RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 6,058

Most residents in poverty, US cities · 1990

US cities with the most residents living below the poverty line, as of the 1990 American Community Survey. Ranked by number of people, not the poverty rate. New York, New York leads at 1,412,267. 6,058 cities qualify in total. Cities with fewer than 5,000 residents are excluded. California carries 4 of the top 25 entries.

All statesPop > 5KAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPRESIDENTS IN POVERTYVS –

USUnited States13.1% of US population248,709,87332,620,189–

01New York, NYNY8,584,6291,412,267–

02Los Angeles, CACA3,869,089657,330–

03Chicago, ILIL2,731,585601,873–

04Houston, TXTX2,397,315338,147–

05Detroit, MIMI649,095333,164–

06Philadelphia, PAPA1,574,281321,439–

07San Antonio, TXTX1,548,422211,904–

08Dallas, TXTX1,329,491180,922–

09Baltimore, MDMD569,997160,951–

10New Orleans, LALA362,154157,162–

11San Diego, CACA1,406,106148,604–

12Cleveland, OHOH363,608144,948–

13Memphis, TNTN609,647140,154–

14Milwaukee, WIWI562,407139,590–

15Phoenix, AZAZ1,665,481139,429–

16El Paso, TXTX683,012130,503–

17Miami, FLFL489,812111,742–

18Columbus, OHOH938,396109,152–

19Atlanta, GAGA529,110107,521–

20Boston, MAMA672,973107,427–

21Washington, DCDC693,645102,362–

22St. Louis, MOMO278,14497,749–

23San Francisco, CACA826,07991,662–

24Cincinnati, OHOH314,36788,596–

25Fresno, CACA555,54985,142–

26Buffalo, NYNY274,61384,073–

27Austin, TXTX1,002,63283,491–

28Tucson, AZAZ548,37181,708–

29Denver, COCO740,61380,120–

30Pittsburgh, PAPA307,63279,229–

31Fort Worth, TXTX1,028,11777,985–

32San Jose, CACA989,81472,800–

33Newark, NJNJ323,80872,484–

34Long Beach, CACA450,46972,218–

35Oklahoma City, OKOK719,84970,515–

36Oakland, CACA440,83870,064–

37Minneapolis, MNMN430,32468,244–

38Kansas City, MOMO521,22066,685–

39Birmingham, ALAL195,89365,987–

40Nashville, TNTN721,07465,344–

41Seattle, WAWA784,77763,900–

42Portland, OROR635,10963,568–

43Sacramento, CACA536,44963,565–

44Toledo, OHOH263,42363,546–

45Baton Rouge, LALA222,79557,443–

46Tulsa, OKOK416,20955,056–

47Rochester, NYNY206,10854,439–

48Tampa, FLFL413,55454,431–

49Albuquerque, NMNM556,58853,772–

50Santa Ana, CACA315,58653,309–

51Corpus Christi, TXTX317,24751,481–

52Norfolk, VAVA231,01350,469–

53Shreveport, LALA175,90250,140–

54Dayton, OHOH136,68848,299–

55Laredo, TXTX269,51545,830–

56Akron, OHOH189,69145,678–

57St. Paul, MNMN306,68445,522–

58Stockton, CACA324,59745,071–

59Jackson, MSMS141,19644,584–

60Mobile, ALAL200,82444,032–

61Brownsville, TXTX192,95743,408–

62Jersey City, NJNJ302,01343,146–

63Flint, MIMI79,30643,045–

64Charlotte, NCNC964,78442,897–

65Richmond, VAVA237,25742,414–

66Omaha, NENE488,79742,404–

67Hartford, CTCT121,98138,445–

68Wichita, KSKS400,98737,917–

69San Bernardino, CACA222,04437,417–

70Syracuse, NYNY144,89637,204–

71Providence, RIRI195,31036,908–

72Lubbock, TXTX273,07136,435–

73Knoxville, TNTN202,02134,349–

74Gary, ININ67,28934,331–

75Hialeah, FLFL230,96834,222–

76Montgomery, ALAL195,30033,826–

77St. Petersburg, FLFL264,03332,339–

78Camden, NJNJ71,43031,986–

79Springfield, MAMA154,70231,566–

80Savannah, GAGA149,44031,099–

81Spokane, WAWA230,78330,728–

