50 Counties with Highest Levels of PovertyListed below are the 50 poorest counties in the United States. Nationwide there are 84 counties in which at least 1 out of 3 people are living in poverty. In parentheses is the county seat of government. (Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1997). These counties include Indian Reservations in the West, majority black counties along the Mississippi River and in Southern Alabama and Southwestern Georgia, majority white counties in Southeastern Kentucky and Southern West Virginia, and majority Mexican populations in counties along the border with Mexico in South Texas. Areas of Alaska with large Eskimo and Aleut populations are also included.
1- Starr, TX (Rio Grande City) - 46.7%
2- Ziebach, SD (Dupree) - 46.6%
3- Todd, SD (Rosebud) - 46.1%
4- Zavala, TX (Crystal City) - 45.2 %
5- Shannon, SD (Pine Ridge) - 42.9%
6- East Carroll, LA (Lake Providence) - 42.7%
7- Owsley, KY (Booneville) - 40.9%
8- Dimmit, TX (Carrizo Springs) - 40.2%
9- Apache, AZ (Saint Johns) - 39.7%
9- Maverick, TX (Eagle Pass) - 39.7%
9- Willacy, TX (Raymondville) - 39.7%
10- Wade Hampton, AK (Hooper Bay) - 39.4%
11- Buffalo, SD (Gannvalley) - 38.9%
12- Brooks, TX (Falfurrias) - 38.4%
13- Lee, AR (Marianna) - 38.0%
14- Hidalgo, TX (Edinburg) - 37.6%
15- Phillips, AR (Helena) - 37.5%
16- Sioux, ND (Fort Yates) - 37.4%
16- Corson, SD (McIntosh) - 37.4%
17- Perry, AL (Marion) - 36.6%
17- Wolfe, KY (Campton) - 36.6%
18- Wilcox, AL (Camden) - 36.1%
18- Bennett, SD (Martin) - 36.1%
19- Holmes, MS (Lexington) - 36.0%
20- Sharkey, MS (Rolling Fork) - 35.9%
21- Presidio, TX (Marfa) - 35.6%
22- Greene, AL (Eutaw) - 35.5%
23- La Salle, TX (Cotulla) - 35.4%
24- McCreary, KY (Whitley City) - 35.3%
24- Cameron, TX (Brownsville) - 35.3%
25- Allendale, SC (Allendale) - 35.1%
26- Frio, TX (Pearsall) - 35.0%
27- McKinley, NM (Gallup) - 34.7%
28- Lee, KY (Beattyville) - 34.6%
29- Sunflower, MS (Indianola) - 34.3%
30- Chicot, AR (Lake Village) - 33.8%
30- Tensas, LA (Saint Joseph) - 33.8%
31- Clay, KY (Manchester) - 33.7%
32- Magoffin, KY (Salyersville) - 33.6%
32- Glacier, MT (Cut Bank) - 33.6%
33- Costilla, CO (San Luis) - 33.5%
33- Jackson, SD (Kadoka) - 33.5%
34- Mellette, SD (White River) - 33.4%
35- Issaquena, MS (Mayersville) - 33.2%
36- Sumter, AL (Livingston) - 33.1%
36- Bethel, AK (Bethel) - 33.1%
37- Breathitt, KY (Jackson) - 32.9%
37- Dewey, SD (Timber Lake) - 32.9%
37- Hudspeth, TX (Sierra Blanca) - 32.9%
38- Madison, LA (Tallulah) - 32.6%
38- Culberson, TX (Van Horn) - 32.6%
38- Webb, TX (Laredo) - 32.6%
39- Clay, GA (Fort Gaines) - 32.3%
39- Morgan, KY (West Liberty) - 32.3%
40- Crowley, CO (Ordway) - 32.2%
40- Randolph, GA (Cuthbert) - 32.2%
41- Zapata, TX (Zapata) - 32.1%
42- Humphreys, MS (Belzoni) - 32.0%
43- Macon, AL (Tuskegee) - 31.9%
43- Duval, TX (San Diego) - 31.9%
44- Lowndes, AL (Hayneville) - 31.5%
44- Quitman, MS (Marks) - 31.5%
44- Harmon, OK (Hollis) - 31.5%
45- Socorro, NM (Socorro) - 31.4%
45- McDowell, WV (Welch) - 31.4%
46- Knox, KY (Barbourville) - 31.3%
47- Roosevelt, MT (Wolf Point) - 31.1%
48- Woodruff, AR (Augusta) - 30.9%
49- Jackson, KY (McKee) - 30.8%
49- Martin, KY (Inez) - 30.8%
49- Edwards, TX (Rocksprings) - 30.8%
50- Rolette, ND (Rolla) - 30.7%
Last Updated: January 2, 2001
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