More than 60 years have passed since President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty, and yet, poverty remains endemic in the United States. In any given year over the last three decades, anywhere from 31.6 million to 48.8 million Americans were living below the poverty line. Over that period, the annual U.S. poverty rate climbed as high as 15.9%, and never fell below 11.3%.
The effects of poverty extend far beyond economics. According to the latest Pulse Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau, 38% of American adults earning less than $25,000 reported feeling depressed or hopeless on most days, compared to 17% of all adults. Additionally, 27% of adults in the lowest income bracket reported not having enough to eat within the last week, three times the food insufficiency rate among all adults.
In most of the country, including Florida, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sets the poverty line at an annual income of $15,060 for individuals and $31,200 for a family of four. In Florida, 12.9% of the population live below these thresholds — and in many towns across the state, the poverty rate is far higher.
Using five-year estimates from the Census’ 2022 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the towns in Florida with the highest poverty rates. We considered all places — including cities, towns, and unincorporated communities — with populations between 5,000 and 50,000. Because the presence of colleges and universities can distort economic realities in a given area, places where 20% or more of the population are enrolled in a post-secondary institution were excluded from analysis.
Among the 35 places on this list, poverty rates range from 23.4% to 46.7%, and in each of these places, the typical household earns less than the statewide median household income of $67,917.
Widespread financial hardship in these areas is partially attributable to a lack of economic opportunity. In most places on this list, the five-year average unemployment rate is higher than the comparable 5.0% jobless rate across Florida.
Incomes and job security tend to rise with educational attainment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the typical worker with a bachelor’s degree earns 66% more than those with no more than a high school diploma. Additionally, workers with only a high school education are far more likely to be unemployed than college graduates. In every town on this list, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is below the 32.3% statewide bachelor’s degree attainment rate.
Why It Matters
Source: addkm / Shutterstock.com
The United States is, in many ways, the center of gravity of the global economy. The U.S. dollar has been the world’s leading reserve currency since the end of World War II, and American gross domestic product accounts for over a quarter of economic activity worldwide. Despite these advantages, more than one in every 10 Americans have been living below the poverty line for decades. For those facing serious financial hardship, the effects are far reaching. Poverty can negatively impact mental health, social relationships, and life expectancy.
35. Warrington
Source: DemocraticLuntz / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 23.4%
- Median household income: $51,016
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.9%
- Population: 16,567
34. Immokalee
Source: Montes-Bradley / E+ via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 23.8%
- Median household income: $46,700
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.3%
- Population: 27,753
33. Mango
Source: Piperpet / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 23.8%
- Median household income: $43,571
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.8%
- Population: 12,400
32. Lauderdale Lakes
Source: JillianCain / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 23.9%
- Median household income: $41,644
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.2%
- Population: 35,914
31. Westview
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.0%
- Median household income: $44,538
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.2%
- Population: 10,992
30. West Pensacola
Source: Rustydoggs / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.3%
- Median household income: $38,263
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.7%
- Population: 21,246
29. Dundee
Source: DanTD / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.3%
- Median household income: $44,936
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 0.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.8%
- Population: 5,373
28. Southeast Arcadia
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.5%
- Median household income: $44,659
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 15.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 3.2%
- Population: 7,675
27. Indian River Estates
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.7%
- Median household income: $47,023
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.7%
- Population: 6,965
26. Pembroke Park
Source: Holly Guerrio / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 25.9%
- Median household income: $41,875
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.0%
- Population: 6,266
25. Westgate
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 26.6%
- Median household income: $42,449
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.9%
- Population: 8,340
24. Oak Ridge
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 27.2%
- Median household income: $50,322
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.8%
- Population: 24,476
23. Inwood
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 27.3%
- Median household income: $34,815
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.6%
- Population: 7,054
22. Fort Pierce North
Source: Richard Wood / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 27.6%
- Median household income: $31,458
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.9%
- Population: 6,519
21. Opa-locka
Source: Tamanoeconomico / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 28.0%
- Median household income: $30,101
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 7.6%
- Population: 16,230
20. Sebring
- Poverty rate: 28.6%
- Median household income: $38,024
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.3%
- Population: 11,006
19. Palatka
- Poverty rate: 29.0%
- Median household income: $30,945
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.0%
- Population: 10,471
18. Fort Pierce
