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, as the United States has one of the worst child poverty rates among wealthy, developed countries. Nearly 12.6 million Americans under age 18 live in households with poverty level income.
Not only are children at higher risk of poverty, but they are also especially vulnerable to poverty’s harmful effects, both in the immediate and long-term.Â
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 be successful academically, or, later in life, economically.Â
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 50Â ZIP codes with the highest child poverty rates.Â
Among the places on this list, child poverty rates range from 67.3% to nearly 90%. These places span the country, though Ohio is home to nine, the most of any state, including three in Cincinnati alone . Here is a look at the income a family needs to cover normal living expenses in every state.Â
Children raised in mother-only households are far more likely to live in poverty than those in two-adult households, and in nearly every ZIP code on this list, the share of households with children headed by single mothers exceeds the 11.7% share nationwide. Additionally, in every ZIP on this list, families are more likely to depend on government assistance to afford basic necessities. In each of these 50 ZIP codes, the share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits, or food stamps, exceeds the 18.2% national share. Here is a look at the cities with the most people on food stamps. Â
Click here to see the ZIP codes with the highest child poverty ratesÂ
Click here to read our detailed methodology
50. 40823
> Location: Cumberland, Kentucky
> Child poverty rate: 67.3%
> Median family income, households with children: $31,379 — 621st lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 51.5% — 461st highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 14.0% — 4,585th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: via Facebook / courtesy of City Of Joaquin
49. 75954
> Location: Joaquin, Texas
> Child poverty rate: 67.3%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 44.4% — 920th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 6.3% — 4,006th lowest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
48. 46402
> Location: Gary, Indiana
> Child poverty rate: 67.3%
> Median family income, households with children: $28,325 — 395th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 61.3% — 138th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 47.4% — 37th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: via Facebook / courtesy of Teachey, NC
47. 28464
> Location: Teachey, North Carolina
> Child poverty rate: 67.4%
> Median family income, households with children: $24,464 — 201st lowest of 16,671 zip codes (tied)
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 63.4% — 108th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 26.0% — 781st highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
46. 24016
> Location: Roanoke, Virginia
> Child poverty rate: 67.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $33,348 — 816th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 55.7% — 287th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 23.9% — 1,034th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images
45. 70346
> Location: Donaldsonville, Louisiana
> Child poverty rate: 67.7%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 38.5% — 1,530th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 29.6% — 493rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
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44. 15901
> Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
> Child poverty rate: 67.9%
> Median family income, households with children: $29,000 — 439th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 59.5% — 172nd highest of 16,924 zip codes (tied)
> Households headed by single mothers: 24.6% — 941st highest of 16,924 zip codes
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43. 97463
> Location: Oakridge, Oregon
> Child poverty rate: 67.9%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 53.3% — 371st highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 23.7% — 1,084th highest of 16,924 zip codes
42. 85911
> Location: Cibecue, Arizona
> Child poverty rate: 68.0%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 69.5% — 42nd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 26.5% — 724th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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41. 24281
> Location: Rose Hill (Lee County), Virginia
> Child poverty rate: 68.0%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 37.0% — 1,750th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 3.3% — 990th lowest of 16,924 zip codes
40. 35178
> Location: Vincent, Alabama
> Child poverty rate: 68.4%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 40.0% — 1,356th highest of 16,924 zip codes (tied)
> Households headed by single mothers: 19.8% — 1,867th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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39. 14608
> Location: Rochester, New York
> Child poverty rate: 68.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $18,912 — 54th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 69.7% — 40th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 33.7% — 288th highest of 16,924 zip codes
38. 71068
> Location: Ringgold, Louisiana
> Child poverty rate: 68.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $13,750 — 15th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 63.1% — 110th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 22.7% — 1,223rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
37. 44509
> Location: Youngstown, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 68.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $16,218 — 28th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 71.8% — 36th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 36.6% — 170th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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36. 79901
> Location: El Paso, Texas
> Child poverty rate: 68.9%
> Median family income, households with children: $18,115 — 47th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 69.1% — 48th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 24.6% — 934th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
35. 30901
> Location: Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia
> Child poverty rate: 69.8%
> Median family income, households with children: $16,939 — 37th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 61.4% — 134th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 32.8% — 329th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
34. 43608
> Location: Toledo, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 70.0%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 63.9% — 105th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 39.9% — 93rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
33. 45203
> Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 70.0%
> Median family income, households with children: $18,009 — 46th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 74.0% — 24th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 45.3% — 45th highest of 16,924 zip codes
32. 44507
> Location: Youngstown, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 70.0%
> Median family income, households with children: $20,212 — 80th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 59.8% — 163rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 41.1% — 77th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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31. 86556
> Location: Tsaile, Arizona
> Child poverty rate: 70.1%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 63.9% — 104th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 43.1% — 59th highest of 16,924 zip codes
30. 86507
> Location: Lukachukai, Arizona
> Child poverty rate: 70.4%
> Median family income, households with children: $16,875 — 36th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 62.0% — 124th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 14.4% — 4,303rd highest of 16,924 zip codes (tied)
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29. 71254
> Location: Lake Providence, Louisiana
> Child poverty rate: 70.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $25,714 — 263rd lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 53.5% — 361st highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 28.2% — 566th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: Maxine Weiss / iStock via Getty Images
28. 79855
> Location: Van Horn, Texas
> Child poverty rate: 70.9%
> Median family income, households with children: $27,297 — 342nd lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 47.0% — 700th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 27.3% — 641st highest of 16,924 zip codes
27. 30456
