Disparities in school spending have been a point of contention in the American public education system for decades. Because public schools typically receive the bulk of their funding from local sources such as property taxes, wealthy districts are often better funded than poorer ones.
While studies have shown that higher per pupil spending can improve student outcomes, there are countless other factors – both inside the classroom and outside of it – that can impact a student’s likelihood of success. One of them is financial security at home.Â
For students from low-income families, setbacks can be more difficult to recover from due to limited supporting resources. A recent report published by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce found that children from well-off families who score poorly on standardized aptitude tests in kindergarten have a 7 in 10 chance of graduating from college and landing a good entry-level job as a young adult. Meanwhile, children from low-income households who score well on the same tests have only a 3 in 10 chance. (Here is a look at the worst school district in each state.)
This study suggests that even if per-pupil spending were equal across the thousands of school districts in the United States, students in low-income areas would still have a considerable disadvantage. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and National Center for Education Statistics, 24/7 Wall St. identified the poorest school districts in each state. School districts are ranked by average household income in the district, and only districts with at least 100 students and income data were considered.
Among the districts on this list, average annual household income ranges from about $28,000 to $67,300. The one exception is Hawaii, where all public schools fall under a single district. In the majority of the school districts on this list, graduation rates are below 90%, and in 15, they are 75% or less.Â
Despite being in lower-income areas with a weaker tax base, most of these schools spend more on a per-pupil basis than the statewide average. This is due in large part to federal and state subsidies, including free lunch programs, that help equalize school funding. Additionally, many of the school districts on this list have a higher concentration of students with specialized needs. For example, in about half of the districts on this list, 20% or more of the students are English language learners or enrolled in an individualized education program. (Here is a look at how much each state spends on its public schools.)
Click here to see the poorest school district in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Source: Courtesy of Perry County Schools via Facebook
Alabama: Perry County Schools
> Avg. household income: $35,819 (Alabama: $71,964)
> District graduation rate: 95%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,175 (Alabama: $10,107)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Alabama: 18:1)
> District location: Perry County
> Total operational school districts in Alabama: 177
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Source: Courtesy of Iditarod Area School District via Facebook
Alaska: Iditarod Area School District
> Avg. household income: $44,607 (Alaska: $98,811)
> District graduation rate: 45%
> Annual per pupil spending: $30,320 (Alaska: $18,393)
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 (Alaska: 17:1)
> District location: Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area
> Total operational school districts in Alaska: 54
Source: Courtesy of Sacaton Elementary District via Facebook
Arizona: Sacaton Elementary District
> Avg. household income: $27,951 (Arizona: $84,380)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $18,050 (Arizona: $8,773)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Arizona: 24:1)
> District location: Pinal County
> Total operational school districts in Arizona: 705
Source: Courtesy of Marked Tree School District via Facebook
Arkansas: Marked Tree School District
> Avg. household income: $39,632 (Arkansas: $69,357)
> District graduation rate: 85%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,789 (Arkansas: $10,412)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Arkansas: 13:1)
> District location: Poinsett County
> Total operational school districts in Arkansas: 294
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
California: Calipatria Unified School District
> Avg. household income: $39,868 (California: $111,622)
> District graduation rate: 92%
> Annual per pupil spending: $15,099 (California: $13,831)
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 (California: 23:1)
> District location: Imperial County
> Total operational school districts in California: 2,170
Source: Courtesy of Rocky Ford School District No. R2 via Facebook
Colorado: Rocky Ford School District No. R2
> Avg. household income: $41,742 (Colorado: $100,933)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,581 (Colorado: $11,072)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Colorado: 17:1)
> District location: Otero County
> Total operational school districts in Colorado: 270
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Source: Courtesy of Hartford School District via Facebook
Connecticut: Hartford School District
> Avg. household income: $52,689 (Connecticut: $115,337)
> District graduation rate: 73%
> Annual per pupil spending: $20,570 (Connecticut: $21,140)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Connecticut: 12:1)
> District location: Hartford County
> Total operational school districts in Connecticut: 204
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Source: Courtesy of Delmar School District via Facebook
Delaware: Delmar School District
> Avg. household income: $67,304 (Delaware: $92,308)
> District graduation rate: 92%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,726 (Delaware: $15,929)
> Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 (Delaware: 14:1)
> District location: Sussex County
> Total operational school districts in Delaware: 46
