These Are America's Poorest Cities: Will It Get Worse Before It Gets Better?

American is home to a vast territory, and the income of its citizens covers a wide range from extreme poverty to opulent wealth.

But what areas of the country are the most impoverished?

Using the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey metro area-level data on median household income, additional income, and population data, 24/7 Wall St. identified the poorest city in every state.

Let’s take a closer look.

Why Does This Matter?

Poverty is important to discuss because it is ever-present and not going away. The consequences yield health risks, social risks, and human rights violations for those living in it. The harm it inflicts on children follows them through life and can continue the cycle as they reach adulthood.

Here is the poorest city in every state:

Alabama: Anniston-Oxford

Household income (median): $59,674 – the lowest of 12 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $59,674 – #44 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 20,450 (18.3% – #46 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,151 (9.1% – #20 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 115,788

Alaska: Fairbanks

view of downtown fairbanks alaska across frozen chena river on clear winter morning

Household income (median): $88,121 – the lowest of 2 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $88,121 – #11 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 6,528 (7.1% – #379 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,462 (3.9% – #340 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 95,356

Arizona: Yuma

Above Yuma, Arizona looking along the Colorado River, Interstate 8 and the borders of Arizona, California and Mexico.

Household income (median): $74,568 – the lowest of 7 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $74,568 – #19 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 26,544 (13.2% – #186 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,044 (5.0% – #241 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 207,842

Arkansas: Pine Bluff

Household income (median): $55,432 – the lowest of 6 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $55,432 – #47 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 14,580 (19.5% – #24 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,595 (8.5% – #32 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 84,460

California: El Centro

Aerial View of Downtown El Centro, California in the Imperial Valley

Household income (median): $91,551 – the lowest of 26 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $91,551 – #5 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 38,933 (22.6% – #7 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,944 (9.7% – #13 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 178,713

Colorado: Pueblo

Household income (median): $89,302 – the lowest of 7 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $89,302 – #8 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 24,389 (14.8% – #130 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,485 (6.6% – #101 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 169,544

Connecticut: New Haven-Milford

Milford, town in Connecticut. View of white church and waterfall surrounded by trees

Household income (median): $88,429 – the lowest of 4 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $88,429 – #10 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 87,834 (10.5% – #303 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 18,942 (5.5% – #187 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 870,163

Delaware: Dover

Household income (median): $82,174 (only metro area in the state, lowest by default)
Statewide median household income: $82,174 – #14 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 17,094 (9.4% – #336 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,854 (3.9% – #342 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 186,946

Florida: Homosassa Springs

Household income (median): $69,303 – the lowest of 22 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $69,303 – #33 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 29,597 (18.5% – #42 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,327 (6.1% – #142 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 162,529

Georgia: Albany

River Intersection Drone Shot Albany South Georgia Flint River

Household income (median): $72,837 – the lowest of 14 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $72,837 – #21 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 37,026 (26.2% – #2 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 5,264 (9.1% – #18 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 146,387

Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina

Household income (median): $92,458 – the lowest of 2 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $92,458 – #4 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 13,326 (8.2% – #366 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,812 (3.2% – #371 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 164,365

Idaho: Pocatello

Pocatello Idaho LDS Mormon Latter-day Saint Temple with sky clouds flowers and trees

Household income (median): $72,785 – the lowest of 6 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $72,785 – #22 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 12,684 (13.2% – #181 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,822 (4.9% – #254 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 98,560

Illinois: Danville

Household income (median): $76,708 – the lowest of 10 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $76,708 – #17 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 11,640 (16.8% – #78 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,999 (6.5% – #116 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 72,337

Indiana: Muncie

Household income (median): $66,785 – the lowest of 12 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $66,785 – #38 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 19,540 (18.8% – #36 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,774 (7.9% – #42 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 112,031

Iowa: Waterloo-Cedar Falls

Household income (median): $69,588 – the lowest of 8 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $69,588 – #31 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 24,601 (15.3% – #114 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,253 (4.7% – #276 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 167,889

Kansas: Manhattan

Aerial View of a University in Manhattan, Kansas

Household income (median): $68,925 – the lowest of 4 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $68,925 – #34 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 21,286 (17.5% – #60 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,726 (7.2% – #79 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 133,072

Kentucky: Bowling Green

Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States. The Van Meter Hall inside the Western Kentucky University.