82Madison, WIWI286,23330,706–

83Colorado Springs, COCO494,74330,580–

84East Los Angeles, CACA111,64730,521–

85Grand Rapids, MIMI201,18330,487–

86Waco, TXTX147,78829,712–

87Tacoma, WAWA229,81629,668–

88Las Vegas, NVNV679,81729,620–

89Anaheim, CACA341,00828,351–

90Tallahassee, FLFL204,90227,847–

91Youngstown, OHOH58,83227,803–

92New Haven, CTCT138,77427,783–

93Chattanooga, TNTN194,14427,719–

94McAllen, TXTX150,64027,514–

95Mesa, AZAZ513,65627,374–

96Riverside, CACA323,05727,052–

97Kansas City, KSKS157,80526,772–

98Amarillo, TXTX205,13026,434–

99Salt Lake City, UTUT218,42826,236–

100Bakersfield, CACA422,16526,230–

101Paterson, NJNJ161,79326,121–

102Worcester, MAMA213,86225,981–

103Orlando, FLFL333,88825,948–

104Glendale, CACA187,16025,874–

105Little Rock, ARAR206,42725,702–

106Provo, UTUT114,52725,668–

107Fort Lauderdale, FLFL188,67725,553–

108Springfield, MOMO169,84724,976–

109Des Moines, IAIA212,08624,900–

110Compton, CACA90,50024,872–

111Lansing, MIMI113,88424,738–

112Raleigh, NCNC506,30624,544–

113Pomona, CACA147,80724,271–

114Bridgeport, CTCT152,27324,187–

115Beaumont, TXTX112,96724,175–

116El Monte, CACA105,07523,904–

117Newport News, VAVA183,23023,880–

118Miami Beach, FLFL81,59423,364–

119Virginia Beach, VAVA453,73723,052–

120Gainesville, FLFL148,67122,318–

121Saginaw, MIMI42,86322,052–

122Winston-Salem, NCNC257,27121,821–

123Lincoln, NENE301,52221,647–

124Albany, GAGA66,90721,498–

125Arlington, TXTX402,13421,495–

126Peoria, ILIL110,92021,416–

127Modesto, CACA219,65221,390–

128Pueblo, COCO110,40421,353–

129Greensboro, NCNC308,66721,247–

130Kalamazoo, MIMI72,68321,057–

131Erie, PAPA91,83820,983–

132Tuscaloosa, ALAL114,31620,775–

133Columbia, SCSC147,03520,758–

134Yonkers, NYNY212,60320,738–

135Monroe, LALA46,86020,732–

136Lafayette, LALA123,31120,679–

137Durham, NCNC305,56120,357–

138Fort Wayne, ININ275,20319,954–

139College Station, TXTX127,47219,925–

140Pasadena, CACA135,80419,629–

141Lawrence, MAMA89,32019,311–

142Tempe, AZAZ190,57119,307–

143Florence-Graham, CACA60,69019,292–

144Eugene, OROR178,61819,202–

145Bloomington, ININ83,30719,073–

146Pontiac, MIMI62,07718,979–

147Rockford, ILIL147,38418,617–

148Lowell, MAMA119,97118,610–

149Huntsville, ALAL233,62718,600–

150Albany, NYNY101,69818,510–

151Evansville, ININ116,17618,452–

152Portsmouth, VAVA96,77718,434–

153Canton, OHOH69,00118,396–

154Ontario, CACA187,01318,056–

155Inglewood, CACA101,66218,054–

156Berkeley, CACA121,91118,013–

157East St. Louis, ILIL17,68217,960–

158Oxnard, CACA199,65117,804–

159Elizabeth, NJNJ141,67517,737–

160State College, PAPA40,84417,658–

161Ann Arbor, MIMI122,23317,617–

162Odessa, TXTX122,70717,386–

163Charleston, SCSC159,42317,378–

164East Lansing, MIMI49,35517,111–

165Glendale, AZAZ260,57216,974–

166Salinas, CACA159,13416,947–

167Muncie, ININ65,46616,918–

168Pasadena, TXTX148,53916,889–

169New Bedford, MAMA101,83416,768–

170Lake Charles, LALA82,67616,632–

171Port Arthur, TXTX55,80416,515–

172Aurora, COCO410,05316,502–

173Irving, TXTX257,07616,353–

174Abilene, TXTX131,58816,276–

175Trenton, NJNJ91,50616,009–

176Anchorage, AKAK287,15516,006–

177Wichita Falls, TXTX101,95115,989–

178Lawrence, KSKS96,36715,843–

179Pine Bluff, ARAR38,21315,831–

