In a previous study we conducted, we analyzed and identified the richest counties in the United States. in every state. Now, it’s time to look at the other end of the spectrum, namely, analyzing and identifying the poorest counties in the U.S. Using data from the U.S. Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, we analyzed each and every county in the U.S. in terms of their incomes. Here’s a look at the results of our study.

Here Are the Poorest Counties in the U.S. in 2021

When analyzing the thousands of counties in the U.S., there are some clear geographic patterns that emerge among the poorest counties in America. Namely, the U.S. South, including the South Atlantic (like Georgia and South Carolina), the Gulf states, the Southwest, and the Upper South (like Kentucky and West Virginia), dominates the list of the poorest counties in the U.S. Overall, based on the latest income data from the Census Bureau. The poorest county in America is Holmes County, Mississippi, with a median household income of $21,504. By contrast, the richest county in the U.S. is Loudoun County, Virginia, which boasts a median household income of $142,299. This high-income county is located right near the nation’s capital, in the bustling and wealthy Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area.

The poorest counties in America tend to not be near major urban, economic centers. Instead, they tend to be more rural or lay just outside easy commuting distance to the closest metropolis. Read on to find out the poorest counties in America in 2021.

Alabama

Poorest county in Alabama: Perry County

Median household income: $23,447

Alaska

Poorest county in Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area

Median household income: $36,754

Arizona

Poorest county in Arizona: Apache County

Median household income: $32,508

Arkansas

Poorest country in Arkansas: Phillips County

Median household income: $29,320

California

Poorest country in California: Trinity County

Median household income: $40,846

Colorado

Poorest county in Colorado: Bent County

Median household income: $30,900

Connecticut

Poorest county in Connecticut: Windham County

Median household income: $66,550

Delaware

Poorest county in Delaware: Kent County

Median household income: $60,910

Florida

Poorest county in Florida: DeSoto County

Median household income: $35,438

Georgia

Poorest county in Georgia: Clay County

Median household income: $22,325

Hawaii

Poorest county in Hawaii: Hawaii County

Median household income: $62,409

Idaho

Poorest county in Idaho: Madison County

Median household income: $39,160

Illinois

Poorest county in Illinois: Pulaski County

Median household income: $34,640

Indiana

Poorest county in Indiana: Crawford County

Median household income: $41,662

Iowa

Poorest county in Iowa: Appanoose County

Median household income: $40,167

Kansas

Poorest county in Kansas: Elk County

Median household income: $38,750

Kentucky

Poorest county in Kentucky: Wolfe County

Median household income: $24,623

Louisiana

Poorest county in Louisiana: East Carroll Parish

Median household income: $22,346

Maine

Poorest county in Maine: Piscataquis County

Median household income: $40,890

Maryland

Poorest county in Maryland: Somerset County

Median household income: $37,803

Massachusetts

Poorest county in Massachusetts: Hampden County

Median household income: $55,429

Michigan

Poorest county in Michigan: Lake County

Median household income: $37,320

Minnesota

Poorest county in Minnesota: Mahnomen County

Median household income: $44,688

Mississippi

Poorest county in Mississippi: Holmes County

Median household income: $21,504

Missouri

Poorest county in Missouri: Ozark County

Median household income: $31,947

Montana

Poorest county in Montana: Glacier County

Median household income: $36,045

Nebraska

Richest county in Nebraska: Sarpy County

Median household income: $82,032

Nevada

Poorest county in Nevada: Mineral County

Median household income: $35,806

New Hampshire

Poorest county in New Hampshire: Coos County

Median household income: $47,117

New Jersey

Poorest county in New Jersey: Cumberland County

Median household income: $54,149

New York

Poorest county in New York: Bronx County

Median household income: $40,088

New Mexico

Poorest county in New Mexico: Guadalupe County

Median household income: $24,798

North Carolina

Poorest county in North Carolina: Robeson County

Median household income: $34,976

North Dakota

Poorest county in North Dakota: Sioux County

Median household income: $38,939

Ohio

Poorest county in Ohio: Adams County

Median household income: $39,079

Oklahoma

Poorest county in Oklahoma: Choctaw County

Median household income: $34,489

Oregon

Poorest county in Oregon: Lake County

Median household income: $37,898

Pennsylvania

Poorest county in Pennsylvania: Forest County

Median household income: $39,717

Rhode Island

Poorest county in Rhode Island: Providence County

Median household income: $58,974

South Carolina

Poorest county in South Carolina: Allendale County

Median household income: $27,185

South Dakota

Poorest county in South Dakota: Todd County

Median household income: $24,331

Tennessee

Poorest county in Tennessee: Hancock County

Median household income: $30,136

Texas

Poorest county in Texas: Presidio County

Median household income: $25,098

Utah

Poorest county in Utah: Piute County

Median household income: $42,813

Vermont

Poorest county in Vermont: Essex County

Median household income: $44,349

Virginia

Poorest county in Virginia: Dickenson County

Median household income: $29,932

Washington

Poorest county in Washington: Ferry County

Median household income: $41,939

West Virginia

Poorest county in West Virginia: McDowell County

Median household income: $27,682

Wisconsin

Poorest county in Wisconsin: Menominee County

Median household income: $40,921

Wyoming

Poorest county in Wyoming: Niobrara County

Median household income: $39,150