Revealed: These Are the Poorest Counties in Every State in the US

In the backdrop of a decade-long increase in U.S. incomes, a recent economic analysis reveals a nuanced reality. Despite a general uptick, the pace of income growth has failed to keep up with inflation, resulting in a nearly 3% decline in real incomes between 2019 and 2021. This disparity disproportionately affects lower-income Americans who, grappling with surging living costs, face challenges that higher-income counterparts can more easily navigate.

Examining the latest available data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, this report by CEOWORLD magazine delves into the economic landscape of each state, identifying the county or county equivalent with the lowest median household income. From these findings, it becomes evident that residents in these areas grapple with incomes ranging from 12% to 59% below the state and national averages.

While geographical differences play a role, financial struggles are a common thread. In many Southern states, households in the poorest counties earn less than $30,000 annually, presenting a stark contrast to wealthier states like Hawaii and Connecticut, where even the most economically challenged counties align closely with the national median. This exploration also highlights the correlation between income, unemployment rates, and educational attainment, emphasizing the persistent economic disparities within the nation.

Alabama – Sumter

• • • Median household income: $27,099 (state: $54,943)
    • Poverty rate: 31.6% (state: 15.8%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.5% (state: 2.2%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 19.5% (state: 26.7%)
    • Population: 12,482 (state: 4,997,675)
    • County seat: Livingston

Alaska – Yukon-Koyukuk

• • • Median household income: $43,405 (state: $80,287)
    • Poverty rate: 23.2% (state: 10.4%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 8.9% (state: 3.7%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 12.9% (state: 30.6%)
    • Population: 5,433 (state: 735,951)
    • County seat: N/A

Arizona – Apache

• • • Median household income: $34,788 (state: $65,913)
    • Poverty rate: 33.9% (state: 13.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 8.8% (state: 3.5%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 12.8% (state: 31.2%)
    • Population: 66,473 (state: 7,079,203)
    • County seat: St. John’s

Arkansas – Chicot

• • • Median household income: $33,770 (state: $52,123)
    • Poverty rate: 29.6% (state: 16.0%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.3% (state: 2.6%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 14.8% (state: 24.3%)
    • Population: 10,405 (state: 3,006,309)
    • County seat: Lake Village

California – Trinity

• • • Median household income: $42,206 (state: $84,097)
    • Poverty rate: 22.5% (state: 12.3%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.3% (state: 4.6%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 18.6% (state: 35.3%)
    • Population: 15,818 (state: 39,455,353)
    • County seat: Weaverville

Colorado – Conejos

• • • Median household income: $38,536 (state: $80,184)
    • Poverty rate: 16.3% (state: 9.6%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.2% (state: 2.8%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 24.5% (state: 42.8%)
    • Population: 7,579 (state: 5,723,176)
    • County seat: Conejos

Connecticut – Windham

• • • Median household income: $71,418 (state: $83,572)
    • Poverty rate: 11.3% (state: 10.0%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.2% (state: 3.7%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 24.4% (state: 40.6%)
    • Population: 116,503 (state: 3,605,330)
    • County seat: N/A

Delaware – Kent

• • • Median household income: $63,715 (state: $72,724)
    • Poverty rate: 13.3% (state: 11.4%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.3% (state: 4.2%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 25.7% (state: 33.6%)
    • Population: 180,078 (state: 981,892)
    • County seat: Dover

Florida (62 counties considered) – Calhoun

• • • Median household income: $38,098 (state: $61,777)
    • Poverty rate: 18.2% (state: 13.1%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.3% (state: 2.6%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 10.0% (state: 31.5%)
    • Population: 13,863 (state: 21,339,762)
    • County seat: Blountstown

Georgia (128 counties considered) – Wheeler

• • • Median household income: $26,776 (state: $65,030)
    • Poverty rate: 23.0% (state: 13.9%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 6.2% (state: 3.2%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 9.1% (state: 33.0%)
    • Population: 7,568 (state: 10,625,615)
    • County seat: Alamo

