President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Bill on August 14, 1935, as a promised plan to safeguard “against the hazards and vicissitudes of life.” This Bill was only a piece of the work completed by the Committee on Economic Security (CES), also created by the president in 1934. Over time, other safety net policies were put into place; food assistance, housing assistance, family tax credits, childcare assistance, and unemployment are just some of the more well-known assistance programs offered by the government. Despite all of these efforts, poverty remains with us. In 2022, the official poverty rate was 11.5%, or 37.9 million people. The child poverty rate more than doubled from 5.2% in 2021 to 12.4% in 2022. As of 2024, the federal poverty level (FPL) in the United States is $14,891 for an individual. The poverty line for a family of four is $29,960.
In 48 of the 50 states, at least one county or county equivalent has a higher poverty rate than the national average. Using five-year estimates from the USCB’s 2022 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the county or county equivalent in each state with the highest poverty rate. We also provided data on unemployment rates and education levels. Income and job security tend to rise with greater education attained. The lack of work in a given area is linked to financial hardships. In the majority of these counties, the average unemployment rate was higher than the comparable average across the state in the last five years.
Why Are We Writing About Poverty?
According to the most recent Household Pulse Survey from the USCB, nearly 88% of Americans in households earning less than $25,000 annually report at least some difficulty paying for usual expenses, compared to 63% of all Americans. Americans in the lowest income bracket were also more likely to be behind on rent or mortgage payments and nearly three times as likely as the typical American to regularly not have enough to eat. These circumstances contribute to higher rates of mental health problems. Americans in households earning less than $25,000 a year are more likely than any other income group to report anxiety or uncontrollable worry nearly every day.
Simply living in an already impoverished area, such as one lacking in jobs and social infrastructure, directly impacts the financial status of a person or family. Should a person or family wish to improve their standings, these circumstances set them at a disadvantage from the beginning. When one compounds this disadvantage with a lack of education or mental health struggles, attempts to get out of the situation can be difficult and feel impossible.
Understanding the impact of poverty will help one better understand the community’s needs and how to help, should they wish.
Here is the county in every state with the worst poverty rate.
Alabama: Greene County
Greene County is 1 of 67 counties in Alabama and has the highest poverty rate at 32.9% (Alabama has a rate of 15.7%). The total population of this county is 7,706, with a median household income of $32,796 ($59,609 for the state) and a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.4% (27.2% for the state). Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 16.7%, and the state at 27.2%.
Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area
Out of Alaska’s 27 boroughs, the Kusilvak Census Area has a % poverty rate of 34.3% (10.5% for the state). Kusilvak Census Area had a 2022 unemployment rate of 12.9% (4.0% for the state) and a median household income of $42,663 ($86,370 for the state) for their population of 8,372. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher were at 4.6% (30.7% for the state).
Arizona: Apache County
With a population of 66,054 and an unemployment rate of 7.7% (3.8% for the state), Apache County in Arizona has the highest poverty rate of the 15 counties. The median household income for the county is $37,483 ($72,581 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 13.8% (31.8% for the state).
Arkansas: Phillips County
Phillips County is 1 of 75 counties in Arkansas and has the highest poverty rate at 30.5% (the state has a rate of 16.2%). The total population of this county is 16,373, with a median household income of $37,458 ($56,335 for the state) and a 2022 unemployment rate of 6.3% (3.3% for the state). Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 15.2%, and the state at 24.7%.
California: Trinity County
Of California’s 27 counties, Trinity County has a % poverty rate of 22.0% (12.1% for the state). Trinity County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.6% (4.2% for the state) and a median household income of $47,317 ($91,905 for the state) for their population of 15,889 Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher was at 19.2% (35.9% for the state).
Colorado: Bent County
With a population of 5,561 and an unemployment rate of 3.6% (3.0% for the state), Bent County in Colorado has the highest poverty rate of the 61 counties. The median household income for the county is $45,776 ($ 87,598 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 15.5% (43.7% for the state).
Connecticut: Greater Bridgeport Planning Region
Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is 1 of 9 county equivalents in Connecticut and has the highest poverty rate at 13.3% (the state has a rate of 10.1%). The total population of this area is 326,381, with a median household income of $83,147 ($90,213 for the state). Connecticut had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.2%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 41.7%, and the state is 41.4%.
Delaware: Kent County
Of Delaware’s 3 counties, Kent County has a % poverty rate of 12.3% (11.1% for the state). Kent County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 5.2% (4.5% for the state) and a median household income of $69,278 ($79,325 for the state) for its population of 182,400. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher was at 26.3% (34.5% for the state).
