Inflation began surging in the United States in early 2021. And while the consumer price index has been steadily falling for nearly a year, inflation remains stubbornly high at 4.9% – more than double the Federal Reserve’s 2% target rate. In this economic environment, American households are poorer now than they were two years ago, despite rising incomes.
While the rising cost of living has spared no one, low-income households are disproportionately feeling the effects. Americans with lower incomes spend a larger share of their earnings on basic necessities, such as food, transportation, and housing, and therefore have fewer opportunities to cut spending.
A recent survey from the U.S. Census Bureau found that 33% of households earning less than $35,000 a year found it very difficult to pay for usual household expenses in the last week, more than double the 15% share of all U.S. households reporting similar challenges. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of households earning less than $35,000 found rising prices to be “very stressful,” compared with less than half of all U.S. households.
This period of historic inflation is taking a considerable toll – both economically and psychologically – on many of the country’s most vulnerable communities.
Using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the poorest town in each state. We considered any city, town, or unincorporated community with a population between 1,000 and 25,000 people, and ranked them by median household income.
Among the places on this list, the typical household earns anywhere from $43,800 to just $9,100 annually. For reference, most American households earn over $69,000 a year. With such low incomes, the residents of these places are more likely to depend on government assistance to afford basic necessities. In all but two communities on this list, the share of households who receive SNAP benefits, or food stamps, exceeds the respective statewide recipiency rate. (Here is a look at the city in each state with the most people on Food Stamps.)
Low incomes in these communities are often reflected in the local housing market. In over half of the places on this list, the typical home is worth less than $100,000. (Here is a look at the cheapest cities to buy a home.)
Click here to see the poorest town in every state.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Source: Michael Warren / iStock via Getty Images
Alabama: Union Springs
> Median household income: $20,476 (Alabama: $54,943)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.2% (Alabama: 26.7%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 41.1% (Alabama: 13.3%)
> Median home value: $64,900 (Alabama: $157,100)
> Population: 3,389
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 294
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Alaska: Alakanuk
> Median household income: $36,429 (Alaska: $80,287)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 1.8% (Alaska: 30.6%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 39.5% (Alaska: 10.4%)
> Median home value: $122,900 (Alaska: $282,800)
> Population: 1,065
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 70
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Arizona: Cibecue
> Median household income: $18,232 (Arizona: $65,913)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 6.4% (Arizona: 31.2%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 48.4% (Arizona: 10.2%)
> Median home value: N/A (Arizona: $265,600)
> Population: 1,417
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 167
Arkansas: Marianna
> Median household income: $17,932 (Arkansas: $52,123)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.4% (Arkansas: 24.3%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 40.3% (Arkansas: 11.3%)
> Median home value: $75,700 (Arkansas: $142,100)
> Population: 3,660
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 189
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
California: Thermal
> Median household income: $14,500 (California: $84,097)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 0.0% (California: 35.3%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 20.6% (California: 9.5%)
> Median home value: $119,300 (California: $573,200)
> Population: 1,198
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 725
Source: ablokhin / iStock via Getty Images
Colorado: Rocky Ford
> Median household income: $29,822 (Colorado: $80,184)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.7% (Colorado: 42.8%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 37.7% (Colorado: 7.4%)
> Median home value: $81,900 (Colorado: $397,500)
> Population: 3,876
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 180
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Source: Alexander Farnsworth / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Connecticut: Canaan
> Median household income: $28,873 (Connecticut: $83,572)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 24.5% (Connecticut: 40.6%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 28.8% (Connecticut: 11.5%)
> Median home value: $170,300 (Connecticut: $286,700)
> Population: 1,243
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 126
Delaware: Laurel
> Median household income: $34,615 (Delaware: $72,724)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.3% (Delaware: 33.6%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 47.2% (Delaware: 10.5%)
> Median home value: $150,100 (Delaware: $269,700)
> Population: 3,886
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 50
Florida: Gifford
> Median household income: $22,353 (Florida: $61,777)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.1% (Florida: 31.5%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 46.1% (Florida: 13.2%)