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
Florida: Washington County School District
> Avg. household income: $48,972 (Florida: $83,104)
> District graduation rate: 80%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,273 (Florida: $9,986)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Florida: 17:1)
> District location: Washington County
> Total operational school districts in Florida: 76
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Georgia: Clay County Schools
> Avg. household income: $37,701 (Georgia: $85,691)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $19,866 (Georgia: $11,203)
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 (Georgia: 15:1)
> District location: Clay County
> Total operational school districts in Georgia: 232
Source: Courtesy of Hawai'i Public Schools via Facebook
Hawaii: Hawaii Department Of Education
> Avg. household income: $103,780 (Hawaii: $107,348)
> District graduation rate: 85%
> Annual per pupil spending: $16,132 (Hawaii: $16,132)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Hawaii: 15:1)
> District location: Statewide
> Total operational school districts in Hawaii: 1
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Source: Courtesy of Challis Jr. Sr. High School via Facebook
Idaho: Challis Joint District
> Avg. household income: $46,403 (Idaho: $77,399)
> District graduation rate: 75%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,193 (Idaho: $8,043)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (Idaho: 19:1)
> District location: Custer County
> Total operational school districts in Idaho: 168
Source: Courtesy of Madison Community Unit School District No. 12 via Facebook
Illinois: Madison Community Unit School District No. 12
> Avg. household income: $36,708 (Illinois: $95,115)
> District graduation rate: 75%
> Annual per pupil spending: $83,114 (Illinois: $16,281)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (Illinois: 15:1)
> District location: Madison County
> Total operational school districts in Illinois: 1,056
Source: Courtesy of Cannelton City Schools via Facebook
Indiana: Cannelton City Schools
> Avg. household income: $38,746 (Indiana: $76,984)
> District graduation rate: 65%
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,502 (Indiana: $10,252)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Indiana: 17:1)
> District location: Perry County
> Total operational school districts in Indiana: 431
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Source: Courtesy of Central Decatur Community School District via Facebook
Iowa: Central Decatur Community School District
> Avg. household income: $52,486 (Iowa: $80,316)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $12,181 (Iowa: $11,933)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Iowa: 14:1)
> District location: Decatur County
> Total operational school districts in Iowa: 339
Source: Courtesy of Galena Unified School District via Facebook
Kansas: Galena Unified School District
> Avg. household income: $46,701 (Kansas: $82,103)
> District graduation rate: 87%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,960 (Kansas: $11,328)
> Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 (Kansas: 14:1)
> District location: Cherokee County
> Total operational school districts in Kansas: 311
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Source: Courtesy of Dawson Springs Independent Schools via Facebook
Kentucky: Dawson Springs Independent Schools
> Avg. household income: $34,705 (Kentucky: $72,318)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,872 (Kentucky: $11,280)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Kentucky: 16:1)
> District location: Hopkins County
> Total operational school districts in Kentucky: 186
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Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images
Louisiana: District level income not available
Maine: Machias Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $38,146 (Maine: $78,301)
> District graduation rate: 75%
> Annual per pupil spending: $12,689 (Maine: $15,686)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Maine: 12:1)
> District location: Washington County
> Total operational school districts in Maine: 276
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Source: Courtesy of Somerset County Public Schools via Facebook
Maryland: Somerset County Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $55,239 (Maryland: $114,236)
> District graduation rate: 82%
> Annual per pupil spending: $17,717 (Maryland: $15,576)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Maryland: 15:1)
> District location: Somerset County
> Total operational school districts in Maryland: 25
Source: Courtesy of Springfield Public Schools - Massachusetts
Massachusetts: Springfield Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $55,658 (Massachusetts: $115,964)
> District graduation rate: 74%
> Annual per pupil spending: $19,808 (Massachusetts: $19,196)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (Massachusetts: 13:1)
> District location: Hampden County
> Total operational school districts in Massachusetts: 432
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Source: Courtesy of River Rouge Public Schools via Facebook
Michigan: River Rouge Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $34,417 (Michigan: $80,803)
> District graduation rate: 80%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,349 (Michigan: $12,052)
> Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 (Michigan: 18:1)
> District location: Wayne County
> Total operational school districts in Michigan: 895
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Source: Courtesy of Red Lake Public School District via Facebook
Minnesota: Red Lake Public School District
> Avg. household income: $46,261 (Minnesota: $96,814)
> District graduation rate: 32%
> Annual per pupil spending: $22,886 (Minnesota: $13,297)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (Minnesota: 15:1)
> District location: Beltrami County
> Total operational school districts in Minnesota: 564
