The Poorest Town in Each American State

The number of communities characterized by limited economic opportunity and widespread financial hardship is unsettling. In recent years American families have struggled to manage a surge of inflation that swept the country. Many pundits argue that the pressures from those everyday expenses contributed to Donald Trump's recent landslide victory at the polls.

Beyond inflation however, the communities struggling the most tend to share several common characteristics. Education, for example, has long been linked with higher earning potential and upward economic mobility, but in every town on this list, residents are far less likely than the typical American to have gone to college. Nationwide, about 35% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher. In most of these towns, the bachelor’s degree attainment rate is less than half that.

Using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, we identified the poorest town in each state. We considered any city, town, or unincorporated community with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 people and ranked them by median household income. The typical household earns between $28,900 and $71,100 less than the state’s annual median household income. 

Here is the poorest town in every state in America.

• Household income (median): $20,542 (Alabama: $59,609)
• Poverty rate: 43.8% (Alabama: 15.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 5.5% (Alabama: 27.2%)
• Home value (median): $65,400 (Alabama: $179,400)
• Population: 1,734

• Household income (median): $38,323 (Alaska: $86,370)
• Poverty rate: 15.7% (Alaska: 10.5%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.7% (Alaska: 30.7%)
• Home value (median): $208,700 (Alaska: $318,000)
• Population: 1,543

• Household income (median): $18,250 (Arizona: $72,581)
• Poverty rate: 76.1% (Arizona: 13.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 3.1% (Arizona: 31.8%)
• Home value (median): $72,400 (Arizona: $321,400)
• Population: 1,419

• Household income (median): $21,057 (Arkansas: $56,335)
• Poverty rate: 38.6% (Arkansas: 16.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 4.9% (Arkansas: 24.7%)
• Home value (median): $76,200 (Arkansas: $162,400)
• Population: 3,575

• Household income (median): $21,651 (California: $91,905)
• Poverty rate: 48.0% (California: 12.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 0.5% (California: 35.9%)
• Home value (median): $126,500 (California: $659,300)
• Population: 2,788

• Household income (median): $31,418 (Colorado: $87,598)
• Poverty rate: 46.1% (Colorado: 9.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.1% (Colorado: 43.7%)
• Home value (median): $101,200 (Colorado: $465,900)
• Population: 3,850

• Household income (median): $31,130 (Connecticut: $90,213)
• Poverty rate: 40.5% (Connecticut: 10.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 17.4% (Connecticut: 41.4%)
• Home value (median): $188,900 (Connecticut: $323,700)
• Population: 1,353

• Household income (median): $33,534 (Delaware: $79,325)
• Poverty rate: 19.9% (Delaware: 11.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.9% (Delaware: 34.5%)
• Home value (median): $151,400 (Delaware: $305,200)
• Population: 1,304

• Household income (median): $23,969 (Florida: $67,917)
• Poverty rate: 62.2% (Florida: 12.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 17.0% (Florida: 32.3%)
• Home value (median): $175,200 (Florida: $292,200)
• Population: 4,868

• Household income (median): $18,839 (Georgia: $71,355)
• Poverty rate: 41.6% (Georgia: 13.5%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.0% (Georgia: 33.6%)
• Home value (median): $64,800 (Georgia: $245,900)
• Population: 1,014

• Household income (median): $23,750 (Hawaii: $94,814)
• Poverty rate: 36.8% (Hawaii: 9.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 29.8% (Hawaii: 34.7%)
• Home value (median): $226,300 (Hawaii: $764,800)
• Population: 1,611

• Household income (median): $34,803 (Idaho: $70,214)
• Poverty rate: 22.6% (Idaho: 11.0%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.9% (Idaho: 30.2%)
• Home value (median): $193,200 (Idaho: $331,600)
• Population: 1,210

• Household income (median): $24,491 (Illinois: $78,433)
• Poverty rate: 30.0% (Illinois: 11.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.6% (Illinois: 36.7%)
• Home value (median): $82,800 (Illinois: $239,100)
• Population: 1,278

• Household income (median): $26,599 (Indiana: $67,173)
• Poverty rate: 51.3% (Indiana: 12.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 2.3% (Indiana: 28.2%)
• Home value (median): $84,600 (Indiana: $183,600)
• Population: 1,101

• Household income (median): $41,629 (Iowa: $70,571)
• Poverty rate: 17.5% (Iowa: 11.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.7% (Iowa: 30.3%)
• Home value (median): $97,000 (Iowa: $181,600)
• Population: 5,934

