10 Poorest States in the US, Here’s the List

JAKARTA – United States (US) is an example of a developed country, but that doesn’t mean it AS can escape poverty. Nearly 38 million people live below the line poverty in the United States, making up 11.6% of the population, based on 2021 data.

Social disparities remain visible across the country, with Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics being the most impacted communities. Inequality in economic prosperity between countries can be caused by a number of factors, including geographic location, local government economic policies, and access to resources.

In this case, what is also observed in the list of the 10 poorest states in the United States is the relationship between poverty and the level of education in a state. The ranking of the poorest states in the US uses two metrics, namely the poverty rate and the level of education in each state.

As reported by Insidermonkey, both data come from the 2021 US Census Bureau report. The poverty rate for each state is determined. The level of education is further broken down into two areas.

The first group is residents between 18 and 24 years old who have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, followed by residents 25 and older who have a bachelor’s degree. Equal weight is given to poverty and education level, then added together to obtain an aggregate score.

In cases where scores in two or more states are equal, the poverty rate is used as a determinant of whether one state outperforms another.

Here are the 10 poorest states in the United States:

10. Georgia

Poverty Rate: 13.1%
Population between 18 and 24 years old with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree: 37.3%
Population aged 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree: 20.9%

Score: 1.52

Georgia is the eighth most populous state in the United States known for hosting the Masters Golf Tournament, and as home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site. As of 2021, an estimated 13.1% of Georgia residents live in poverty, 37.3% of the age group is considered to have a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, and only 20.9% of those 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree.

9. Alabama

Poverty Rate: 14.5%
Population aged 18-24 with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree: 41.2%
Population aged 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree: 16.6%

Score: 1.57

Alabama is home to important landmarks of the Civil Rights Movement. 14.5% of the state’s population lives in conditions of poverty. Birmingham is the poorest city in Alabama having a poverty rate of 28.3%. The state ranks fairly low in college degree attainment, but ranks well in terms of young people having a bachelor’s or associate’s degree.

8. Mississippi

Poverty Rate: 18.1%
Population between 18 and 24 years old with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree: 43.3%
Population aged 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree: 15.4%

Score: 1.58

Mississippi is the poorest state in America in terms of poverty rate, with 18.1% of its population living below the poverty line. The capital, Jackson, is one of the poorest cities in the country with more than three out of every ten residents living in poverty.

Only 15.4% of residents aged 25 and over have a bachelor’s degree. However, an encouraging trend is seen in the younger generation aged between 18 and 24 years. About 43.3% of them had a bachelor’s or associate’s degree in 2021, which bodes well for the future if they decide to pursue higher education.

7. Nevada

Poverty Rate: 12.1%
Population aged 18 to 24 with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree: 35.2%
Population aged 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree: 17.9%

Score: 1.60

Nevada, famous for its casinos and diverse life is located in the western region of the United States. More than 12 in 100 people in the state live below the poverty line. The state’s education level scores low compared to the national average.

6. Kentucky

Poverty Rate: 14.6%
Population between 18 and 24 years old with a bachelor’s or associate’s degree: 39.5%
Population aged 25 years and over with a bachelor’s degree: 15.9%