Florida: Hardee County
With a population of 5,561 and an unemployment rate of 3.6% (3.0% for the state), Hardee County in Florida has the highest poverty rate of the 67 counties. The median household income for the county is $44,665 ($67,917 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 10.4% (32.3% for the state).
Georgia: Clinch County
Clinch County is 1 of 159 counties in Georgia and has the highest poverty rate at 32.5% (the state has a rate of 13.5%). The total population of this area is 6,713, with a median household income of $53,350 ($71,355 for the state). Clinch County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 2.8%, with the state at 3.0%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 12.9%, and the state at 33.6%.
Hawaii: Hawaii County
Of Hawaii’s 4 counties, Hawaii County has a % poverty rate of 14.1% (9.6% for the state). Hawaii County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 3.6% (3.5% for the state) and a median household income of $74,238 ($94,814 for the state) for its population of 202,163. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher were at 30.7% (34.7% for the state).
Idaho: Madison County
With a population of 52,487 and an unemployment rate of 1.8% (2.7% for the state), Madison County in Idaho has the highest poverty rate of the 43 counties. The median household income for the county is $53,025 ($70,214 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 39.1% (30.2% for the state).
Illinois: Pulaski County
Pulaski County is 1 of 102 counties in Illinois and has the highest poverty rate at 25.0% (the state has a rate of 11.8%). The total population of this area is 5,177, with a median household income of $41,038 ($78,433 for the state). Pulaski County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 6.9%, with the state at 4.6%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 14.5%, and the state at 36.7%.
Indiana: Crawford County
Of Indiana’s 92 counties, Crawford County has a % poverty rate of 21.9% (12.3% for the state). Crawford County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 3.5% (3.0% for the state) and a median household income of $46,706 ($67,173 for the state) for their population of 10,511. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher was at 12.2% (28.2% for the state).
Iowa: Story County
With a population of 98,573 and an unemployment rate of 2.0% (2.7% for the state), Story County in Iowa has the highest poverty rate of the 99 counties. The median household income for the county is $66,197 ($70,571 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 52.5% (30.3% for the state).
Kansas: Riley County
Riley County is 1 of 105 counties in Kansas and has the highest poverty rate at 22.7% (the state has a rate of 11.6%). The total population of this area is 72,105, with a median household income of $56,327 ($69,747 for the state). Riley County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 2.7%, with the state at 2.7%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 47.8%, and the state at 34.7%.
Kentucky: Wolfe County
Of Kentucky’s 120 counties, Wolfe County has a % poverty rate of 36.8% (16.1% for the state). Wolfe County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 5.6% (3.9% for the state) and a median household income of $28,666 ($60,183 for the state) for its population of 6,573. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher was at 7.0% (26.5% for the state).
Louisiana: East Carroll Parish
With a population of 7,371 and an unemployment rate of 7.9% (3.7% for the state), East Carroll Parish in Louisiana has the highest poverty rate of the 64 parishes. The median household income for the parish is $30,856 ($57,852 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 11.8% (26.1% for the state).
Maine: Washington County
Washington County is 1 of 16 counties in Maine and has the highest poverty rate at 17.5% (the state has a rate of 10.9%). The total population of this area is 31,096, with a median household income of $51,669 ($68,251 for the state). Washington County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.3%, with the state at 3.0%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 24.6%, and the state at 34.1%.
Maryland: Somerset County
Of Maryland’s 24 counties, Somerset County has a % poverty rate of 19.8% (9.3% for the state). Somerset County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.8% (3.2% for the state) and a median household income of $52,149 ($98,461 for the state) for its population of 24,672. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher was at 16.8% (42.2% for the state).
Massachusetts: Suffolk County
With a population of 785,443 and an unemployment rate of 3.6% (3.8% for the state), Suffolk County in Massachusetts has the highest poverty rate of the 14 counties. The median household income for the county is $87,669 ($96,505 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 49.2% (45.9% for the state).
Michigan: Isabella County
Isabella County is 1 of 83 counties in Michigan and has the highest poverty rate at 23.6% (the state has a rate of 13.1%). The total population of this area is 64,938, with a median household income of $52,638 ($68,505 for the state). Isabella County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.9%, with the state at 4.2%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 30.7%, and the state at 31.1%.