Source: Courtesy of North Bolivar Cons School Dist via Facebook
Mississippi: North Bolivar Cons School Dist
> Avg. household income: $33,778 (Mississippi: $65,156)
> District graduation rate: 82%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,199 (Mississippi: $9,253)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Mississippi: 15:1)
> District location: Bolivar County
> Total operational school districts in Mississippi: 155
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Source: Courtesy of Summersville R-II School District via Facebook
Missouri: Summersville R-II School District
> Avg. household income: $32,198 (Missouri: $78,194)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,938 (Missouri: $11,349)
> Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 (Missouri: 13:1)
> District location: Texas County
> Total operational school districts in Missouri: 564
Source: Courtesy of Browning Public Schools via Facebook
Montana: Browning Elem
> Avg. household income: $42,256 (Montana: $76,834)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $16,524 (Montana: $11,984)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (Montana: 14:1)
> District location: Glacier County
> Total operational school districts in Montana: 487
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Source: Courtesy of Omaha Nation Public Schools via Facebook
Nebraska: Omaha Nation Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $38,913 (Nebraska: $82,306)
> District graduation rate: 75%
> Annual per pupil spending: $24,505 (Nebraska: $12,746)
> Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 (Nebraska: 14:1)
> District location: Thurston County
> Total operational school districts in Nebraska: 279
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Source: Courtesy of Mineral County School District via Facebook
Nevada: Mineral County School District
> Avg. household income: $47,501 (Nevada: $84,350)
> District graduation rate: 85%
> Annual per pupil spending: $14,960 (Nevada: $9,126)
> Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 (Nevada: 21:1)
> District location: Mineral County
> Total operational school districts in Nevada: 21
Source: Courtesy of Berlin Elementary School via Facebook
New Hampshire: Berlin School District
> Avg. household income: $51,978 (New Hampshire: $101,292)
> District graduation rate: 87%
> Annual per pupil spending: $17,739 (New Hampshire: $17,457)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (New Hampshire: 12:1)
> District location: Coos County
> Total operational school districts in New Hampshire: 308
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Source: Courtesy of Camden City School District
New Jersey: Camden City School District
> Avg. household income: $41,180 (New Jersey: $117,868)
> District graduation rate: 69%
> Annual per pupil spending: $28,845 (New Jersey: $21,331)
> Student-teacher ratio: 9:1 (New Jersey: 12:1)
> District location: Camden County
> Total operational school districts in New Jersey: 688
Source: Courtesy of Cuba Independent Schools via Facebook
New Mexico: Cuba Independent Schools
> Avg. household income: $33,698 (New Mexico: $70,241)
> District graduation rate: 82%
> Annual per pupil spending: $18,185 (New Mexico: $10,466)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (New Mexico: 16:1)
> District location: Sandoval County
> Total operational school districts in New Mexico: 146
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New York: Salamanca City School District
> Avg. household income: $47,627 (New York: $105,304)
> District graduation rate: 77%
> Annual per pupil spending: $24,510 (New York: $24,882)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (New York: 13:1)
> District location: Cattaraugus County
> Total operational school districts in New York: 1,057
Source: Courtesy of Lexington City Schools via Facebook
North Carolina: Lexington City Schools
> Avg. household income: $42,105 (North Carolina: $79,620)
> District graduation rate: 87%
> Annual per pupil spending: $10,854 (North Carolina: $9,799)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (North Carolina: 15:1)
> District location: Davidson County
> Total operational school districts in North Carolina: 330
Source: Courtesy of Four Winds Community School via Facebook
North Dakota: Ft Totten 30
> Avg. household income: $34,226 (North Dakota: $85,506)
> District graduation rate: 65%
> Annual per pupil spending: $18,574 (North Dakota: $14,033)
> Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 (North Dakota: 12:1)
> District location: Benson County
> Total operational school districts in North Dakota: 225
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Source: Courtesy of New Boston Local Schools via Facebook
Ohio: New Boston Local
> Avg. household income: $32,291 (Ohio: $78,797)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $13,313 (Ohio: $13,433)
> Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 (Ohio: 17:1)
> District location: Scioto County
> Total operational school districts in Ohio: 1,043
Oklahoma: Moffett Public School
> Avg. household income: $33,844 (Oklahoma: $74,195)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,090 (Oklahoma: $9,203)
> Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 (Oklahoma: 16:1)
> District location: Sequoyah County
> Total operational school districts in Oklahoma: 597
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Source: Courtesy of Oakridge School District via Facebook
Oregon: Oakridge School District
> Avg. household income: $44,516 (Oregon: $88,137)
> District graduation rate: 65%
> Annual per pupil spending: $13,266 (Oregon: $12,457)
> Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 (Oregon: 20:1)
> District location: Lane County
> Total operational school districts in Oregon: 222
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Source: Courtesy of Farrell Area School District via Facebook
Pennsylvania: Farrell Area Sd
> Avg. household income: $38,373 (Pennsylvania: $87,262)
> District graduation rate: 90%