• Household income (median): $23,750 (Kansas: $69,747)
• Poverty rate: 26.1% (Kansas: 11.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.4% (Kansas: 34.7%)
• Home value (median): $60,500 (Kansas: $189,300)
• Population: 1,022

• Household income (median): $21,250 (Kentucky: $60,183)
• Poverty rate: 39.6% (Kentucky: 16.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.1% (Kentucky: 26.5%)
• Home value (median): $97,000 (Kentucky: $177,000)
• Population: 1,218

• Household income (median): $18,790 (Louisiana: $57,852)
• Poverty rate: 49.6% (Louisiana: 18.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.6% (Louisiana: 26.1%)
• Home value (median): $60,900 (Louisiana: $198,300)
• Population: 1,093

• Household income (median): $25,278 (Maine: $68,251)
• Poverty rate: 36.3% (Maine: 10.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 23.0% (Maine: 34.1%)
• Home value (median): $111,800 (Maine: $244,800)
• Population: 1,331

• Household income (median): $28,808 (Maryland: $98,461)
• Poverty rate: 33.6% (Maryland: 9.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.2% (Maryland: 42.2%)
• Home value (median): N/A (Maryland: $380,500)
• Population: 1,008

• Household income (median): $44,107 (Massachusetts: $96,505)
• Poverty rate: 15.4% (Massachusetts: 9.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.8% (Massachusetts: 45.9%)
• Home value (median): $201,100 (Massachusetts: $483,900)
• Population: 6,253

• Household income (median): $25,587 (Michigan: $68,505)
• Poverty rate: 39.2% (Michigan: 13.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.8% (Michigan: 31.1%)
• Home value (median): $94,000 (Michigan: $201,100)
• Population: 1,030

• Household income (median): $37,177 (Minnesota: $84,313)
• Poverty rate: 20.5% (Minnesota: 9.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22.2% (Minnesota: 38.2%)
• Home value (median): $166,900 (Minnesota: $286,800)
• Population: 2,153

• Household income (median): $17,940 (Mississippi: $52,985)
• Poverty rate: 53.0% (Mississippi: 19.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.4% (Mississippi: 23.9%)
• Home value (median): $95,300 (Mississippi: $151,000)
• Population: 1,871

• Household income (median): $22,143 (Missouri: $65,920)
• Poverty rate: 41.9% (Missouri: 12.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 5.8% (Missouri: 31.2%)
• Home value (median): $107,800 (Missouri: $199,400)
• Population: 1,125

• Household income (median): $25,313 (Montana: $66,341)
• Poverty rate: 20.0% (Montana: 12.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16.3% (Montana: 34.0%)
• Home value (median): $196,000 (Montana: $305,700)
• Population: 1,181

• Household income (median): $40,222 (Nebraska: $71,722)
• Poverty rate: 13.3% (Nebraska: 10.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.8% (Nebraska: 33.5%)
• Home value (median): $86,900 (Nebraska: $205,600)
• Population: 4,124

• Household income (median): $35,931 (Nevada: $71,646)
• Poverty rate: 20.1% (Nevada: 12.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.5% (Nevada: 26.5%)
• Home value (median): $163,100 (Nevada: $373,800)
• Population: 1,777

• Household income (median): $40,559 (New Hampshire: $90,845)
• Poverty rate: 32.5% (New Hampshire: 7.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.6% (New Hampshire: 39.0%)
• Home value (median): $163,600 (New Hampshire: $337,100)
• Population: 1,520

• Household income (median): $29,821 (New Jersey: $97,126)
• Poverty rate: 40.5% (New Jersey: 9.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.3% (New Jersey: 42.3%)
• Home value (median): $143,400 (New Jersey: $401,400)
• Population: 4,841

• Household income (median): $24,118 (New Mexico: $58,722)
• Poverty rate: 69.8% (New Mexico: 18.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 4.4% (New Mexico: 29.1%)
• Home value (median): $9,999 (New Mexico: $216,000)
• Population: 1,081

• Household income (median): $27,488 (New York: $81,386)
• Poverty rate: 64.2% (New York: 13.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 2.4% (New York: 38.8%)
• Home value (median): $562,500 (New York: $384,100)
• Population: 9,578

