The Town in Every State Where It’s Becoming Hardest To Get Ahead

Across America, many small towns are still dealing with challenges that make everyday life harder for families. Limited job options, lower household incomes, rising costs, and fewer paths to economic mobility can all affect how far a paycheck goes and what opportunities are available for kids growing up there.

To find the most financially strained town in every state, this list uses five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The ranking focuses on communities with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 people and compares towns by median household income. The results show how different life can look from one small town to another, and how wide the gap can be between struggling communities and the rest of their state.

• Household income (median): $38,323 (Alaska: $86,370)
• Poverty rate: 15.7% (Alaska: 10.5%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.7% (Alaska: 30.7%)
• Home value (median): $208,700 (Alaska: $318,000)
• Population: 1,543

• Household income (median): $18,839 (Georgia: $71,355)
• Poverty rate: 41.6% (Georgia: 13.5%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.0% (Georgia: 33.6%)
• Home value (median): $64,800 (Georgia: $245,900)
• Population: 1,014

• Household income (median): $31,130 (Connecticut: $90,213)
• Poverty rate: 40.5% (Connecticut: 10.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 17.4% (Connecticut: 41.4%)
• Home value (median): $188,900 (Connecticut: $323,700)
• Population: 1,353

• Household income (median): $21,057 (Arkansas: $56,335)
• Poverty rate: 38.6% (Arkansas: 16.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 4.9% (Arkansas: 24.7%)
• Home value (median): $76,200 (Arkansas: $162,400)
• Population: 3,575

• Household income (median): $33,534 (Delaware: $79,325)
• Poverty rate: 19.9% (Delaware: 11.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.9% (Delaware: 34.5%)
• Home value (median): $151,400 (Delaware: $305,200)
• Population: 1,304

• Household income (median): $31,418 (Colorado: $87,598)
• Poverty rate: 46.1% (Colorado: 9.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.1% (Colorado: 43.7%)
• Home value (median): $101,200 (Colorado: $465,900)
• Population: 3,850

• Household income (median): $20,542 (Alabama: $59,609)
• Poverty rate: 43.8% (Alabama: 15.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 5.5% (Alabama: 27.2%)
• Home value (median): $65,400 (Alabama: $179,400)
• Population: 1,734

• Household income (median): $18,250 (Arizona: $72,581)
• Poverty rate: 76.1% (Arizona: 13.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 3.1% (Arizona: 31.8%)
• Home value (median): $72,400 (Arizona: $321,400)
• Population: 1,419

• Household income (median): $23,969 (Florida: $67,917)
• Poverty rate: 62.2% (Florida: 12.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 17.0% (Florida: 32.3%)
• Home value (median): $175,200 (Florida: $292,200)
• Population: 4,868

• Household income (median): $21,651 (California: $91,905)
• Poverty rate: 48.0% (California: 12.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 0.5% (California: 35.9%)
• Home value (median): $126,500 (California: $659,300)
• Population: 2,788

• Household income (median): $34,803 (Idaho: $70,214)
• Poverty rate: 22.6% (Idaho: 11.0%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.9% (Idaho: 30.2%)
• Home value (median): $193,200 (Idaho: $331,600)
• Population: 1,210

• Household income (median): $25,278 (Maine: $68,251)
• Poverty rate: 36.3% (Maine: 10.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 23.0% (Maine: 34.1%)
• Home value (median): $111,800 (Maine: $244,800)
• Population: 1,331

• Household income (median): $18,790 (Louisiana: $57,852)
• Poverty rate: 49.6% (Louisiana: 18.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.6% (Louisiana: 26.1%)
• Home value (median): $60,900 (Louisiana: $198,300)
• Population: 1,093

• Household income (median): $23,750 (Kansas: $69,747)
• Poverty rate: 26.1% (Kansas: 11.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.4% (Kansas: 34.7%)
• Home value (median): $60,500 (Kansas: $189,300)
• Population: 1,022

• Household income (median): $24,491 (Illinois: $78,433)
• Poverty rate: 30.0% (Illinois: 11.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.6% (Illinois: 36.7%)
• Home value (median): $82,800 (Illinois: $239,100)
• Population: 1,278

• Household income (median): $41,629 (Iowa: $70,571)
• Poverty rate: 17.5% (Iowa: 11.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.7% (Iowa: 30.3%)
• Home value (median): $97,000 (Iowa: $181,600)
• Population: 5,934