Hawaii (4 counties considered) – Hawaii

• • • Median household income: $68,399 (state: $88,005)
    • Poverty rate: 13.8% (state: 9.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.8% (state: 3%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 30.2% (state: 34.3%)
    • Population: 200,468 (state: 1,453,498)
    • County seat: Hilo

Idaho (36 counties considered) – Shoshone

• • • Median household income: $43,188 (state: $63,377)
    • Poverty rate: 15.1% (state: 11.4%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.4% (state: 2.7%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 11.3% (state: 29.1%)
    • Population: 13,124 (state: 1,811,617)
    • County seat: Wallace

Illinois (100 counties considered) – Jackson

• • • Median household income: $41,699 (state: $72,563)
    • Poverty rate: 23.8% (state: 11.8%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.9% (state: 4%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 34.2% (state: 36.2%)
    • Population: 53,676 (state: 12,821,813)
    • County seat: Murphysboro

Crawford

• • • Median household income: $42,465 (state: $61,944)
    • Poverty rate: 19.2% (state: 12.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.5% (state: 3.2%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 11.7% (state: 27.8%)
    • Population: 10,511 (state: 6,751,340)
    • County seat: English

Iowa (99 counties considered) – Appanoose

• • • Median household income: $46,900 (state: $65,429)
    • Poverty rate: 19.4% (state: 11.0%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.2% (state: 2.7%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 18.9% (state: 29.7%)
    • Population: 12,310 (state: 3,179,090)
    • County seat: Centerville

Kansas (90 counties considered) – Graham

• • • Median household income: $44,091 (state: $64,521)
    • Poverty rate: 9.2% (state: 11.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 2.4% (state: 2.8%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 26.4% (state: 34.4%)
    • Population: 2,444 (state: 2,932,099)
    • County seat: Hill City

Kentucky (98 counties considered) – Magoffin

• • • Median household income: $29,615 (state: $55,454)
    • Poverty rate: 29.0% (state: 16.3%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 9.7% (state: 3.8%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 10.9% (state: 25.7%)
    • Population: 11,818 (state: 4,494,141)
    • County seat: Salyersville

Louisiana (58 parishes considered) – Claiborne

• • • Median household income: $29,574 (state: $53,571)
    • Poverty rate: 33.6% (state: 18.8%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.4% (state: 3.6%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 12.2% (state: 25.5%)
    • Population: 14,456 (state: 4,657,305)
    • County seat: Homer

Maine (16 counties considered) – Washington

• • • Median household income: $46,689 (state: $63,182)
    • Poverty rate: 18.7% (state: 11.0%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.2% (state: 2.4%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 24.0% (state: 33.6%)
    • Population: 31,003 (state: 1,357,046)
    • County seat: Machias

Maryland (24 counties considered) – Somerset

• • • Median household income: $48,661 (state: $91,431)
    • Poverty rate: 20.4% (state: 9.2%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 2.4% (state: 2%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 17.0% (state: 41.6%)
    • Population: 24,834 (state: 6,148,545)
    • County seat: Princess Anne

Massachusetts (13 counties considered) – Hampden

• • • Median household income: $61,310 (state: $89,026)
    • Poverty rate: 15.9% (state: 9.9%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.5% (state: 2.6%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 28.2% (state: 45.2%)
    • Population: 466,265 (state: 6,991,852)
    • County seat: Springfield

Michigan (82 counties considered) – Lake

• • • Median household income: $40,753 (state: $63,202)
    • Poverty rate: 19.4% (state: 13.3%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 6.9% (state: 3.6%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 13.1% (state: 30.6%)
    • Population: 12,248 (state: 10,062,512)
    • County seat: Baldwin

Minnesota (87 counties considered) – Mahnomen

• • • Median household income: $48,021 (state: $77,706)
    • Poverty rate: 21.1% (state: 9.2%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.2% (state: 2.9%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 12.9% (state: 37.6%)
    • Population: 5,429 (state: 5,670,472)
    • County seat: Mahnomen

Mississippi (67 counties considered) – Holmes

• • • Median household income: $24,958 (state: $49,111)
    • Poverty rate: 39.2% (state: 19.4%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 7.1% (state: 3.1%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 12.7% (state: 23.2%)
    • Population: 17,243 (state: 2,967,023)
    • County seat: Lexington

