The Poorest Town in Each State, According to Census Data

Across the country, many small communities continue to face limited job opportunities, low household incomes, and long-term barriers to economic mobility. While inflation and rising everyday costs have put pressure on families everywhere, the towns struggling the most often face deeper challenges that have built up over many years.

Education, employment access, housing costs, and regional industry shifts all play a role in shaping local income levels. Census data remains one of the clearest ways to compare these communities across state lines, especially when looking at median household income, education levels, and population size.

Using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, this list identifies the poorest town in each state among communities with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 people. The ranking is based on median household income and shows just how wide the gap can be between some small towns and the state median. The ACS provides detailed annual estimates on social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics across U.S. communities.

• 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