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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania, 11.8% 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 Pennsylvania 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 20.8% to 35.9%, and in each of these places, the typical household earns less than the statewide median household income of $73,170.
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 5.4% jobless rate across Pennsylvania.
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 nearly every town on this list, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree is below the 33.8% statewide bachelor’s degree attainment rate.
Why It Matters
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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. Pottsville
Source: jasonparis / Flickr
- Poverty rate: 20.8%
- Median household income: $46,081
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.5%
- Population: 13,386
34. Collingdale
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 21.5%
- Median household income: $49,819
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.7%
- Population: 8,865
33. Butler
Source: Sabrina Gordon / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 21.7%
- Median household income: $39,546
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 9.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.3%
- Population: 13,387
32. Wilkes-Barre
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 21.7%
- Median household income: $46,597
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.6%
- Population: 44,123
31. Wilkinsburg
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 23.0%
- Median household income: $46,013
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 38.1%
- Population: 14,340
30. Clairton
- Poverty rate: 23.1%
- Median household income: $41,301
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.6%
- Population: 6,182
29. Lebanon
Source: SEASTOCK / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 23.3%
- Median household income: $47,160
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.5%
- Population: 26,679
28. Tamaqua
Source: Hshuvaeva / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 23.5%
- Median household income: $48,920
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.7%
- Population: 6,911
27. Aliquippa
- Poverty rate: 23.5%
- Median household income: $42,601
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.2%
- Population: 9,198
26. Titusville
Source: Althom / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 23.7%
- Median household income: $36,071
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.0%
- Population: 5,262
25. Carbondale
Source: NSA Digital Archive / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 24.1%
- Median household income: $52,681
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.8%
- Population: 8,818
24. Jeannette
Source: Canadian2006 / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 24.3%
- Median household income: $47,801
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.8%
- Population: 8,790
23. Coatesville
Source: gsheldon / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 24.3%
- Median household income: $55,989
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.3%
- Population: 13,316
22. York
- Poverty rate: 24.5%
- Median household income: $42,351
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.0%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.1%
- Population: 44,782
21. Lock Haven
Source: GalaMoruu / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.1%
- Median household income: $42,930
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.8%
- Population: 8,422
20. Williamsport
- Poverty rate: 25.4%
- Median household income: $48,388
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 26.9%
- Population: 27,755
19. Corry
Source: Doug Kerr / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.5%
- Median household income: $44,138
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 20.8%
- Population: 6,209
18. Hazleton
Source: 2021 Getty Images / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 25.7%
- Median household income: $39,362
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.2%
- Population: 29,671
17. Duquesne
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 25.8%
- Median household income: $40,969
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.6%
- Population: 5,241
16. West Hazleton
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 26.3%
- Median household income: $46,856
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.2%
- Population: 5,130
15. New Castle
Source: Murat Tanyel / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 26.4%
- Median household income: $39,948
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 15.6%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.5%
- Population: 21,863
14. Beaver Falls
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 26.8%
- Median household income: $39,194
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.0%
- Population: 8,934
13. Sharon Hill
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 26.8%
- Median household income: $66,378
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 17.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 26.6%
- Population: 5,976
12. Vandergrift
- Poverty rate: 27.3%
- Median household income: $47,530
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 10.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.6%
- Population: 5,051
11. Pittston
Source: Jonathan Novack / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 27.7%