> Median home value: $115,300 (Florida: $248,700)
> Population: 4,477
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 590
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Georgia: Glenwood
> Median household income: $19,625 (Georgia: $65,030)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 3.7% (Georgia: 33.0%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 16.7% (Georgia: 11.9%)
> Median home value: $82,500 (Georgia: $206,700)
> Population: 1,116
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 322
Hawaii: Hawaiian Ocean View
> Median household income: $25,402 (Hawaii: $88,005)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.7% (Hawaii: 34.3%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 41.3% (Hawaii: 10.7%)
> Median home value: $168,300 (Hawaii: $662,100)
> Population: 3,851
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 113
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Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images
Idaho: Glenns Ferry
> Median household income: $29,219 (Idaho: $63,377)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.6% (Idaho: 29.1%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 19.6% (Idaho: 8.7%)
> Median home value: $104,200 (Idaho: $266,500)
> Population: 1,197
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 87
Source: Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Illinois: Alorton
> Median household income: $19,605 (Illinois: $72,563)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.3% (Illinois: 36.2%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 54.0% (Illinois: 12.6%)
> Median home value: $44,600 (Illinois: $212,600)
> Population: 1,864
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 618
Indiana: Austin
> Median household income: $27,008 (Indiana: $61,944)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.8% (Indiana: 27.8%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 27.4% (Indiana: 9.0%)
> Median home value: $74,200 (Indiana: $158,500)
> Population: 3,921
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 306
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Iowa: Oelwein
> Median household income: $38,325 (Iowa: $65,429)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.2% (Iowa: 29.7%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 20.7% (Iowa: 9.6%)
> Median home value: $86,900 (Iowa: $160,700)
> Population: 5,961
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 262
Source: krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images
Kansas: Chetopa
> Median household income: $21,843 (Kansas: $64,521)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.5% (Kansas: 34.4%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 16.1% (Kansas: 7.1%)
> Median home value: $54,200 (Kansas: $164,800)
> Population: 1,113
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 188
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Kentucky: Clay City
> Median household income: $19,643 (Kentucky: $55,454)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 2.7% (Kentucky: 25.7%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 32.2% (Kentucky: 12.7%)
> Median home value: $67,000 (Kentucky: $155,100)
> Population: 1,097
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 213
Louisiana: Many
> Median household income: $18,148 (Louisiana: $53,571)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.0% (Louisiana: 25.5%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 33.5% (Louisiana: 15.7%)
> Median home value: $122,900 (Louisiana: $174,000)
> Population: 2,337
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 246
Maine: Machias
> Median household income: $20,333 (Maine: $63,182)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.9% (Maine: 33.6%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 38.6% (Maine: 12.1%)
> Median home value: $105,000 (Maine: $212,100)
> Population: 1,396
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 99
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Maryland: Federalsburg
> Median household income: $31,532 (Maryland: $91,431)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.3% (Maryland: 41.6%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 46.0% (Maryland: 10.4%)
> Median home value: $123,400 (Maryland: $338,500)
> Population: 2,824
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 271
Massachusetts: Ware
> Median household income: $43,783 (Massachusetts: $89,026)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.8% (Massachusetts: 45.2%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 29.9% (Massachusetts: 12.2%)
> Median home value: $183,900 (Massachusetts: $424,700)
> Population: 6,339
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 152
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Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Michigan: Baldwin
> Median household income: $22,593 (Michigan: $63,202)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.3% (Michigan: 30.6%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 41.3% (Michigan: 12.6%)
> Median home value: $79,100 (Michigan: $172,100)
> Population: 1,036
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 375
Minnesota: Aurora
> Median household income: $32,287 (Minnesota: $77,706)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.6% (Minnesota: 37.6%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 28.4% (Minnesota: 7.5%)
> Median home value: $67,600 (Minnesota: $250,200)
> Population: 1,709
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 311
Mississippi: Rosedale
> Median household income: $15,955 (Mississippi: $49,111)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.3% (Mississippi: 23.2%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 38.3% (Mississippi: 14.0%)
> Median home value: $75,800 (Mississippi: $133,000)