Household income (median): $59,341 – the lowest of 5 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $59,341 – #46 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 33,170 (18.5% – #41 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 6,294 (8.7% – #29 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 184,636

Louisiana: Monroe

Household income (median): $55,416 – the lowest of 9 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $55,416 – #48 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 48,925 (24.9% – #3 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 9,265 (11.2% – #2 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 202,869

Maine: Bangor

Boats moored along the Penobscot River in Bangor Maine.

Household income (median): $69,543 – the lowest of the 3 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $69,543 – #32 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 22,358 (15.1% – #122 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,865 (5.9% – #160 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 153,704

Maryland: Cumberland

Household income (median): $94,991 – the lowest of 5 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $94,991 – #2 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 16,587 (18.9% – #33 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,903 (7.9% – #45 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 94,122

Massachusetts: Springfield

Springfield, Massachusetts buildings bridge and water from above

Household income (median): $94,488 – the lowest of 5 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $94,488 – #3 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 103,885 (15.7% – #101 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 19,842 (7.1% – #80 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 694,523

Michigan: Saginaw

Aerial View of Saginaw, Michigan during Summer

Household income (median): $66,986 – the lowest of 14 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $66,986 – #37 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 33,598 (18.4% – #45 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 6,108 (7.7% – #52 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 188,330

Minnesota: Duluth

Household income (median): $82,338 – the lowest of 5 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $82,338 – #13 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 37,601 (13.2% – #179 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 7,974 (6.3% – #121 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 291,931

Mississippi: Hattiesburg

Hattiesburg featuring the Mighty Mississippi, city streets and plantation homes

Household income (median): $52,719 – the lowest of the 3 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $52,719 – #50 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 33,197 (20.0% – #20 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,915 (7.4% – #71 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 172,263

Missouri: Joplin

Household income (median): $64,811 – the lowest of 8 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $64,811 – #41 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 32,842 (18.3% – #47 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,702 (5.2% – #214 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 184,086

Montana: Great Falls

Beautiful view of the Great Falls in Montana in twilight

Household income (median): $67,631 – the lowest of 3 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $67,631 – #35 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 12,275 (14.9% – #126 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,674 (4.7% – #269 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 84,864

Nebraska: Lincoln

Household income (median): $69,597 – the lowest of the 3 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $69,597 – #30 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 41,309 (12.7% – #207 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 7,717 (5.6% – #175 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 341,229

Nevada: Carson City

old vintage wood signboard with text " welcome to Carson City" hanging on a branch

Household income (median): $72,333 – the lowest of the 3 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $72,333 – #23 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 8,438 (15.4% – #109 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,506 (6.5% – #114 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 58,130

New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua

Household income (median): $89,992 (only metro area in the state, lowest by default)
Statewide median household income: $89,992 – #7 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 25,980 (6.2% – #383 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,996 (2.4% – #382 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 426,594

New Jersey: Vineland-Bridgeton

Household income (median): $96,346 – the lowest of 4 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $96,346 – #1 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 22,154 (15.3% – #113 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,512 (4.6% – #287 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 151,356

New Mexico: Farmington

Downtown sunset of Farmington New Mexico

Household income (median): $59,726 – the lowest of 4 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $59,726 – #43 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 28,693 (24.1% – #6 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,752 (9.0% – #23 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 120,418

New York: Elmira

Elmira is a Town in Upstate New York on the Chemung River

Household income (median): $79,557 – the lowest of 13 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $79,557 – #16 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 12,348 (15.8% – #99 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,859 (5.4% – #192 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 81,426

North Carolina: Rocky Mount

Braswell Memorial Library in Rocky Mount NC is a public library.

Household income (median): $67,481 – the lowest of 15 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $67,481 – #36 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 20,187 (14.2% – #151 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,987 (6.8% – #94 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 144,090

North Dakota: Grand Forks

Aerial View of Grand Forks, North Dakota in Autumn

Household income (median): $71,970 – the lowest of the 3 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $71,970 – #25 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 12,127 (12.5% – #217 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,996 (7.0% – #86 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 103,144

Ohio: Mansfield

The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield Ohio is on the register of historical places. Tours operate daily, making it a popular tourist attraction.

