America is often seen as a land of opportunity, but not every city shares equally in the nation’s prosperity. Some urban areas face significant economic and social challenges, making them among the neediest in the country. Here, we will explore the 15 neediest cities in America based on a comprehensive survey conducted by WalletHub.
Detroit, MI
Detroit leads with an overall score of 61.43. It ranks 1st in economic well-being and 5th in health & safety. Detroit faces significant challenges, with over 43% of children living in poverty and an unemployment rate of 8.90%, higher than the national average. In 2021, only 55% of working-age adults were in the labor force.
The city’s economic decline, population loss, high crime rates, educational struggles, and decaying infrastructure contribute to its status as one of the neediest cities in the United States.
Brownsville, TX
Brownsville has a total score of 57.28, ranking 9th in economic well-being and 3rd in health & safety. Brownsville faces significant challenges, with 30% of residents lacking health coverage and 35% without a computer.
Nearly half of the households lack broadband internet, highlighting technological needs. Additionally, 48% of children live in poverty, and the city has a high unemployment rate of 8%, making it one of the neediest areas in these key metrics.
Gulfport, MS
With a total score of 55.71, Gulfport is ranked 7th in economics and 6th in health & safety. Gulfport is one of the neediest cities due to several key factors. The city has a high poverty rate of 26.3%, with many residents facing economic hardships. Unemployment is also a significant issue, contributing to the overall economic distress. Additionally, Gulfport struggles with high crime rates, including a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 people and a property crime rate among the highest in Mississippi.
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland scores 54.36 overall, placed 6th in economic well-being and 12th in health & safety. Cleveland has the lowest median household income (under $41,000) and the second-highest poverty, foreclosure, and violent crime rates in the country. Additionally, it has the second-highest separation and divorce rate, with over 20% of adults experiencing frequent mental health issues. The city also faces a rising homeless population and significant sleep deprivation, with 43% of adults sleeping less than seven hours per night.
Laredo, TX
Laredo’s score of 52.93 reflects its economic struggles, ranking 26th in economic well-being and 7th in health & safety. It has the highest uninsured rate among residents, indicating significant gaps in healthcare access. Additionally, Laredo faces high food insecurity, ranking sixth in this category, and has a high percentage of homes with inadequate plumbing. The city also struggles with high child and adult poverty rates, contributing to its overall economic distress.
Jackson, MS
Jackson, with a score of 52.23, ranks 3rd in economic well-being but faces significant challenges in health, ranking 59th. The city has a high violent crime rate of 693.9 per 100,000 people and a significant poverty rate of 25.4%. The average household income is low at $38,888. Jackson also ranks second in the “Share of Delinquent Debtors” category, with over 12% of residents behind on bills, and has the 10th highest food insecurity rate. These issues, combined with high foreclosure rates and a significant homeless population, contribute to its overall economic distress.
Corpus Christi, TX
This city has a score of 52.03, ranking 52nd in economics and 4th in health & safety. The city has a high violent crime rate of 794 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly above the national average. Economic challenges also play a major role, with an estimated 15.5% of residents living below the poverty line. Additionally, Corpus Christi struggles with high food insecurity and a notable percentage of uninsured residents.
Little Rock, AR
Scoring 51.87, Little Rock ranks 16th in economic well-being and 17th in health & safety. In 2022, the poverty rate was 16.5%, and there was a 5.91% increase in this rate from the previous year. The median household income grew slightly from $56,928 to $58,697. Additionally, 8.99% of the population is uninsured. The city also struggles with high violent crime rates and significant food insecurity.
Augusta, GA
Augusta scores 51.76, with rankings of 4th in economic well-being and 76th in health & safety. The median household income is $9.6K, below the national median of $ 62.8 K. Augusta’s child poverty rate ranks 17th in the country, while adult poverty ranks 37th. The city also ranks among the top 30 for food insecurity and unemployment.
Fresno, CA
With a score of 51.67, Fresno is ranked 13th economically and 26th in health & safety. It has the highest homelessness rate in the country, with 55% of the homeless population unsheltered. The city also faces high poverty rates and severe food insecurity despite its large agricultural sector. Furthermore, the city has high school dropout rates, which further impact economic stability and growth.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans posts a score of 51.53, ranking 15th in economic well-being and 24th in health & safety. 23.8 percent of residents live in poverty, with 50% of black children under 18 affected. The median income for African American households is around $38,423. High child and adult poverty rates, significant food insecurity, and a large uninsured population further contribute to the city’s struggles.
Fort Smith, AR
Fort Smith, with a score of 51.48, has an economic rank of 69th but leads in health & safety at 1st. t has high rates of child poverty and food insecurity. The city struggles with significant uninsured rates among its population, indicating a lack of access to adequate healthcare. Economic challenges, such as limited job opportunities and low household incomes, exacerbate the situation, contributing to widespread poverty and neediness in the community.
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham’s overall score of 51.40 includes a rank of 31st in economic well-being and 8th in health & safety. The city experiences high poverty rates, significant food insecurity, and high unemployment. Additionally, Birmingham faces high levels of homelessness and bankruptcy. These economic challenges are compounded by inadequate access to healthcare, leading to high uninsured rates among residents.
Shreveport, LA
Shreveport has a score of 51.06, ranked 17th economically and 21st in health & safety. About 23.4% of Shreveport’s population lives below the poverty line, much higher than the national average of 12.5%. The city faces severe food insecurity and inadequate housing, ranking 34th for inadequate kitchens and 37th for inadequate plumbing. High rates of homelessness and a substantial number of uninsured residents exacerbate the overall economic distress.
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles scores 50.70, ranking 21st in economic well-being and 15th in health & safety. The city has high poverty rates, severe homelessness (75,518 in the county and 46,260 in the city as of 2023), and significant food insecurity. Inadequate housing conditions, including issues with kitchens and plumbing, further exacerbate living conditions. Additionally, a large uninsured population also contributes to its ranking.