> Annual per pupil spending: $32,494 (Pennsylvania: $16,892)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (Pennsylvania: 14:1)
> District location: Mercer County
> Total operational school districts in Pennsylvania: 789
Source: danlogan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Rhode Island: Central Falls
> Avg. household income: $43,062 (Rhode Island: $92,427)
> District graduation rate: 72%
> Annual per pupil spending: $17,432 (Rhode Island: $17,539)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Rhode Island: 13:1)
> District location: Providence County
> Total operational school districts in Rhode Island: 64
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South Carolina: Hampton 02
> Avg. household income: $39,594 (South Carolina: $76,390)
> District graduation rate: 85%
> Annual per pupil spending: $16,261 (South Carolina: $10,994)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (South Carolina: 15:1)
> District location: Hampton County
> Total operational school districts in South Carolina: 102
Source: Courtesy of Smee School District 15-3 via Facebook
South Dakota: Smee School District
> Avg. household income: $32,611 (South Dakota: $77,932)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $23,704 (South Dakota: $10,325)
> Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 (South Dakota: 14:1)
> District location: Corson County
> Total operational school districts in South Dakota: 166
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Tennessee: Newport Grammar School
> Avg. household income: $32,160 (Tennessee: $76,937)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $9,526 (Tennessee: $9,941)
> Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 (Tennessee: 16:1)
> District location: Cocke County
> Total operational school districts in Tennessee: 147
Source: Courtesy of Fabens Independent School District via Facebook
Texas: Fabens Isd
> Avg. household income: $37,856 (Texas: $89,506)
> District graduation rate: 82%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,016 (Texas: $9,868)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Texas: 15:1)
> District location: El Paso County
> Total operational school districts in Texas: 1,226
Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images
Utah: Logan City District
> Avg. household income: $55,405 (Utah: $94,452)
> District graduation rate: 84%
> Annual per pupil spending: $8,326 (Utah: $7,950)
> Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 (Utah: 23:1)
> District location: Cache County
> Total operational school districts in Utah: 161
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Source: Courtesy of Saint Johnsbury School via Facebook
Vermont: Saint Johnsbury School District
> Avg. household income: $52,648 (Vermont: $83,767)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $13,187 (Vermont: $21,217)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Vermont: 11:1)
> District location: Caledonia County
> Total operational school districts in Vermont: 235
Virginia: Buchanan County Public Schools
> Avg. household income: $45,295 (Virginia: $106,023)
> District graduation rate: 87%
> Annual per pupil spending: $11,865 (Virginia: $12,642)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Virginia: 15:1)
> District location: Buchanan County
> Total operational school districts in Virginia: 215
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Source: Courtesy of Wellpinit Middle School & High School via Facebook
Washington: Wellpinit School District
> Avg. household income: $39,478 (Washington: $103,669)
> District graduation rate: 33%
> Annual per pupil spending: $20,959 (Washington: $14,342)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (Washington: 18:1)
> District location: Stevens County
> Total operational school districts in Washington: 336
Source: Courtesy of McDowell County Schools - WV
West Virginia: Mcdowell County Schools
> Avg. household income: $37,916 (West Virginia: $65,332)
> District graduation rate: 87%
> Annual per pupil spending: $13,070 (West Virginia: $12,269)
> Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 (West Virginia: 14:1)
> District location: McDowell County
> Total operational school districts in West Virginia: 57
Source: Courtesy of School District of Mellen via Facebook
Wisconsin: Mellen School District
> Avg. household income: $52,128 (Wisconsin: $82,757)
> District graduation rate: N/A
> Annual per pupil spending: $13,483 (Wisconsin: $12,690)
> Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 (Wisconsin: 14:1)
> District location: Ashland County
> Total operational school districts in Wisconsin: 463
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Source: Courtesy of Niobrara County High School via Facebook
Wyoming: Niobrara County School District #1
> Avg. household income: $54,750 (Wyoming: $83,583)
> District graduation rate: 57%
> Annual per pupil spending: $14,656 (Wyoming: $16,228)
> Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 (Wyoming: 13:1)
> District location: Niobrara County
> Total operational school districts in Wyoming: 62
Methodology
To identify the poorest school district in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed mean household income at the district level with five-year data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey. Only school districts with at least 100 students and data on household income were considered.Â
We also considered average annual per pupil spending and student-to-teacher ratios at the district and state level from the National Center for Education Statistics. Total operational school districts by state are also from NCES. All NCES data, including enrollment, is for the 2018-2019 academic year, the most recent with available district level expenditure data.Â
Supplemental data on average graduation rates are from Niche, a school and neighborhood data platform.Â
Louisiana was excluded from analysis due to a lack of income data at the school district level. Additionally, Hawaii only has one school district, and it ranks as both the richest and poorest by default.Â
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