> Location: Sardis, Georgia
> Child poverty rate: 71.3%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 56.4% — 266th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 24.0% — 1,024th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: via Facebook / courtesy of Town of Marion, La
26. 71260
> Location: Marion, Louisiana
> Child poverty rate: 71.4%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 61.8% — 126th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 12.2% — 5,935th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
25. 62201
> Location: East St. Louis, Illinois
> Child poverty rate: 71.5%
> Median family income, households with children: $17,596 — 44th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 72.1% — 34th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 51.5% — 18th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images
24. 14201
> Location: Buffalo, New York
> Child poverty rate: 71.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $19,898 — 71st lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 59.1% — 186th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 35.6% — 206th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: iStock / Getty Images
23. 78576
> Location: Penitas, Texas
> Child poverty rate: 72.7%
> Median family income, households with children: $25,490 — 245th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 56.8% — 248th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 49.6% — 24th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: DebraMillet / iStock via Getty Images
22. 13202
> Location: Syracuse, New York
> Child poverty rate: 73.7%
> Median family income, households with children: $14,125 — 16th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 76.0% — 13th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 49.0% — 26th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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21. 39364
> Location: Toomsuba, Mississippi
> Child poverty rate: 74.1%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 72.7% — 29th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 17.4% — 2,679th highest of 16,924 zip codes
20. 65769
> Location: Verona, Missouri
> Child poverty rate: 74.3%
> Median family income, households with children: $31,199 — 608th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 31.6% — 2,755th highest of 16,924 zip codes (tied)
> Households headed by single mothers: 15.7% — 3,471st highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: tomofbluesprings / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
19. 64106
> Location: Kansas City, Missouri
> Child poverty rate: 75.0%
> Median family income, households with children: $25,173 — 236th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 57.4% — 223rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 40.4% — 89th highest of 16,924 zip codes
18. 45204
> Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 75.2%
> Median family income, households with children: $21,402 — 101st lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 37.2% — 1,715th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 37.5% — 152nd highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
17. 25524
> Location: Harts, West Virginia
> Child poverty rate: 75.4%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 65.0% — 93rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 12.9% — 5,356th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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16. 38762
> Location: Mound Bayou, Mississippi
> Child poverty rate: 75.5%
> Median family income, households with children: $26,618 — 299th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 74.2% — 23rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 40.7% — 83rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: Michael Warren / iStock via Getty Images
15. 34475
> Location: Ocala, Florida
> Child poverty rate: 75.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $16,158 — 27th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 75.5% — 15th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 31.8% — 370th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
14. 44104
> Location: Cleveland, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 76.2%
> Median family income, households with children: $12,862 — 10th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 77.8% — 8th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 56.4% — 9th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
13. 76704
> Location: Waco, Texas
> Child poverty rate: 76.6%
> Median family income, households with children: $15,422 — 23rd lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 70.5% — 39th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 56.5% — 8th highest of 16,924 zip codes
12. 36786
> Location: Uniontown, Alabama
> Child poverty rate: 77.1%
> Median family income, households with children: $21,067 — 90th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 67.3% — 66th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 33.7% — 289th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
11. 71202
> Location: Monroe, Louisiana
> Child poverty rate: 77.7%
> Median family income, households with children: $16,145 — 26th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 68.6% — 53rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 41.6% — 73rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: Michael Dean Shelton / iStock via Getty Images
10. 72114
> Location: North Little Rock, Arkansas
> Child poverty rate: 78.2%
> Median family income, households with children: $13,510 — 14th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 59.2% — 180th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 38.2% — 134th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
9. 45225
> Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 78.9%
> Median family income, households with children: $10,455 — 3rd lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 68.8% — 52nd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 64.4% — 2nd highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
8. 01608
> Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
> Child poverty rate: 81.7%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 76.8% — 10th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 52.4% — 16th highest of 16,924 zip codes
7. 57570
> Location: Rosebud, South Dakota
> Child poverty rate: 81.7%
> Median family income, households with children: $14,464 — 18th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 56.4% — 269th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 60.3% — 5th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
6. 53233
> Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
> Child poverty rate: 82.0%
> Median family income, households with children: $12,232 — 9th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 76.6% — 11th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 46.9% — 39th highest of 16,924 zip codes
Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images
5. 43604
> Location: Toledo, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 82.4%
> Median family income, households with children: $11,161 — 5th lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 74.6% — 19th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 58.9% — 6th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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Source: knowlesgallery / iStock via Getty Images
4. 37915
> Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
> Child poverty rate: 82.9%
> Median family income, households with children: N/A
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 68.1% — 59th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 48.7% — 27th highest of 16,924 zip codes
3. 79845
> Location: Presidio, Texas
> Child poverty rate: 83.5%
> Median family income, households with children: $15,262 — 21st lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 61.2% — 141st highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 17.5% — 2,637th highest of 16,924 zip codes
2. 38126
> Location: Memphis, Tennessee
> Child poverty rate: 84.3%
> Median family income, households with children: $15,354 — 22nd lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 55.1% — 305th highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 54.8% — 13th highest of 16,924 zip codes
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1. 44115
> Location: Cleveland, Ohio
> Child poverty rate: 87.0%
> Median family income, households with children: $7,725 — 2nd lowest of 16,671 zip codes
> Share of households with children receiving SNAP benefits: 85.2% — 2nd highest of 16,924 zip codes
> Households headed by single mothers: 64.3% — 3rd highest of 16,924 zip codes
MethodologyÂ
To determine the ZIP codes where the most children live in poverty, 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.
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