Missouri (110 counties considered) – Hickory

• • • Median household income: $32,132 (state: $61,043)
    • Poverty rate: 15.4% (state: 12.8%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.7% (state: 2.6%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 9.8% (state: 30.7%)
    • Population: 8,429 (state: 6,141,534)
    • County seat: Hermitage

Montana (42 counties considered) – Glacier

• • • Median household income: $39,441 (state: $60,560)
    • Poverty rate: 28.0% (state: 12.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.6% (state: 2.4%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 21.7% (state: 33.7%)
    • Population: 13,827 (state: 1,077,978)
    • County seat: Cut Bank

Nebraska (76 counties considered) – Garden

• • • Median household income: $43,478 (state: $66,644)
    • Poverty rate: 6.9% (state: 10.3%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 2.2% (state: 1.9%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 26.5% (state: 32.9%)
    • Population: 1,726 (state: 1,951,480)
    • County seat: Oshkosh

Nevada (11 counties considered) – Nye

• • • Median household income: $52,570 (state: $65,686)
    • Poverty rate: 15.6% (state: 12.9%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 7.1% (state: 5.4%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 12.7% (state: 26.1%)
    • Population: 50,096 (state: 3,059,238)
    • County seat: Tonopah

New Hampshire (10 counties considered) – Coos

• • • Median household income: $52,054 (state: $83,449)
    • Poverty rate: 10.9% (state: 7.4%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 2% (state: 1.8%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 20.0% (state: 38.2%)
    • Population: 31,360 (state: 1,372,175)
    • County seat: Lancaster

New Jersey (21 counties considered) – Cumberland

• • • Median household income: $58,397 (state: $89,703)
    • Poverty rate: 15.7% (state: 9.8%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 6.1% (state: 3.7%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 17.0% (state: 41.5%)
    • Population: 154,921 (state: 9,234,024)
    • County seat: Bridgeton

New Mexico (26 counties considered) – Quay

• • • Median household income: $33,067 (state: $54,020)
    • Poverty rate: 25.5% (state: 18.3%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.1% (state: 3.5%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 15.5% (state: 28.5%)
    • Population: 8,675 (state: 2,109,366)
    • County seat: Tucumcari

New York (61 counties considered) – Bronx

• • • Median household income: $43,726 (state: $75,157)
    • Poverty rate: 26.5% (state: 13.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 7.6% (state: 3.9%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 20.9% (state: 38.1%)
    • Population: 1,468,262 (state: 20,114,745)
    • County seat: N/A

North Carolina (95 counties considered) – Robeson

• • • Median household income: $36,736 (state: $60,516)
    • Poverty rate: 27.3% (state: 13.7%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.2% (state: 3.3%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 14.2% (state: 33.0%)
    • Population: 118,836 (state: 10,367,022)
    • County seat: Lumberton

North Dakota (46 counties considered) – Sioux

• • • Median household income: $39,755 (state: $68,131)
    • Poverty rate: 38.5% (state: 10.7%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.4% (state: 2%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 13.6% (state: 31.1%)
    • Population: 3,993 (state: 773,344)
    • County seat: Fort Yates

Ohio (88 counties considered) – Scioto

• • • Median household income: $43,266 (state: $61,938)
    • Poverty rate: 23.8% (state: 13.4%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.9% (state: 3.4%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 16.4% (state: 29.7%)
    • Population: 74,392 (state: 11,769,923)
    • County seat: Portsmouth

Oklahoma (73 counties considered) – Adair

• • • Median household income: $37,940 (state: $56,956)
    • Poverty rate: 24.5% (state: 15.2%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.7% (state: 2.7%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 10.6% (state: 26.8%)
    • Population: 19,839 (state: 3,948,136)
    • County seat: Stilwell

Oregon (34 counties considered) – Wheeler

• • • Median household income: $46,648 (state: $70,084)
    • Poverty rate: 14.0% (state: 12.1%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3% (state: 3.5%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 19.6% (state: 35.0%)
    • Population: 1,477 (state: 4,207,177)
    • County seat: Fossil