Source: GabrielPevide / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 29.0%
- Median household income: $45,121
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.1%
- Population: 47,153
17. Wimauma
Source: Tamanoeconomico / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 29.5%
- Median household income: $56,321
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 2.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.6%
- Population: 12,439
16. Orlovista
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 29.7%
- Median household income: $43,333
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.4%
- Population: 6,661
15. Brownsville
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 29.7%
- Median household income: $34,779
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.3%
- Population: 17,817
14. Starke
Source: Chris Livingston / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 31.7%
- Median household income: $42,976
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 3.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.0%
- Population: 5,756
13. Pahokee
Source: Mr_Angler / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 31.8%
- Median household income: $36,289
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 23.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.8%
- Population: 5,548
12. Gladeview
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 32.3%
- Median household income: $42,490
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.0%
- Population: 14,698
11. Belle Glade
Source: Blueeagle55 / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 32.5%
- Median household income: $42,314
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.4%
- Population: 16,896
10. Florida City
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 32.6%
- Median household income: $44,774
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.6%
- Population: 12,841
9. Willow Oak
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 32.7%
- Median household income: $50,108
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 4.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.8%
- Population: 6,885
8. Indiantown
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 32.7%
- Median household income: $47,627
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 3.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.4%
- Population: 6,624
7. Naranja
Source: Arkyan / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 33.6%
- Median household income: $46,045
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.5%
- Population: 13,261
6. Marianna
Source: Jens_Lambert_Photography / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 33.6%
- Median household income: $27,296
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.8%
- Population: 6,681
5. South Apopka
Source: Holcy / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 34.4%
- Median household income: $44,056
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.6%
- Population: 7,653
4. Arcadia
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 35.2%
- Median household income: $34,598
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.9%
- Population: 7,480
3. Crystal Lake
Source: DanTD / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 36.4%
- Median household income: $45,166
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.0%
- Population: 6,048
2. Cocoa West
Source: Gerardo Mora / Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 37.9%
- Median household income: $31,266
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 1.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.9%
- Population: 5,727
1. Quincy
Source: Michael Rivera / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 46.7%
- Median household income: $33,786
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 3.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.5%
- Population: 7,811
| Rank | Place | Poverty rate (%) | Median household income ($) | Unemployment rate (%) | Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (%) | Total population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quincy, Florida | 46.7 | 33,786 | 3.6 | 16.5 | 7,811 |
| 2 | Cocoa West, Florida | 37.9 | 31,266 | 1.9 | 10.9 | 5,727 |
| 3 | Crystal Lake, Florida | 36.4 | 45,166 | 7.4 | 13.0 | 6,048 |
| 4 | Arcadia, Florida | 35.2 | 34,598 | 8.3 | 14.9 | 7,480 |
| 5 | South Apopka, Florida | 34.4 | 44,056 | 5.4 | 17.6 | 7,653 |
| 6 | Marianna, Florida | 33.6 | 27,296 | 5.2 | 12.8 | 6,681 |
| 7 | Naranja, Florida | 33.6 | 46,045 | 10.2 | 18.5 | 13,261 |
| 8 | Indiantown, Florida | 32.7 | 47,627 | 3.2 | 6.4 | 6,624 |
| 9 | Willow Oak, Florida | 32.7 | 50,108 | 4.3 | 12.8 | 6,885 |
| 10 | Florida City, Florida | 32.6 | 44,774 | 8.8 | 6.6 | 12,841 |
| 11 | Belle Glade, Florida | 32.5 | 42,314 | 12.5 | 13.4 | 16,896 |
| 12 | Gladeview, Florida | 32.3 | 42,490 | 6.7 | 16.0 | 14,698 |
| 13 | Pahokee, Florida | 31.8 | 36,289 | 23.0 | 16.8 | 5,548 |
| 14 | Starke, Florida | 31.7 | 42,976 | 3.9 | 12.0 | 5,756 |
| 15 | Brownsville, Florida | 29.7 | 34,779 | 7.5 | 14.3 | 17,817 |
| 16 | Orlovista, Florida | 29.7 | 43,333 | 12.3 | 13.4 | 6,661 |
| 17 | Wimauma, Florida | 29.5 | 56,321 | 2.8 | 17.6 | 12,439 |
| 18 | Fort Pierce, Florida | 29.0 | 45,121 | 10.4 | 20.1 | 47,153 |
| 19 | Palatka, Florida | 29.0 | 30,945 | 10.1 | 12.0 | 10,471 |
| 20 | Sebring, Florida | 28.6 | 38,024 | 12.7 | 16.3 | 11,006 |
| 21 | Opa-locka, Florida | 28.0 | 30,101 | 5.2 | 7.6 | 16,230 |
| 22 | Fort Pierce North, Florida | 27.6 | 31,458 | 5.2 | 12.9 | 6,519 |
| 23 | Inwood, Florida | 27.3 | 34,815 | 7.0 | 7.6 | 7,054 |
| 24 | Oak Ridge, Florida | 27.2 | 50,322 | 6.2 | 13.8 | 24,476 |
| 25 | Westgate, Florida | 26.6 | 42,449 | 8.6 | 5.9 | 8,340 |
| 26 | Pembroke Park, Florida | 25.9 | 41,875 | 6.8 | 20.0 | 6,266 |
| 27 | Indian River Estates, Florida | 25.7 | 47,023 | 4.7 | 21.7 | 6,965 |
| 28 | Southeast Arcadia, Florida | 25.5 | 44,659 | 15.0 | 3.2 | 7,675 |
| 29 | Dundee, Florida | 25.3 | 44,936 | 0.2 | 5.8 | 5,373 |
| 30 | West Pensacola, Florida | 25.3 | 38,263 | 6.8 | 13.7 | 21,246 |
| 31 | Westview, Florida | 25.0 | 44,538 | 2.0 | 16.2 | 10,992 |
| 32 | Lauderdale Lakes, Florida | 23.9 | 41,644 | 9.0 | 15.2 | 35,914 |
| 33 | Mango, Florida | 23.8 | 43,571 | 5.3 | 12.8 | 12,400 |
| 34 | Immokalee, Florida | 23.8 | 46,700 | 5.8 | 6.3 | 27,753 |
| 35 | Warrington, Florida | 23.4 | 51,016 | 7.4 | 24.9 | 16,567 |
Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)
Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?
Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Editors' Picks