Minnesota: Mahnomen County
Of Minnesota’s 87 counties, Mahnomen County has a % poverty rate of 20.6% (9.3% for the state). Mahnomen County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.9% (2.7% for the state) and a median household income of $52,739 ($84,313 for the state) for its population of 5,389. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher was at 13.7% (38.2% for the state).
Mississippi: Coahoma County
With a population of 21,264 and an unemployment rate of 5.6% (3.9% for the state), Coahoma County in Mississippi has the highest poverty rate of the 82 counties. The median household income for the county is $36,075 ($52,985 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 20.0% (23.9% for the state).
Missouri: Pemiscot County
Pemiscot County is 1 of 115 counties in Missouri and has the highest poverty rate at 29.3% (the state has a rate of 12.8%). The total population of this area is 15,555, with a median household income of $37,426 ($65,920 for the state). Pemiscot County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 3.8%, with the state at 2.5%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 11.6%, and the state at 31.2%.
Montana: Roosevelt County
Of Montana’s 52 counties, Roosevelt County has a % poverty rate of 31.5% (9.3% for the state). Roosevelt County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 3.5% (2.6% for the state) and a median household income of $51,038 ($66,341 for the state) for its population of 10,799. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher were at 19.8% (34.0% for the state).
Nebraska: Thurston County
With a population of 6,716 and an unemployment rate of 3.4% (2.3% for the state), Thurston County in Nebraska has the highest poverty rate of the 81 counties. The median household income for the county is $63,459 ($71,722 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 19.8% (33.5% for the state).
Nevada: Mineral County
Mineral County is 1 of 16 counties in Nevada and has the highest poverty rate at 18.5% (the state has a rate of 12.7%). The total population of this area is 4,568, with a median household income of $46,625 ($71,646 for the state). Mineral County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.1%, with the state at 5.4%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are at 14.6%, and the state at 26.5%.
New Hampshire: Sullivan County
Of New Hampshire’s 10 counties, Sullivan County has a % poverty rate of 11.7% (7.3% for the state). Sullivan County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 2.4% (2.5% for the state) and a median household income of $70,788 ($90,845 for the state) for its population of 43,356. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher were at 30.1% (39.0% for the state).
New Jersey: Cumberland County
With a population of 153,588 and an unemployment rate of 5.1% (3.7% for the state), Cumberland County in New Jersey has the highest poverty rate of the 21 counties. The median household income for the county is $62,310 ($97,126 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 17.3% (42.3% for the state).
New Mexico: McKinley County
McKinley County is 1 of 32 counties in New Mexico and has the highest poverty rate at 33.6% (the state has a rate of 18.3%). The total population of this area is 72,073, with a median household income of $44,029 ($58,722 for the state). McKinley County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 5.7%, with the state at 4.0%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 12.4%, and the state is 29.1%.
New York: Bronx County
Of New York’s 62 counties, Bronx County has a % poverty rate of 26.9% (13.6% for the state). Bronx County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 7.8% (4.3% for the state) and a median household income of $47,036 ($81,386 for the state) for its population of 1,443,229. Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher were at 21.2% (38.8% for the state).
North Carolina: Hyde County
With a population of 4,636 and an unemployment rate of 5.6% (3.7% for the state), Hyde County in North Carolina has the highest poverty rate of the 100 counties. The median household income for the county is $43,724 ($66,186 for the state), and the percentage of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher is 14.2% (33.9% for the state).
North Dakota: Sioux County
Sioux County is 1 of 51 counties in North Dakota and has the highest poverty rate at 39.7% (the state has a rate of 10.8%). The total population of this area is 3,896, with a median household income of $41,201 ($73,959 for the state). Sioux County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 2.6%, with the state at 2.1%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 11.5%, and the state is 31.4%.
Ohio: Athens County
Of Ohio’s 88 counties, Athens County has a % poverty rate of 24.4% (13.3% for the state). Athens County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.8% (4.0% for the state) and a median household income of $48,750 ($66,990 for the state) for its population of 61,276. Adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher were 34.3% (30.4% for the state).
Oklahoma: Okfuskee County
With a population of 11,349 and an unemployment rate of 3.9% (3.0% for the state), Okfuskee County in Oklahoma has the highest poverty rate of the 77 counties. The county’s median household income is $45,429 ($61,364 for the state), and the percentage of adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher is 12.5% (27.3% for the state).