> Population: 1,915
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 169
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Missouri: Versailles
> Median household income: $22,786 (Missouri: $61,043)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.1% (Missouri: 30.7%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 26.7% (Missouri: 10.1%)
> Median home value: $87,700 (Missouri: $171,800)
> Population: 2,492
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 341
Montana: Plains
> Median household income: $24,844 (Montana: $60,560)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.8% (Montana: 33.7%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 34.8% (Montana: 9.0%)
> Median home value: $153,400 (Montana: $263,700)
> Population: 1,156
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 88
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Source: Ammodramus / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Nebraska: Falls City
> Median household income: $37,712 (Nebraska: $66,644)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.2% (Nebraska: 32.9%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 10.3% (Nebraska: 8.0%)
> Median home value: $72,900 (Nebraska: $174,100)
> Population: 4,130
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 113
Nevada: Tonopah
> Median household income: $33,144 (Nevada: $65,686)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.3% (Nevada: 26.1%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 11.2% (Nevada: 11.8%)
> Median home value: $154,000 (Nevada: $315,900)
> Population: 1,895
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 43
New Hampshire: Ashland
> Median household income: $33,365 (New Hampshire: $83,449)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 17.3% (New Hampshire: 38.2%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 14.1% (New Hampshire: 6.1%)
> Median home value: $160,600 (New Hampshire: $288,700)
> Population: 1,778
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 52
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New Jersey: Salem
> Median household income: $26,667 (New Jersey: $89,703)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.7% (New Jersey: 41.5%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 35.2% (New Jersey: 8.4%)
> Median home value: $59,100 (New Jersey: $355,700)
> Population: 5,237
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 499
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
New Mexico: Twin Lakes
> Median household income: $21,167 (New Mexico: $54,020)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 3.7% (New Mexico: 28.5%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 42.7% (New Mexico: 17.5%)
> Median home value: $53,800 (New Mexico: $184,800)
> Population: 1,082
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 140
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
New York: New Square
> Median household income: $24,881 (New York: $75,157)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 2.9% (New York: 38.1%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 70.3% (New York: 14.3%)
> Median home value: $552,200 (New York: $340,600)
> Population: 9,433
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 724
Source: Indy beetle / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
North Carolina: Scotland Neck
> Median household income: $15,985 (North Carolina: $60,516)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.4% (North Carolina: 33.0%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 46.0% (North Carolina: 12.1%)
> Median home value: $63,300 (North Carolina: $197,500)
> Population: 2,033
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 396
North Dakota: New Rockford
> Median household income: $35,595 (North Dakota: $68,131)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 22.8% (North Dakota: 31.1%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 17.2% (North Dakota: 6.4%)
> Median home value: $88,400 (North Dakota: $209,900)
> Population: 1,374
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 50
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Source: Nyttend / Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
Ohio: Lincoln Heights
> Median household income: $12,183 (Ohio: $61,938)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.0% (Ohio: 29.7%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 63.1% (Ohio: 12.4%)
> Median home value: $72,600 (Ohio: $159,900)
> Population: 3,153
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 613
Oklahoma: Wetumka
> Median household income: $24,769 (Oklahoma: $56,956)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.1% (Oklahoma: 26.8%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 21.6% (Oklahoma: 12.6%)
> Median home value: $61,900 (Oklahoma: $150,800)
> Population: 1,294
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 222
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Oregon: Grand Ronde
> Median household income: $27,465 (Oregon: $70,084)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.0% (Oregon: 35.0%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 46.2% (Oregon: 14.7%)
> Median home value: $183,900 (Oregon: $362,200)
> Population: 1,334
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 200
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Source: Althom / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Pennsylvania: Braddock
> Median household income: $22,670 (Pennsylvania: $67,587)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.8% (Pennsylvania: 33.1%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 40.5% (Pennsylvania: 13.4%)
> Median home value: $33,900 (Pennsylvania: $197,300)
> Population: 1,949
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 917
Source: danlogan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