• Household income (median): $16,643 (North Carolina: $66,186)
• Poverty rate: 64.2% (North Carolina: 13.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 4.2% (North Carolina: 33.9%)
• Home value (median): $112,500 (North Carolina: $234,900)
• Population: 1,233

• Household income (median): $30,234 (North Dakota: $73,959)
• Poverty rate: 41.7% (North Dakota: 10.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 0.0% (North Dakota: 31.4%)
• Home value (median): $36,200 (North Dakota: $232,500)
• Population: 1,042

• Household income (median): $14,676 (Ohio: $66,990)
• Poverty rate: 62.9% (Ohio: 13.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.2% (Ohio: 30.4%)
• Home value (median): $74,800 (Ohio: $183,300)
• Population: 3,140

• Household income (median): $27,798 (Oklahoma: $61,364)
• Poverty rate: 30.7% (Oklahoma: 15.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.5% (Oklahoma: 27.3%)
• Home value (median): $85,400 (Oklahoma: $170,500)
• Population: 2,361

• Household income (median): $29,336 (Oregon: $76,632)
• Poverty rate: 31.6% (Oregon: 11.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.4% (Oregon: 35.5%)
• Home value (median): $192,400 (Oregon: $423,100)
• Population: 3,208

• Household income (median): $27,212 (Pennsylvania: $73,170)
• Poverty rate: 30.9% (Pennsylvania: 11.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.7% (Pennsylvania: 33.8%)
• Home value (median): $43,800 (Pennsylvania: $226,200)
• Population: 1,814

• Household income (median): $43,092 (Rhode Island: $81,370)
• Poverty rate: 24.4% (Rhode Island: 11.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.1% (Rhode Island: 36.3%)
• Home value (median): $244,100 (Rhode Island: $343,100)
• Population: 22,359

• Household income (median): $19,770 (South Carolina: $63,623)
• Poverty rate: 38.0% (South Carolina: 14.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.2% (South Carolina: 30.6%)
• Home value (median): $45,500 (South Carolina: $216,200)
• Population: 1,159

• Household income (median): $18,750 (South Dakota: $69,457)
• Poverty rate: 91.5% (South Dakota: 12.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 3.1% (South Dakota: 30.4%)
• Home value (median): N/A (South Dakota: $219,500)
• Population: 1,021

• Household income (median): $23,897 (Tennessee: $64,035)
• Poverty rate: 43.4% (Tennessee: 14.0%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 6.5% (Tennessee: 29.7%)
• Home value (median): $82,300 (Tennessee: $232,100)
• Population: 1,590

• Household income (median): $18,289 (Texas: $73,035)
• Poverty rate: 56.4% (Texas: 13.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 3.6% (Texas: 32.3%)
• Home value (median): $28,700 (Texas: $238,000)
• Population: 1,099

• Household income (median): $41,780 (Utah: $86,833)
• Poverty rate: 33.5% (Utah: 8.5%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.9% (Utah: 36.1%)
• Home value (median): $204,600 (Utah: $408,500)
• Population: 1,070

• Household income (median): $40,446 (Vermont: $74,014)
• Poverty rate: 21.2% (Vermont: 10.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 27.6% (Vermont: 41.7%)
• Home value (median): $210,900 (Vermont: $272,400)
• Population: 2,817

• Household income (median): $16,830 (Virginia: $87,249)
• Poverty rate: 55.7% (Virginia: 10.0%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.7% (Virginia: 41.0%)
• Home value (median): $113,900 (Virginia: $339,800)
• Population: 1,259

• Household income (median): $34,750 (Washington: $90,325)
• Poverty rate: 32.7% (Washington: 9.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.7% (Washington: 38.0%)
• Home value (median): $160,900 (Washington: $473,400)
• Population: 1,753

• Household income (median): $23,173 (West Virginia: $55,217)
• Poverty rate: 32.0% (West Virginia: 16.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.2% (West Virginia: 22.7%)
• Home value (median): $96,900 (West Virginia: $145,800)
• Population: 3,035

• Household income (median): $29,375 (Wisconsin: $72,458)
• Poverty rate: 35.2% (Wisconsin: 10.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.6% (Wisconsin: 32.0%)
• Home value (median): $89,000 (Wisconsin: $231,400)
• Population: 1,755

• Household income (median): $40,000 (Wyoming: $72,495)
• Poverty rate: 27.1% (Wyoming: 10.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.1% (Wyoming: 29.0%)
• Home value (median): $160,700 (Wyoming: $269,900)
• Population: 1,481