- Median household income: $44,863
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 6.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.7%
- Population: 7,601
10. Uniontown
Source: halbergman / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 27.7%
- Median household income: $37,886
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 19.4%
- Population: 9,913
9. Turtle Creek
Source: Rcsprinter123 / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 27.9%
- Median household income: $42,344
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 14.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.2%
- Population: 5,087
8. Chester
Source: BrianEKushner / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 28.3%
- Median household income: $39,193
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 15.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.6%
- Population: 33,048
7. Bradford
Source: weaver1234 / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 28.3%
- Median household income: $47,917
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 5.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.6%
- Population: 7,847
6. McKeesport
- Poverty rate: 28.9%
- Median household income: $31,635
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.8%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.3%
- Population: 17,749
5. Lewistown
Source: White Feather Safari Inspecting / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 31.1%
- Median household income: $36,166
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.3%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.7%
- Population: 8,522
4. McKees Rocks
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Poverty rate: 32.6%
- Median household income: $33,958
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 15.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.4%
- Population: 5,893
3. Johnstown
Source: WilliamSherman / iStock via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 32.9%
- Median household income: $33,466
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 7.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.8%
- Population: 18,429
2. Darby
Source: Jupiterimages / Stockbyte via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 33.8%
- Median household income: $45,511
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 13.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.2%
- Population: 10,682
1. Shamokin
Source: Steve Cicero / Corbis Documentary via Getty Images
- Poverty rate: 35.9%
- Median household income: $32,753
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 8.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.1%
- Population: 6,915
| Rank | Place | Poverty rate (%) | Median household income ($) | Unemployment rate (%) | Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (%) | Total population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shamokin, Pennsylvania | 35.9 | 32,753 | 8.7 | 14.1 | 6,915 |
| 2 | Darby, Pennsylvania | 33.8 | 45,511 | 13.9 | 17.2 | 10,682 |
| 3 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | 32.9 | 33,466 | 7.1 | 13.8 | 18,429 |
| 4 | McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania | 32.6 | 33,958 | 15.5 | 18.4 | 5,893 |
| 5 | Lewistown, Pennsylvania | 31.1 | 36,166 | 7.3 | 11.7 | 8,522 |
| 6 | McKeesport, Pennsylvania | 28.9 | 31,635 | 7.8 | 13.3 | 17,749 |
| 7 | Bradford, Pennsylvania | 28.3 | 47,917 | 5.3 | 18.6 | 7,847 |
| 8 | Chester, Pennsylvania | 28.3 | 39,193 | 15.9 | 13.6 | 33,048 |
| 9 | Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania | 27.9 | 42,344 | 14.5 | 12.2 | 5,087 |
| 10 | Uniontown, Pennsylvania | 27.7 | 37,886 | 12.7 | 19.4 | 9,913 |
| 11 | Pittston, Pennsylvania | 27.7 | 44,863 | 6.8 | 19.7 | 7,601 |
| 12 | Vandergrift, Pennsylvania | 27.3 | 47,530 | 10.2 | 16.6 | 5,051 |
| 13 | Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania | 26.8 | 66,378 | 17.7 | 26.6 | 5,976 |
| 14 | Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania | 26.8 | 39,194 | 11.5 | 18.0 | 8,934 |
| 15 | New Castle, Pennsylvania | 26.4 | 39,948 | 15.6 | 16.5 | 21,863 |
| 16 | West Hazleton, Pennsylvania | 26.3 | 46,856 | 5.6 | 17.2 | 5,130 |
| 17 | Duquesne, Pennsylvania | 25.8 | 40,969 | 7.8 | 10.6 | 5,241 |
| 18 | Hazleton, Pennsylvania | 25.7 | 39,362 | 6.9 | 11.2 | 29,671 |
| 19 | Corry, Pennsylvania | 25.5 | 44,138 | 10.5 | 20.8 | 6,209 |
| 20 | Williamsport, Pennsylvania | 25.4 | 48,388 | 6.5 | 26.9 | 27,755 |
| 21 | Lock Haven, Pennsylvania | 25.1 | 42,930 | 7.3 | 22.8 | 8,422 |
| 22 | York, Pennsylvania | 24.5 | 42,351 | 12.0 | 16.1 | 44,782 |
| 23 | Coatesville, Pennsylvania | 24.3 | 55,989 | 8.3 | 15.3 | 13,316 |
| 24 | Jeannette, Pennsylvania | 24.3 | 47,801 | 7.9 | 18.8 | 8,790 |
| 25 | Carbondale, Pennsylvania | 24.1 | 52,681 | 6.5 | 18.8 | 8,818 |
| 26 | Titusville, Pennsylvania | 23.7 | 36,071 | 7.7 | 17.0 | 5,262 |
| 27 | Aliquippa, Pennsylvania | 23.5 | 42,601 | 8.4 | 19.2 | 9,198 |
| 28 | Tamaqua, Pennsylvania | 23.5 | 48,920 | 5.3 | 13.7 | 6,911 |
| 29 | Lebanon, Pennsylvania | 23.3 | 47,160 | 10.0 | 12.5 | 26,679 |
| 30 | Clairton, Pennsylvania | 23.1 | 41,301 | 10.6 | 19.6 | 6,182 |
| 31 | Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania | 23.0 | 46,013 | 8.5 | 38.1 | 14,340 |
| 32 | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania | 21.7 | 46,597 | 8.4 | 18.6 | 44,123 |
| 33 | Butler, Pennsylvania | 21.7 | 39,546 | 9.4 | 22.3 | 13,387 |
| 34 | Collingdale, Pennsylvania | 21.5 | 49,819 | 8.6 | 13.7 | 8,865 |
| 35 | Pottsville, Pennsylvania | 20.8 | 46,081 | 9.5 | 19.5 | 13,386 |
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