• Household income (median): $26,599 (Indiana: $67,173)
• Poverty rate: 51.3% (Indiana: 12.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 2.3% (Indiana: 28.2%)
• Home value (median): $84,600 (Indiana: $183,600)
• Population: 1,101

• Household income (median): $21,250 (Kentucky: $60,183)
• Poverty rate: 39.6% (Kentucky: 16.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.1% (Kentucky: 26.5%)
• Home value (median): $97,000 (Kentucky: $177,000)
• Population: 1,218

• Household income (median): $28,808 (Maryland: $98,461)
• Poverty rate: 33.6% (Maryland: 9.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.2% (Maryland: 42.2%)
• Home value (median): N/A (Maryland: $380,500)
• Population: 1,008

• Household income (median): $23,750 (Hawaii: $94,814)
• Poverty rate: 36.8% (Hawaii: 9.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 29.8% (Hawaii: 34.7%)
• Home value (median): $226,300 (Hawaii: $764,800)
• Population: 1,611

• Household income (median): $37,177 (Minnesota: $84,313)
• Poverty rate: 20.5% (Minnesota: 9.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 22.2% (Minnesota: 38.2%)
• Home value (median): $166,900 (Minnesota: $286,800)
• Population: 2,153

• Household income (median): $17,940 (Mississippi: $52,985)
• Poverty rate: 53.0% (Mississippi: 19.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.4% (Mississippi: 23.9%)
• Home value (median): $95,300 (Mississippi: $151,000)
• Population: 1,871

• Household income (median): $40,222 (Nebraska: $71,722)
• Poverty rate: 13.3% (Nebraska: 10.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.8% (Nebraska: 33.5%)
• Home value (median): $86,900 (Nebraska: $205,600)
• Population: 4,124

• Household income (median): $25,587 (Michigan: $68,505)
• Poverty rate: 39.2% (Michigan: 13.1%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.8% (Michigan: 31.1%)
• Home value (median): $94,000 (Michigan: $201,100)
• Population: 1,030

• Household income (median): $25,313 (Montana: $66,341)
• Poverty rate: 20.0% (Montana: 12.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 16.3% (Montana: 34.0%)
• Home value (median): $196,000 (Montana: $305,700)
• Population: 1,181

• Household income (median): $22,143 (Missouri: $65,920)
• Poverty rate: 41.9% (Missouri: 12.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 5.8% (Missouri: 31.2%)
• Home value (median): $107,800 (Missouri: $199,400)
• Population: 1,125

• Household income (median): $29,821 (New Jersey: $97,126)
• Poverty rate: 40.5% (New Jersey: 9.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.3% (New Jersey: 42.3%)
• Home value (median): $143,400 (New Jersey: $401,400)
• Population: 4,841

• Household income (median): $40,559 (New Hampshire: $90,845)
• Poverty rate: 32.5% (New Hampshire: 7.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 21.6% (New Hampshire: 39.0%)
• Home value (median): $163,600 (New Hampshire: $337,100)
• Population: 1,520

• Household income (median): $44,107 (Massachusetts: $96,505)
• Poverty rate: 15.4% (Massachusetts: 9.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 18.8% (Massachusetts: 45.9%)
• Home value (median): $201,100 (Massachusetts: $483,900)
• Population: 6,253

• Household income (median): $35,931 (Nevada: $71,646)
• Poverty rate: 20.1% (Nevada: 12.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.5% (Nevada: 26.5%)
• Home value (median): $163,100 (Nevada: $373,800)
• Population: 1,777

• Household income (median): $24,118 (New Mexico: $58,722)
• Poverty rate: 69.8% (New Mexico: 18.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 4.4% (New Mexico: 29.1%)
• Home value (median): $9,999 (New Mexico: $216,000)
• Population: 1,081

• Household income (median): $16,643 (North Carolina: $66,186)
• Poverty rate: 64.2% (North Carolina: 13.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 4.2% (North Carolina: 33.9%)
• Home value (median): $112,500 (North Carolina: $234,900)
• Population: 1,233

• Household income (median): $19,770 (South Carolina: $63,623)
• Poverty rate: 38.0% (South Carolina: 14.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.2% (South Carolina: 30.6%)
• Home value (median): $45,500 (South Carolina: $216,200)
• Population: 1,159