Oregon: Lake County
Lake County is 1 of 36 counties in Oregon and has the highest poverty rate at 19.6% (the state has a rate of 11.9%). The total population of this area is 8,201, with a median household income of $54,663 ($76,632 for the state). Lake County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 5.4%, with the state at 4.2%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 19.8%, and the state is 35.5%.
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia County
Of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties, Philadelphia County has a % poverty rate of 22.7% (11.8% for the state). Philadelphia County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 5.4% (4.4% for the state) and a median household income of $57,537 ($73,170 for the state) for its population of 1,593,208. Adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher were 33.6% (33.8% for the state).
Rhode Island: Providence County
With a population of 657,984 and an unemployment rate of 3.5% (3.2% for the state), Providence County in Rhode Island has the highest poverty rate of the 5 counties. The county’s median household income is $72,579 ($81,370 for the state), and the percentage of adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher is 31.2% (36.3% for the state).
South Carolina: Dillon County
Dillon County is 1 of 46 counties in South Carolina and has the highest poverty rate at 31.6% (the state has a rate of 14.4%). The total population of this area is 28,255, with a median household income of $42,454 ($63,623 for the state). Dillon County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.6%, with the state at 3.2%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 11.9%, and the state is 30.6%.
South Dakota: Oglala Lakota County
Of South Dakota’s 66 counties, Oglala Lakota County has a % poverty rate of 55.8% (12.3% for the state). Oglala Lakota County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.9% (2.1% for the state) and a median household income of $32,279 ($69,457 for the state) for its population of 13,695. Adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher were 8.1% (30.4% for the state).
Tennessee: Hancock County
With a population of 6,726 and an unemployment rate of 4.2% (3.4% for the state), Hancock County in Tennessee has the highest poverty rate of the 95 counties. The county’s median household income is $31,809 ($64,035 for the state), and the percentage of adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher is 9.9% (29.7% for the state).
Texas: Dimmit County
Dimmit County is 1 of 246 counties in Texas and has the highest poverty rate at 43.6% (the state has a rate of 13.9%). The total population of this area is 8,672, with a median household income of $27,374 ($73,035 for the state). Dimmit County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 3.8%, with the state at 3.9%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 14.6%, and the state is 32.3%.
Utah: Piute County
Of Utah’s 28 counties, Piute County has a % poverty rate of 20.9% (8.5% for the state). Piute County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.1% (2.3% for the state) and a median household income of $33,359 ($86,833 for the state) for its population of 1,764. Adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher were 19.6% (36.1% for the state).
Vermont: Essex County
With a population of 5,976 and an unemployment rate of 4.0% (2.6% for the state), Essex County in Vermont has the highest poverty rate of the 14 counties. The county’s median household income is $55,247 ($74,014 for the state), and the percentage of adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher is 20.2% (41.7% for the state).
Virginia: Radford (independent city)
Radford, an independent city, is 1 of 133 counties and county-equivalents in Virginia and has the highest poverty rate at 33.8% (the state has a rate of 10.0%). The total population of this area is 16,379, with a median household income of $51,039 ($87,249 for the state). Radford had a 2022 unemployment rate of 3.5%, with the state at 2.9%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 44.8%, and the state is 41.0%.
Washington: Whitman County
Of Washington’s 39 counties, Whitman County has a % poverty rate of 23.9% (9.9% for the state). Whitman County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 4.7% (4.2% for the state) and a median household income of $49,345 ($90,325 for the state) for its population of 47,141. Adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher were 50.9% (38.0% for the state).
West Virginia: Calhoun County
With a population of 6,279 and an unemployment rate of 8.2% (3.9% for the state), Calhoun County in West Virginia has the highest poverty rate of the 55 counties. The county’s median household income is $39,031 ($55,217 for the state), and the percentage of adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher is 8.3% (22.7% for the state).
Wisconsin: Menominee County
Menominee County is 1 of 72 counties in Wisconsin and has the highest poverty rate at 20.0% (the state has a rate of 10.7%). The total population of this area is 4,279, with a median household income of $62,194 ($72,458 for the state). Menominee County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 5.5%, with the state at 2.9%. Adults in this county with a bachelor’s degree or higher are 18.9%, and the state is 32.0%.
Wyoming: Albany County
Of Wyoming’s 23 counties, Albany County has a % poverty rate of 23.0% (10.7% for the state). Albany County had a 2022 unemployment rate of 3.1% (3.6% for the state) and a median household income of $55,887 ($72,495 for the state) for its population of 37,525. Adults with bachelor’s degrees or higher were 55.9% (29.0% for the state).
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