Pennsylvania (67 counties considered) – Cameron

• • • Median household income: $43,615 (state: $67,587)
    • Poverty rate: 16.1% (state: 11.8%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.3% (state: 3.8%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 10.6% (state: 33.1%)
    • Population: 4,596 (state: 12,970,650)
    • County seat: Emporium

Rhode Island (5 counties considered) – Providence

• • • Median household income: $65,797 (state: $74,489)
    • Poverty rate: 13.6% (state: 11.3%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.3% (state: 2.9%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 30.6% (state: 35.3%)
    • Population: 656,672 (state: 1,091,949)
    • County seat: N/A

South Carolina (44 counties considered) – Marlboro

• • • Median household income: $32,136 (state: $58,234)
    • Poverty rate: 28.0% (state: 14.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 8.4% (state: 3.1%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 8.0% (state: 29.8%)
    • Population: 26,912 (state: 5,078,903)
    • County seat: Bennettsville

South Dakota (57 counties considered) – Todd

• • • Median household income: $26,250 (state: $63,920)
    • Poverty rate: 59.0% (state: 12.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4% (state: 1.8%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 13.3% (state: 30.0%)
    • Population: 9,434 (state: 881,785)
    • County seat: Winner

Tennessee (88 counties considered) – Hancock

• • • Median household income: $29,650 (state: $58,516)
    • Poverty rate: 29.1% (state: 14.3%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.6% (state: 3.2%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 11.1% (state: 29.0%)
    • Population: 6,695 (state: 6,859,497)
    • County seat: Sneedville

Texas (187 counties considered) – Starr

• • • Median household income: $33,334 (state: $67,321)
    • Poverty rate: 32.6% (state: 14.0%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 9.6% (state: 4.1%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 12.3% (state: 31.5%)
    • Population: 65
    • County seat: Rio Grande City

Utah (24 counties considered) – Grand

• • • Median household income: $51,433 (state: $79,133)
    • Poverty rate: 14.8% (state: 8.8%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 2.1% (state: 2.4%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 26.9% (state: 35.4%)
    • Population: 9,630 (state: 3,231,370)
    • County seat: Moab

Vermont (14 counties considered) – Essex

• • • Median household income: $48,194 (state: $67,674)
    • Poverty rate: 14.7% (state: 10.5%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.4% (state: 1.9%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 19.9% (state: 40.9%)
    • Population: 5,972 (state: 641,637)
    • County seat: Guildhall

Virginia (119 counties considered) – Dickenson

• • • Median household income: $33,905 (state: $80,615)
    • Poverty rate: 21.2% (state: 9.9%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 4.3% (state: 2.7%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 10.4% (state: 40.3%)
    • Population: 14,256 (state: 8,582,479)
    • County seat: Clintwood

Washington (38 counties considered) – Whitman

• • • Median household income: $43,613 (state: $82,400)
    • Poverty rate: 24.7% (state: 10.0%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.4% (state: 3.8%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 47.6% (state: 37.3%)
    • Population: 48,197 (state: 7,617,364)
    • County seat: Colfax

West Virginia (50 counties considered) – McDowell

• • • Median household income: $30,127 (state: $50,884)
    • Poverty rate: 28.9% (state: 16.9%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 6.1% (state: 3.3%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 6.4% (state: 21.8%)
    • Population: 19,334 (state: 1,801,049)
    • County seat: Welch

Wisconsin (72 counties considered) – Iron

• • • Median household income: $48,908 (state: $67,080)
    • Poverty rate: 13.2% (state: 10.7%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 5.9% (state: 2.5%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 23.0% (state: 31.5%)
    • Population: 6,074 (state: 5,871,661)
    • County seat: Hurley

Wyoming (21 counties considered) – Albany

• • • Median household income: $50,733 (state: $68,002)
    • Poverty rate: 23.6% (state: 10.7%)
    • Unemployment rate, June 2023: 3.1% (state: 3.1%)
    • Adults with bachelor’s degree: 56.3% (state: 28.5%)
    • Population: 37,311 (state: 576,641)
    • County seat: Laramie

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