Rhode Island: Central Falls
> Median household income: $40,235 (Rhode Island: $74,489)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.2% (Rhode Island: 35.3%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 33.7% (Rhode Island: 14.7%)
> Median home value: $187,300 (Rhode Island: $292,600)
> Population: 22,192
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 18
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South Carolina: Blackville
> Median household income: $19,583 (South Carolina: $58,234)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.4% (South Carolina: 29.8%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 45.8% (South Carolina: 10.7%)
> Median home value: $67,500 (South Carolina: $181,800)
> Population: 2,135
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 230
South Dakota: Fort Thompson
> Median household income: $24,125 (South Dakota: $63,920)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.8% (South Dakota: 30.0%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 44.1% (South Dakota: 8.4%)
> Median home value: $96,900 (South Dakota: $187,800)
> Population: 1,266
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 72
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Tennessee: Jamestown
> Median household income: $18,000 (Tennessee: $58,516)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 2.3% (Tennessee: 29.0%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 47.2% (Tennessee: 12.1%)
> Median home value: $68,100 (Tennessee: $193,700)
> Population: 2,058
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 269
Texas: Carrizo Hill
> Median household income: $9,110 (Texas: $67,321)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 0.0% (Texas: 31.5%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 10.3% (Texas: 11.5%)
> Median home value: N/A (Texas: $202,600)
> Population: 1,076
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 874
Source: fotoneurotic / iStock via Getty Images
Utah: East Carbon
> Median household income: $39,583 (Utah: $79,133)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.1% (Utah: 35.4%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 25.9% (Utah: 5.9%)
> Median home value: $64,200 (Utah: $339,700)
> Population: 1,524
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 134
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Vermont: West Brattleboro
> Median household income: $36,618 (Vermont: $67,674)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 31.9% (Vermont: 40.9%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 26.8% (Vermont: 10.3%)
> Median home value: $178,500 (Vermont: $240,600)
> Population: 2,770
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 42
Source: Nyttend / Public Domain / Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons
Virginia: Jonesville
> Median household income: $17,344 (Virginia: $80,615)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.3% (Virginia: 40.3%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 48.0% (Virginia: 8.0%)
> Median home value: $117,200 (Virginia: $295,500)
> Population: 1,313
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 319
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Source: forestservicenw / Flickr
Washington: Oroville
> Median household income: $32,083 (Washington: $82,400)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 9.1% (Washington: 37.3%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 30.3% (Washington: 11.2%)
> Median home value: $142,700 (Washington: $397,600)
> Population: 1,694
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 342
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West Virginia: Williamson
> Median household income: $18,640 (West Virginia: $50,884)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 10.6% (West Virginia: 21.8%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 37.9% (West Virginia: 16.4%)
> Median home value: $81,800 (West Virginia: $128,800)
> Population: 3,054
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 138
Wisconsin: Lac du Flambeau
> Median household income: $26,076 (Wisconsin: $67,080)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.6% (Wisconsin: 31.5%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 18.1% (Wisconsin: 10.2%)
> Median home value: $77,500 (Wisconsin: $200,400)
> Population: 1,776
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 354
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Wyoming: Fort Washakie
> Median household income: $41,944 (Wyoming: $68,002)
> Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.8% (Wyoming: 28.5%)
> Households receiving SNAP benefits: 20.6% (Wyoming: 5.2%)
> Median home value: $116,100 (Wyoming: $237,900)
> Population: 1,647
> No. of towns considered in ranking: 52
Methodology
To identify America’s poorest towns, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed five-year estimates of median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey five-year estimates.
We used census “place” geographies — a category that includes incorporated legal entities and census-designated statistical entities. We defined towns based on population thresholds — having at least 1,000 people and less than 25,000 people.
Towns were excluded if median household income was not available in the 2021 ACS or if the sampling error associated with a town’s data was deemed too high. The presence of a major college or university can also distort economic realities of a given area, and as a result, places where 25% or more of the population are enrolled in college or graduate school were excluded.
Additional data on the median home values, educational attainment, SNAP recipiency rate, and population are also from the ACS five-year estimates.
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