The poorest place in the United States, based on median household income estimates from the 2013–2017 American Community Survey, is Little River CDP.
Little River is a Census-Designated Place (CDP) located in Mendocino County, California. While the question specifically asks about a "town," official data on lowest incomes often includes CDPs, which are statistical entities representing concentrations of population, but not necessarily incorporated municipalities like towns or cities.
Understanding Poverty in U.S. Places
Determining the "poorest" place typically relies on median household income as a primary metric. This figure represents the income level at which half of the households earn more and half earn less. Places with very low median household incomes often face significant economic challenges.
The data from the 2013–2017 American Community Survey highlights several small places with exceptionally low median household incomes. These are generally areas with small populations, which can sometimes lead to more volatile income statistics compared to larger cities or towns.
Places with the Lowest Incomes (2013-2017 ACS Estimates)
The following table presents some of the places identified with the lowest median household incomes during the specified survey period:
| Rank | Place | Population (2013–2017 ACS estimates) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little River CDP | 82 |
| 2 | Villanueva CDP | 111 |
| 3 | Nottoway Court House CDP | 137 |
| 4 | Lower Santan Village CDP | 395 |
Source: Data derived from the List of lowest-income places in the United States.
Factors Contributing to Low Incomes
Several factors can contribute to a place having a very low median household income:
- Economic Decline: Loss of major industries or employment opportunities can devastate local economies.
- Limited Access to Resources: Remote locations may have poor infrastructure, limited access to education, healthcare, and job markets.
- Aging Population: Communities with a large proportion of retirees on fixed incomes or a lack of younger, working-age residents can show lower median incomes.
- Small Population Size: In very small communities, a few households with extremely low or no income can significantly skew the median for the entire place.
- Demographics: High unemployment rates, underemployment, or a reliance on social assistance programs can contribute to lower overall household incomes.
While Little River CDP stands out based on the 2013-2017 data, economic conditions are dynamic, and these rankings can change over time with new census surveys and economic shifts.
