It is no doubt that the US is one of the wealthiest countries. However, there is still a gap between rich and poor, and some American cities are suffering from poverty. Here is a list of the neediest cities in each US state, according to median household income and poverty rate.
1. New Square, New York
New York has one of the worst income equalities in the US. The poverty rate of New Square reaches 64.4%. With a population of 7,995, the median household income is just $23,924.
2. Hamtramck, Michigan
The Hamtramck unemployment rate of 50.9% is mind-boggling. The median household income for 21,959 residences was just $24,369. Nearly 45% of residents depend on SNAP benefits to put food on the table.
3. Centreville, Illinois
Centreville is rated as the most impoverished town in the US. With only 5,095 residents, its poverty rate reaches 48.1%, and the average household income is only $17,440 annually. Half of the population lives below the poverty line.
4. South Tucson, Arizona
With a poverty rate of 46.2%, South Tucson is another of the poorest towns in America. The median household income ($21,160) is less than half of the national average, and 15% of its residents earn less than $10k a year.
5. Bastrop, Louisiana
With a population of only 10,643, Bastrop's poverty rate, 43.5%, is triple the national average. While their median household income is just over $20k, the median house price is relatively high, at around $70k.
6. Helena-West Helena, Arkansas
Located in Arkansas, one of the poorest states, it's no wonder the poverty rate in Helena-West Helena is over 40%. More than 50% of households receive no more than $22k a year.
7. Wewoka, Oklahoma
Although only 3,396 people live in Wewoka town in Oklahoma, one out of three residents relies on SNAP benefits to make a life. The poverty rate is up to 41.7%, and households bring home only $25k per year.
8. Central, South Carolina
Even including the 1,500 college students in the calculation, there are only 5,000 residents in central South Carolina with an annual income of $26,623. However, the poverty rate is more than 40%. Despite this, only 5.7% of residents use SNAP benefits.
9. East Cleveland, Ohio
Considering Ohio State's poverty rate is only 14.9%, East Cleveland, with a poverty rate of 40.5%, is the state's neediest city. Its 17,375 residents' median income is only $21,184, less than half of the other states.
10. Whitewater, Wisconsin
With a poverty rate of 40.2%, Whitewater's median income is only $31,827. The low income may be due to the fact that most of the residents (13k students out of 14k residents) are enrolled as college students.
11. Belle Glade, Florida
Although the rich usually choose to live in Florida, Belle Glade is an exception. Having a population of almost 19,175, nearly 40% of residents live below the poverty line. The poverty rate is over 39%, and the average annual income is only $25k.
12. Brunswick, Georgia
Brunswick is the only town in Georgia that has a median household income of less than $25k. Having a population of 15,000, the poverty rate reaches 39%, which is the highest in the state.
13. Selma, Alabama
Selma is the only town in Alabama where half of the population (19,176) earn less than $25k per year. With a poverty rate of 38.3%, Selma is the poorest town in the whole state.
14. Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Although Pennsylvania State has an average household income that is almost the same as the national average, Johnstown ($23,636) has less than half of that figure. Of the nearly 20,000 people, nearly 40% struggle on the poverty line.
15. San Benito, Texas
Sitting on the Mexican border, San Benito is a larger town with 24,474 residents. However, It has a high poverty rate of 37.4% and a low household income of around $26k. Only 11.7% of San Benito's residents receive a bachelor's degree.
16. Forest City, North Carolina
Forest City has the highest poverty rate (37.4%) and SNAP benefit rate (37.7%) in the entire state of North Carolina. The median household income of its 7,250 residents is only $24,383.
17. Vicksburg, Mississippi
Since Mississippi households earn much less than the national average, it is acceptable for Vicksburg to have a median household income of a bit less than $30k and a poverty rate of 36.1%. One out of three of its population (22,961) lives below the poverty line.
18. Clearlake, California
With a poverty rate of 35%, Clearlake is an exception to the luxurious California State. The median household income for its 15,061 residents is just over $27k, and Clearlake is the only place in California where the median house price is below $100k.
19. Deming, New Mexico
The local economy has long troubled Deming. Although median household income is $25,428, 20% of 14,339 households earn less than $10k per year. Its poverty rate reaches 34.3%, and more than 1/3 of residents live below the poverty line.
20. Central Falls, Rhode Island
The poverty rate in Central Falls is up to 30.7%, which is double the rate for other towns in Rhode Island. The median household income, $30,794, is half that of the second-poorest town. Only 8 of Central Falls' residents have a bachelor's degree.