180Boulder, COCO105,68915,793–

181Salem, OROR181,77915,629–

182San Angelo, TXTX100,64015,627–

183Roanoke, VAVA99,11115,502–

184Columbia, MOMO130,85115,495–

185Reno, NVNV283,62115,415–

186North Charleston, SCSC129,24515,249–

187Reading, PAPA95,83215,217–

188South Bend, ININ103,20115,162–

189Prichard, ALAL18,82515,125–

190South Gate, CACA90,07115,050–

191Hattiesburg, MSMS48,80215,026–

192Utica, NYNY62,97814,912–

193Garden Grove, CACA170,45514,909–

194Fort Collins, COCO171,50014,876–

195Davenport, IAIA100,35814,862–

196Tyler, TXTX113,72314,737–

197Topeka, KSKS125,79514,716–

198Springfield, OHOH58,28114,710–

199Pharr, TXTX80,83014,639–

200Harlingen, TXTX72,46714,588–

201Hampton, VAVA137,31514,481–

202Greenville, MSMS26,53014,453–

203Champaign, ILIL91,19514,389–

204Galveston, TXTX53,63614,320–

205Fayetteville, NCNC209,12014,196–

206Duluth, MNMN88,33014,162–

207Alexandria, LALA42,93814,159–

208Harrisburg, PAPA50,52214,154–

209Lorain, OHOH65,36614,141–

210Garland, TXTX249,62514,139–

211Merced, CACA99,72414,087–

212Richmond, CACA114,86114,078–

213Las Cruces, NMNM116,97814,040–

214Iowa City, IAIA76,22913,951–

215Daytona Beach, FLFL88,47113,928–

216Denton, TXTX169,43113,686–

217Chesapeake, VAVA255,33213,625–

218Huntington Park, CACA51,54413,612–

219Lynwood, CACA63,51213,530–

220Allentown, PAPA126,04413,519–

221Auburn, ALAL85,11313,500–

222Metairie, LALA139,72913,469–

223Hollywood, FLFL157,01913,403–

224Racine, WIWI77,90813,372–

225Visalia, CACA146,54113,327–

226Decatur, ILIL67,88413,324–

227Springfield, ILIL112,98913,294–

228Chula Vista, CACA275,53313,240–

229Fall River, MAMA95,29813,238–

230Waterbury, CTCT115,77113,169–

231East Orange, NJNJ72,15913,024–

232Blacksburg, VAVA45,10412,974–

233Oceanside, CACA170,48312,930–

234Lynn, MAMA104,23612,925–

235Wilmington, DEDE73,51212,920–

236Green Bay, WIWI106,67512,914–

237Midland, TXTX147,61512,896–

238Lawton, OKOK90,50312,840–

239Chico, CACA105,08112,837–

240Huntington, WVWV44,81512,710–

241Paradise, NVNV185,91312,682–

242Brockton, MAMA106,13412,660–

243Carbondale, ILIL21,81112,464–

244Scranton, PAPA75,51412,453–

245Wilmington, NCNC126,80912,276–

246Arlington, VAVA236,25412,202–

247Escondido, CACA146,03012,173–

248Alhambra, CACA79,82012,113–

249Bryan, TXTX91,99612,106–

250Norman, OKOK130,94312,039–

251St. Joseph, MOMO71,00111,990–

252Greenville, NCNC96,44311,979–

253Longview, TXTX83,23611,936–

254Isla Vista, CACA13,92011,881–

255Boise City, IDID238,42911,839–

256Greeley, COCO115,07311,783–

257Davis, CACA66,11011,768–

258Terre Haute, ININ58,76411,743–

259Del Rio, TXTX34,49611,741–

260Lancaster, PAPA58,36611,628–

261Ithaca, NYNY33,63211,625–

262Pompano Beach, FLFL117,21111,621–

263National City, CACA57,80711,579–

264Niagara Falls, NYNY47,25511,527–

265San Luis Obispo, CACA50,63611,491–

266El Cajon, CACA101,75511,462–

267Meridian, MSMS33,37011,390–

268Ames, IAIA68,22011,384–

269Hammond, ININ75,71211,360–

270Waterloo, IAIA66,91911,234–

271Holyoke, MAMA38,02311,216–

272Fullerton, CACA138,67511,195–

273Sioux City, IAIA86,35611,108–

274Yakima, WAWA97,45811,065–

275Bell Gardens, CACA37,36711,044–

276Pensacola, FLFL53,81710,968–

277West Palm Beach, FLFL127,18910,932–