• Household income (median): $29,336 (Oregon: $76,632)
• Poverty rate: 31.6% (Oregon: 11.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.4% (Oregon: 35.5%)
• Home value (median): $192,400 (Oregon: $423,100)
• Population: 3,208

• Household income (median): $27,488 (New York: $81,386)
• Poverty rate: 64.2% (New York: 13.6%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 2.4% (New York: 38.8%)
• Home value (median): $562,500 (New York: $384,100)
• Population: 9,578

• Household income (median): $43,092 (Rhode Island: $81,370)
• Poverty rate: 24.4% (Rhode Island: 11.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 9.1% (Rhode Island: 36.3%)
• Home value (median): $244,100 (Rhode Island: $343,100)
• Population: 22,359

• Household income (median): $27,798 (Oklahoma: $61,364)
• Poverty rate: 30.7% (Oklahoma: 15.2%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.5% (Oklahoma: 27.3%)
• Home value (median): $85,400 (Oklahoma: $170,500)
• Population: 2,361

• Household income (median): $27,212 (Pennsylvania: $73,170)
• Poverty rate: 30.9% (Pennsylvania: 11.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 11.7% (Pennsylvania: 33.8%)
• Home value (median): $43,800 (Pennsylvania: $226,200)
• Population: 1,814

• Household income (median): $14,676 (Ohio: $66,990)
• Poverty rate: 62.9% (Ohio: 13.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.2% (Ohio: 30.4%)
• Home value (median): $74,800 (Ohio: $183,300)
• Population: 3,140

• Household income (median): $30,234 (North Dakota: $73,959)
• Poverty rate: 41.7% (North Dakota: 10.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 0.0% (North Dakota: 31.4%)
• Home value (median): $36,200 (North Dakota: $232,500)
• Population: 1,042

• Household income (median): $29,375 (Wisconsin: $72,458)
• Poverty rate: 35.2% (Wisconsin: 10.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 13.6% (Wisconsin: 32.0%)
• Home value (median): $89,000 (Wisconsin: $231,400)
• Population: 1,755

• Household income (median): $41,780 (Utah: $86,833)
• Poverty rate: 33.5% (Utah: 8.5%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 14.9% (Utah: 36.1%)
• Home value (median): $204,600 (Utah: $408,500)
• Population: 1,070

• Household income (median): $23,173 (West Virginia: $55,217)
• Poverty rate: 32.0% (West Virginia: 16.8%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.2% (West Virginia: 22.7%)
• Home value (median): $96,900 (West Virginia: $145,800)
• Population: 3,035

• Household income (median): $23,897 (Tennessee: $64,035)
• Poverty rate: 43.4% (Tennessee: 14.0%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 6.5% (Tennessee: 29.7%)
• Home value (median): $82,300 (Tennessee: $232,100)
• Population: 1,590

• Household income (median): $40,000 (Wyoming: $72,495)
• Poverty rate: 27.1% (Wyoming: 10.7%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 10.1% (Wyoming: 29.0%)
• Home value (median): $160,700 (Wyoming: $269,900)
• Population: 1,481

• Household income (median): $40,446 (Vermont: $74,014)
• Poverty rate: 21.2% (Vermont: 10.4%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 27.6% (Vermont: 41.7%)
• Home value (median): $210,900 (Vermont: $272,400)
• Population: 2,817

• Household income (median): $18,750 (South Dakota: $69,457)
• Poverty rate: 91.5% (South Dakota: 12.3%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 3.1% (South Dakota: 30.4%)
• Home value (median): N/A (South Dakota: $219,500)
• Population: 1,021

• Household income (median): $34,750 (Washington: $90,325)
• Poverty rate: 32.7% (Washington: 9.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 8.7% (Washington: 38.0%)
• Home value (median): $160,900 (Washington: $473,400)
• Population: 1,753

• Household income (median): $18,289 (Texas: $73,035)
• Poverty rate: 56.4% (Texas: 13.9%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 3.6% (Texas: 32.3%)
• Home value (median): $28,700 (Texas: $238,000)
• Population: 1,099

• Household income (median): $16,830 (Virginia: $87,249)
• Poverty rate: 55.7% (Virginia: 10.0%)
• Residents with a bachelor's degree or higher: 12.7% (Virginia: 41.0%)
• Home value (median): $113,900 (Virginia: $339,800)
• Population: 1,259