Arkansas is considered a poor state. It is identified as one of the states with the highest percentages of poverty in the country.
Arkansas's Economic Standing
When evaluating the economic standing of states, one key indicator is the poverty rate. While the national poverty rate was 12.7% in 2023 (an increase from 12.4% in 2022), Arkansas ranks among those with significantly higher percentages of its population living below the poverty line.
This places Arkansas in a group of states facing considerable economic challenges. Its inclusion on lists of states with the highest poverty rates underscores its status as an economically disadvantaged region within the United States.
States with High Poverty Rates
Arkansas is part of a group of states and territories that experience some of the highest poverty percentages nationwide. This list includes:
- Puerto Rico
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Mexico
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
- Oklahoma
- Arkansas
- New York
- Tennessee
Understanding a state's economic status involves looking at various factors, but poverty rates provide a clear indication of the financial well-being of its residents. For Arkansas, its consistent presence on lists of states with high poverty rates clearly positions it as an economically poor state.
