Philadelphia holds the distinction of being considered the poorest big city in the United States.
This designation is widely recognized due to the persistent nature of the issue. When researchers and data analysts refer to Philadelphia as "America's poorest big city," it carries a specific, data-driven meaning.
Understanding the Definition
The classification of Philadelphia as the poorest big city is based on a clear set of criteria:
- Population Size: The term specifically applies to cities within the top 10 most populous cities across the United States. This narrows the scope to major metropolitan centers.
- Poverty Rate: Among these top 10 most populous cities, Philadelphia consistently exhibits the highest poverty rate. This metric measures the percentage of the population living below the poverty threshold.
Therefore, while other cities might have high poverty rates or concentrations of poverty, Philadelphia's distinction as "America's poorest big city" refers to its position relative to other major U.S. population hubs. This long-standing issue has made the phrase as common as the problem itself.
