15 Places in America That Are Getting Poorer

Regional poorness is a complex issue. Many factors play into determining whether a town or city is on the decline.

Census data plays a large part in mapping out areas of concern across the country. This information helps the government determine what qualifies as poverty in a given region and whether there are significant changes that merit a closer look. Over time, it’s not unusual to see a change in a region’s status, from richer to poorer, or vice versa, as inflation and the economy wreak havoc. People also move away or have life circumstances that change the overall demographic.

Analyzing available government data between 2021 and 2022, the latest available, has helped us pinpoint some of the cities and towns on the decline throughout America. In some cases, you’ll notice the poverty rate dropped.

For those, the median household income was the deciding factor in whether each deserved a spot on this list.

1. Dover, New Jersey

Dover, New Jersey, is a town rife with a history dating back to the Industrial Revolution. Residents and visitors will find a lot of green space in its parks and some small-town attractions.

However, the area is also on a bit of a decline. From 2021 to 2022, its median household income dropped by $1,447 and poverty increased by 6.62%. The population in Dover remained relatively stagnant with an increase of 8 in the same time frame.

2. Susanville, California

Susanville, like Dover, is a historic area previously known for logging and mining back in the 19th century. It was founded following the Sagebrush War. Today, it’s still a relatively small area but has been suffering from an uptick in poverty.

The population of the town shrunk by 568 people from 2021 to 2022. In that same space, the median household income dropped by $753 and the poverty rate increased by nearly 1%.

3. Palmview, Texas

Palmview, Texas is a melting pot of cultures. It’s located in close proximity to several attractions, one of its draws.

However, Palmview took a huge hit in the poverty level, which increased 18% from 2021 to 2022. The population also increased by 591 people, but the median household income declined nearly 2%, by $827.

4. Richmond, Texas

Richmond, Texas is a draw for many because of its nod to the state’s past, present, and future. It’s also on the list of regions in the country growing poorer.

While poverty has declined 13.5%, the median household income still reflects that the region is getting poorer, decreasing by $757. More than 160 people moved to the region in that time.

5. Harrison, Arkansas

Harrison, Arkansas is a city well-known for its proximity to the Buffalo National River, and as such, draws visitors to the region for dining, entertainment, and lodging.

In 2022, its population was just over 13,000, a growth of 0.55% from the year prior. However, the poverty rate went up by 0.30%, while the median household income declined by 1.66%.

6. Gatesville, Texas

Gateway is known as the spur capital of Texas, with the Coryell Museum displaying more than 10,000 pairs. It’s also home to several prisons and was once part of the old railway systems.

Sadly, the region is also becoming poorer. The population declined in 2022, by 149, and so did the median household income by 1.99%, or $944. However, the poverty level actually decreased by 11.5%.

7. Naranja, Florida

Naranja, Florida is named for the many orange groves that once populated the area. It was also designated one of the old railroad towns.

In 2022, the population had grown by 2.76% to 13,261, but the poverty rate escalated significantly, too, by a whopping 15.3%. At the same time, the median household income declined by $698.

8. Ridgefield, Washington

Ridgefield, Washington has ties to the old days of Lewis and Clark and a rich Native American history. There are plenty of green spaces and historic attractions for residents and tourists.

Poverty was the killer from 2021 to 2022, as it skyrocketed by 72.2% in just a single year. The median household income decreased by $553, while the population grew by just over 10%.

9. Woodlyn, Pennsylvania

Woodlyn, Pennsylvania is a family-friendly area rich with eateries, parks, and good schools. Some of the statistics, however, show that the region may be poorer than in the past.

Woodlyn is home to just over 10,000 residents with a 2022 median household income of $66,818, which is $535 less than the year prior. In some respects, things were looking up as the poverty rate, 6.22%, was nearly 24% lower than the year prior.

10. Vermillion, South Dakota

A college town, Vermillion, South Dakota is home to a mostly young population, where the median age is 23. It’s known for its gorgeous landscape and entertainment attractions.

Not only did the median household income go down, the poverty rate increased by 5.58%. Additionally, the population grew by about 1%.

11. Dent, Ohio

Dent, Ohio is a quiet suburb named for its valley location. There are family-friendly activities and Veterans Park, a 25-acre expanse of green space complete with a walking trail.

Looking at its statistics, however, Dent is slowly getting poorer. In 2022, the poverty rate went up 6.53% from the year prior, and the median household income declined by $264. The population, however, grew 5.39%.

12. Lewisburg, Tennessee

Lewisburg, Tennessee is known for its love of animals, horses and goats, in particular. It’s home to the Goats, Music & More festival, as well as several wineries and parks.

The median household income dropped $485 to $45,938 while property value increased 25.8%, potentially causing some affordability issues. The poverty rate also grew exponentially, a 20.4% increase to 24.7%. Meanwhile, the population only grew just over 2%.

13. Winder, Georgia

Located northeast of Atlanta, Winder, Georgia is home to many parks and historic markers. It was settled in 1793 and was originally called “The Jug.”

The poverty level in Winder increased 2.22% to hit 14.2%, while at the same time, the median household income went down $698. The population grew by 3.64%, or 646 people.

14. White City, Oregon

White City, Oregon is a city rich in military history. Camp White, a base from WWII, was once located there, and the VA clinics from those dates still stand.

In terms of stats, the city is on the decline with a $484 drop in median household income and a 10.1% increase in the poverty rate. Housing values have gone up 30.8% in that same time frame, while there’s also been a 9.58% population boom.

15. East Riverdale, Maryland

Located in Prince Georges County, East Riverdale is unincorporated. It’s more of a quiet community with some parks and shopping, but not many attractions.

Here, the poverty level, in just one year, increased by 23.4%. The median household income declined a little bit, but the population saw a growth of 5.51%.