Household income (median): $65,720 – the lowest of 11 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $65,720 – #39 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 17,898 (15.2% – #117 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,326 (4.6% – #282 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 125,319

Oklahoma: Enid

Household income (median): $59,673 – the lowest of 4 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $59,673 – #45 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 9,611 (16.1% – #91 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,158 (5.0% – #236 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 61,920

Oregon: Grants Pass

Aerial view of downtown Grants Pass with the Caveman concrete arch bridge and the 7th street bridge crossing the Rogue River

Household income (median): $75,657 – the lowest of 8 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $75,657 – #18 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 16,458 (19.0% – #32 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 3,304 (9.0% – #24 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 87,730

Pennsylvania: Johnstown

A view of Johnstown, PA from atop the Inclined Plane.

Household income (median): $71,798 – the lowest of 18 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $71,798 – #26 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 21,104 (16.8% – #79 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,061 (7.4% – #73 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 131,441

Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick

View of Pawtuext Cove and Village from Salter Grove Memorial Park in Warwick, Rhode Island

Household income (median): $81,854 (only metro area in the state, lowest by default)
Statewide median household income: $81,854 – #15 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 178,889 (11.0% – #272 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 37,768 (5.6% – #177 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 1,673,802

South Carolina: Florence

Household income (median): $64,115 – the lowest of 8 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $64,115 – #42 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 41,125 (21.1% – #12 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 7,216 (9.1% – #21 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 199,119

South Dakota: Rapid City

Panorama of Rapid City, South Dakota, USA

Household income (median): $69,728 – the lowest of 2 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $69,728 – #29 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 17,767 (12.7% – #206 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,751 (4.6% – #285 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 144,890

Tennessee: Kingsport-Bristol

Household income (median): $65,254 – the lowest of 10 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $65,254 – #40 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 44,438 (14.5% – #135 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 7,265 (5.5% – #188 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 310,483

Texas: Texarkana

Household income (median): $72,284 – the lowest of 25 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $72,284 – #24 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 29,830 (21.6% – #10 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 6,031 (10.8% – #5 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 144,322

Utah: St. George

White temple and red rock mountains in St. George, Utah, USA. The white "Mormon" Temple stands out in stark contrast to the beautiful red rock mountains in southern Utah.

Household income (median): $89,168 – the lowest of 5 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $89,168 – #9 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 20,179 (10.3% – #308 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,969 (2.7% – #380 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 197,680

Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington

Burlington, Vermont, USA cityscape at Church Street Marketplace.

Household income (median): $73,991 (only metro area in the state, lowest by default)
Statewide median household income: $73,991 – #20 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 22,814 (10.5% – #301 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,654 (4.8% – #262 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 228,270

Virginia: Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Virginia, USA cityscape at Monument Terrace.

Household income (median): $85,873 – the lowest of 9 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $85,873 – #12 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 32,466 (13.0% – #191 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,757 (4.6% – #280 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 262,458

Washington: Yakima

Household income (median): $91,306 – the lowest of 11 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $91,306 – #6 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 42,108 (16.6% – #82 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,661 (5.3% – #202 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 257,001

West Virginia: Beckley

This is a photo of the Bridge in Beckley West Virginia and the New River Gorge under the bridge.

Household income (median): $54,329 – the lowest of 7 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $54,329 – #49 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 21,439 (19.8% – #21 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 4,452 (10.1% – #9 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 112,369

Wisconsin: Sheboygan

Household income (median): $70,996 – the lowest of 12 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $70,996 – #27 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 11,395 (10.0% – #320 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 2,999 (5.9% – #150 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 117,841

Wyoming: Casper

Aerial View of Downtown Casper, Wyoming at Dusk on Christmas Day

Household income (median): $70,042 – the lowest of 2 metro areas in the state
Statewide median household income: $70,042 – #28 highest of 50 states
Poverty rate of the metro area: 7,047 (9.0% – #347 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Households with an income of under $10,000: 1,031 (3.1% – #373 highest out of 384 U.S. metro areas)
Population: 79,601