat: Antlers
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 77

Oregon: Harney

  • Household income (median): $45,462 (Oregon: $76,632)
  • Poverty rate: 12.1% (Oregon: 11.9%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.9% (Oregon: 4.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.2% (Oregon: 35.5%)
  • Total population in county: 7,496
  • County seat: Burns
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 36

Pennsylvania: Cameron

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
  • Household income (median): $46,186 (Pennsylvania: $73,170)
  • Poverty rate: 15.0% (Pennsylvania: 11.8%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 5.7% (Pennsylvania: 4.4%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.9% (Pennsylvania: 33.8%)
  • Total population in county: 4,536
  • County seat: Emporium
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 67

Rhode Island: Providence

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $72,579 (Rhode Island: $81,370)
  • Poverty rate: 13.6% (Rhode Island: 11.2%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.5% (Rhode Island: 3.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 31.2% (Rhode Island: 36.3%)
  • Total population in county: 657,984
  • County seat: Providence
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 5

South Carolina: Marlboro

  • Household income (median): $34,275 (South Carolina: $63,623)
  • Poverty rate: 27.8% (South Carolina: 14.4%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 6.5% (South Carolina: 3.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.3% (South Carolina: 30.6%)
  • Total population in county: 26,585
  • County seat: Bennettsville
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 46

South Dakota: Jackson

Source: jmoor17 / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $26,078 (South Dakota: $69,457)
  • Poverty rate: 38.4% (South Dakota: 12.3%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.0% (South Dakota: 2.1%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.6% (South Dakota: 30.4%)
  • Total population in county: 2,838
  • County seat: Kadoka
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 66

Tennessee: Hancock

Source: danlogan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $31,809 (Tennessee: $64,035)
  • Poverty rate: 32.3% (Tennessee: 14.0%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.2% (Tennessee: 3.4%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.9% (Tennessee: 29.7%)
  • Total population in county: 6,726
  • County seat: Sneedville
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 95

Texas: Dimmit

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $27,374 (Texas: $73,035)
  • Poverty rate: 43.6% (Texas: 13.9%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.8% (Texas: 3.9%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.6% (Texas: 32.3%)
  • Total population in county: 8,672
  • County seat: Carrizo Springs
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 253

Utah: Piute

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $33,359 (Utah: $86,833)
  • Poverty rate: 20.9% (Utah: 8.5%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.1% (Utah: 2.3%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.6% (Utah: 36.1%)
  • Total population in county: 1,764
  • County seat: Junction
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 29

Vermont: Essex

  • Household income (median): $55,247 (Vermont: $74,014)
  • Poverty rate: 13.2% (Vermont: 10.4%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.0% (Vermont: 2.6%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.2% (Vermont: 41.7%)
  • Total population in county: 5,976
  • County seat: Guildhall
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 14

Virginia: Norton

  • Household income (median): $36,974 (Virginia: $87,249)
  • Poverty rate: 29.1% (Virginia: 10.0%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.8% (Virginia: 2.9%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.4% (Virginia: 41.0%)
  • Total population in county: 3,668
  • County seat: N/A
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 133

Washington: Whitman

Source: redfishweb / iStock via Getty Images
  • Household income (median): $49,345 (Washington: $90,325)
  • Poverty rate: 23.9% (Washington: 9.9%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 4.7% (Washington: 4.2%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 50.9% (Washington: 38.0%)
  • Total population in county: 47,141
  • County seat: Colfax
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 39

West Virginia: McDowell

  • Household income (median): $28,235 (West Virginia: $55,217)
  • Poverty rate: 33.3% (West Virginia: 16.8%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 6.3% (West Virginia: 3.9%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.6% (West Virginia: 22.7%)
  • Total population in county: 18,911
  • County seat: Welch
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 55

Wisconsin: Langlade

  • Household income (median): $55,091 (Wisconsin: $72,458)
  • Poverty rate: 12.2% (Wisconsin: 10.7%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 3.6% (Wisconsin: 2.9%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.8% (Wisconsin: 32.0%)
  • Total population in county: 19,512
  • County seat: Antigo
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 72

Wyoming: Niobrara

  • Household income (median): $54,375 (Wyoming: $72,495)
  • Poverty rate: 18.3% (Wyoming: 10.7%)
  • Rate of Unemployment, 2022: 2.9% (Wyoming: 3.6%)
  • % Adults with bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.0% (Wyoming: 29.0%)
  • Total population in county: 2,460
  • County seat: Lusk
  • Counties and county equivalents used in the study: 23

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