278Baldwin Park, CACA68,88010,877–

279Lynchburg, VAVA81,34710,863–

280Santa Barbara, CACA86,42210,849–

281Cedar Rapids, IAIA137,93510,846–

282Hayward, CACA157,11310,786–

283Fort Pierce, FLFL51,73710,764–

284Charleston, WVWV46,11710,754–

285La Crosse, WIWI50,78410,732–

286Ogden, UTUT89,51010,726–

287Mission, TXTX88,99210,696–

288Anderson, ININ56,15310,687–

289Independence, MOMO121,67510,686–

290Muskegon, MIMI37,22410,681–

291San Marcos, TXTX77,83010,672–

292North Little Rock, ARAR65,12010,617–

293Eau Claire, WIWI72,46510,615–

294Binghamton, NYNY46,41810,592–

295Union City, NJNJ66,65610,544–

296Chester, PAPA33,99610,533–

297Clearwater, FLFL114,36410,520–

298Aurora, ILIL181,50510,492–

299Victoria, TXTX66,50010,384–

300Rosemead, CACA49,41010,336–

301Hamilton, OHOH64,64410,332–

302Greenville, SCSC75,31010,326–

303Santa Maria, CACA111,39010,307–

304Jackson, TNTN69,33910,264–

305Kenner, LALA65,13610,263–

306Baytown, TXTX86,56110,262–

307Cambridge, MAMA122,58810,248–

308Kenosha, WIWI99,23910,232–

309North Las Vegas, NVNV296,65310,231–

310Warren, OHOH38,32810,164–

311Fargo, NDND136,27510,141–

312Billings, MTMT121,23910,126–

313Owensboro, KYKY60,89210,121–

314Edinburg, TXTX110,70010,096–

315Danville, VAVA41,64710,061–

316Fort Smith, ARAR90,85510,047–

317Clarksville, TNTN188,82910,043–

318Fontana, CACA221,2239,980–

319Grand Prairie, TXTX209,4349,974–

320Monterey Park, CACA57,4579,973–

321Joliet, ILIL152,2419,968–

322Bessemer, ALAL24,9849,950–

323Hawthorne, CACA82,7419,930–

324Moreno Valley, CACA214,2639,930–

325Biloxi, MSMS48,5169,915–

326Passaic, NJNJ71,3379,879–

327Westmont, CACA34,1239,854–

328Lakeland, FLFL125,5209,849–

329Lima, OHOH34,6959,825–

330Schenectady, NYNY69,4719,786–

331Asheville, NCNC93,5239,783–

332Battle Creek, MIMI52,0219,778–

333Nacogdoches, TXTX32,5009,733–

334Bowling Green, KYKY78,5059,718–

335Sunrise Manor, NVNV200,2189,694–

336Stillwater, OKOK50,0469,688–

337New Britain, CTCT76,2869,662–

338Roswell, NMNM46,8789,652–

339Lancaster, CACA170,0849,634–

340Dearborn, MIMI105,6119,626–

341Lakewood, COCO156,9279,606–

342Socorro, TXTX38,7879,590–

343Charlottesville, VAVA44,3889,548–

344St. Cloud, MNMN72,6479,547–

345Eagle Pass, TXTX28,9269,524–

346Redding, CACA94,0929,512–

347Athens, OHOH25,3139,497–

348Valdosta, GAGA56,1869,490–

349Atlantic City, NJNJ38,7879,483–

350Spartanburg, SCSC39,9789,470–

351Huntington Beach, CACA191,4519,429–

352Warren, MIMI137,1389,416–

353Santa Rosa, CACA179,4379,410–

354Cicero, ILIL81,8589,400–

355Corvallis, OROR61,4999,384–

356Altoona, PAPA42,3479,352–

357Lakewood, WAWA62,7559,352–

358Fort Myers, FLFL101,5819,344–

359Troy, NYNY50,9129,318–

360Manhattan, KSKS54,6739,276–

361Vallejo, CACA123,2879,263–

362Bethlehem, PAPA79,6449,259–

363Jackson, MIMI31,0229,253–

364Willowbrook, CACA21,6819,230–

365Killeen, TXTX161,8839,212–

366East Cleveland, OHOH13,2299,195–

367Arden-Arcade, CACA94,9949,190–

368New Brunswick, NJNJ57,1339,158–

369Dothan, ALAL72,0609,127–

370New Iberia, LALA26,5339,126–

371Portland, MEME69,9119,030–

372Mansfield, OHOH47,3819,029–

373Mount Pleasant, MIMI20,9259,021–

374Suffolk, VAVA104,6999,008–

375Bell, CACA31,6258,981–

376Manchester, NHNH116,8188,951–

