In a previous study we conducted, we analyzed and identified the richest counties in the United States. in every state. Now, it’s time to look at the other end of the spectrum, namely, analyzing and identifying the poorest counties in the U.S. Using data from the U.S. Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, we analyzed each and every county in the U.S. in terms of their incomes. Here’s a look at the results of our study.
Here Are the Poorest Counties in the U.S. in 2021
When analyzing the thousands of counties in the U.S., there are some clear geographic patterns that emerge among the poorest counties in America. Namely, the U.S. South, including the South Atlantic (like Georgia and South Carolina), the Gulf states, the Southwest, and the Upper South (like Kentucky and West Virginia), dominates the list of the poorest counties in the U.S. Overall, based on the latest income data from the Census Bureau. The poorest county in America is Holmes County, Mississippi, with a median household income of $21,504. By contrast, the richest county in the U.S. is Loudoun County, Virginia, which boasts a median household income of $142,299. This high-income county is located right near the nation’s capital, in the bustling and wealthy Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area.
The poorest counties in America tend to not be near major urban, economic centers. Instead, they tend to be more rural or lay just outside easy commuting distance to the closest metropolis. Read on to find out the poorest counties in America in 2021.
Alabama
Poorest county in Alabama: Perry County
Median household income: $23,447
Alaska
Poorest county in Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area
Median household income: $36,754
Arizona
Poorest county in Arizona: Apache County
Median household income: $32,508
Arkansas
Poorest country in Arkansas: Phillips County
Median household income: $29,320
California
Poorest country in California: Trinity County
Median household income: $40,846
Colorado
Poorest county in Colorado: Bent County
Median household income: $30,900
Connecticut
Poorest county in Connecticut: Windham County
Median household income: $66,550
Delaware
Poorest county in Delaware: Kent County
Median household income: $60,910
Florida
Poorest county in Florida: DeSoto County
Median household income: $35,438
Georgia
Poorest county in Georgia: Clay County
Median household income: $22,325
Hawaii
Poorest county in Hawaii: Hawaii County
Median household income: $62,409
Idaho
Poorest county in Idaho: Madison County
Median household income: $39,160
Illinois
Poorest county in Illinois: Pulaski County
Median household income: $34,640
Indiana
Poorest county in Indiana: Crawford County
Median household income: $41,662
Iowa
Poorest county in Iowa: Appanoose County
Median household income: $40,167
Kansas
Poorest county in Kansas: Elk County
Median household income: $38,750
Kentucky
Poorest county in Kentucky: Wolfe County
Median household income: $24,623
Louisiana
Poorest county in Louisiana: East Carroll Parish
Median household income: $22,346
Maine
Poorest county in Maine: Piscataquis County
Median household income: $40,890
Maryland
Poorest county in Maryland: Somerset County
Median household income: $37,803
Massachusetts
Poorest county in Massachusetts: Hampden County
Median household income: $55,429
Michigan
Poorest county in Michigan: Lake County
Median household income: $37,320
Minnesota
Poorest county in Minnesota: Mahnomen County
Median household income: $44,688
Mississippi
Poorest county in Mississippi: Holmes County
Median household income: $21,504
Missouri
Poorest county in Missouri: Ozark County
Median household income: $31,947
Montana
Poorest county in Montana: Glacier County
Median household income: $36,045
Nebraska
Richest county in Nebraska: Sarpy County
Median household income: $82,032
Nevada
Poorest county in Nevada: Mineral County
Median household income: $35,806
New Hampshire
Poorest county in New Hampshire: Coos County
Median household income: $47,117
New Jersey
Poorest county in New Jersey: Cumberland County
Median household income: $54,149
New York
Poorest county in New York: Bronx County
Median household income: $40,088
New Mexico
Poorest county in New Mexico: Guadalupe County
Median household income: $24,798
North Carolina
Poorest county in North Carolina: Robeson County
Median household income: $34,976
North Dakota
Poorest county in North Dakota: Sioux County
Median household income: $38,939
Ohio
Poorest county in Ohio: Adams County
Median household income: $39,079
Oklahoma
Poorest county in Oklahoma: Choctaw County
Median household income: $34,489
Oregon
Poorest county in Oregon: Lake County
Median household income: $37,898
Pennsylvania
Poorest county in Pennsylvania: Forest County
Median household income: $39,717
Rhode Island
Poorest county in Rhode Island: Providence County
Median household income: $58,974
South Carolina
Poorest county in South Carolina: Allendale County
Median household income: $27,185
South Dakota
Poorest county in South Dakota: Todd County
Median household income: $24,331
Tennessee
Poorest county in Tennessee: Hancock County
Median household income: $30,136
Texas
Poorest county in Texas: Presidio County
Median household income: $25,098
Utah
Poorest county in Utah: Piute County
Median household income: $42,813
Vermont
Poorest county in Vermont: Essex County
Median household income: $44,349
Virginia
Poorest county in Virginia: Dickenson County
Median household income: $29,932
Washington
Poorest county in Washington: Ferry County
Median household income: $41,939
West Virginia
Poorest county in West Virginia: McDowell County
Median household income: $27,682
Wisconsin
Poorest county in Wisconsin: Menominee County
Median household income: $40,921
Wyoming
Poorest county in Wyoming: Niobrara County
Median household income: $39,150