377Westminster, CACA88,9668,936–

378Rocky Mount, NCNC55,1208,892–

379South Valley, NMNM37,1208,889–

380West Lafayette, ININ45,7478,865–

381High Point, NCNC120,5718,843–

382Orange, CACA138,3658,839–

383Temple, TXTX98,4128,834–

384Costa Mesa, CACA108,8818,834–

385Rialto, CACA106,5548,777–

386Chandler, AZAZ278,7488,770–

387Marrero, LALA32,5408,765–

388Yuma, AZAZ105,2278,762–

389Norwalk, CACA97,1048,761–

390West Little River, FLFL33,8908,747–

391Somerville, MAMA84,2118,738–

392Bellingham, WAWA96,3958,719–

393Normal, ILIL53,2758,703–

394Gadsden, ALAL33,3678,693–

395Sumter, SCSC43,0948,687–

396Wilson, NCNC49,5728,685–

397East Chicago, ININ25,6108,664–

398Goldsboro, NCNC35,0128,616–

399Sioux Falls, SDSD213,7488,579–

400Covington, KYKY41,8478,578–

401York, PAPA45,3428,566–

402Highland Park, MIMI8,2488,522–

403DeKalb, ILIL40,4678,518–

404Johnson City, TNTN74,9438,493–

405Selma, ALAL16,0778,483–

406Muskogee, OKOK36,7608,472–

407Taylor, MIMI61,2798,444–

408Everett, WAWA113,5678,422–

409Bossier City, LALA63,2598,413–

410Vista, CACA98,2748,413–

411Paramount, CACA50,7558,392–

412Huntsville, TXTX49,0888,376–

413Ocala, FLFL71,7538,359–

414Montebello, CACA60,6938,339–

415Fayetteville, ARAR106,6238,314–

416Gulfport, MSMS76,5068,287–

417Opelousas, LALA15,0988,219–

418Pullman, WAWA33,7568,189–

419Clarksdale, MSMS13,6438,186–

420Missoula, MTMT78,9038,166–

421Santa Monica, CACA90,0828,126–

422Great Falls, MTMT60,2088,100–

423Houma, LALA31,7358,053–

424Gladeview, FLFL16,6558,051–

425Homestead, FLFL86,2428,036–

426Morgantown, WVWV30,2937,957–

427Porterville, CACA63,0887,955–

428Kent, OHOH27,7377,927–

429Richmond, ININ35,3767,927–

430Mount Vernon, NYNY72,3047,926–

431Urbana, ILIL39,7197,924–

432Mankato, MNMN46,5297,917–

433Vancouver, WAWA199,6987,914–

434Oxford, OHOH22,3877,893–

435Madera, CACA69,0177,891–

436Flagstaff, AZAZ77,2607,886–

437Alexandria, VAVA160,6627,881–

438Mesquite, TXTX150,6937,848–

439Citrus Heights, CACA86,3487,823–

440Indio, CACA94,2697,813–

441Rock Island, ILIL36,2257,807–

442Burbank, CACA102,9887,794–

443Petersburg, VAVA33,7347,791–

444Elyria, OHOH53,6347,790–

445Gastonia, NCNC87,0677,765–

446Weslaco, TXTX44,2037,764–

447North Miami, FLFL60,8847,738–

448Santa Cruz, CACA61,7977,697–

449Pawtucket, RIRI77,0657,695–

450Scottsdale, AZAZ243,0067,661–

451Melbourne, FLFL87,0977,659–

452Jonesboro, ARAR83,2967,656–

453Bowling Green, OHOH31,1827,611–

454Harvey, ILIL19,8497,610–

455Johnstown, PAPA17,6547,580–

456Burlington, VTVT44,0197,569–

457Elmira, NYNY26,0897,472–

458Port Huron, MIMI28,2737,454–

459Concord, CACA123,2617,453–

460Rapid City, SDSD80,5897,440–

461Benton Harbor, MIMI8,8037,435–

462West Covina, CACA105,3017,410–

463San Benito, TXTX24,9807,406–

464Kokomo, ININ59,9997,394–

465Fremont, CACA226,4427,375–

466Downey, CACA108,4687,362–

467Springfield, OROR61,4317,360–

468Ypsilanti, MIMI19,7667,323–

469Wilkes-Barre, PAPA44,5237,299–

470El Centro, CACA44,3827,298–

471Hobbs, NMNM40,8637,220–

472Evanston, ILIL76,3807,213–

473Murfreesboro, TNTN171,1787,182–

474Brownsville, FLFL16,9367,163–

475Grand Forks, NDND60,3657,158–

476Inkster, MIMI24,9597,138–

477Irvine, CACA318,7647,103–

478Tulare, CACA73,9077,103–

479Middletown, OHOH52,1467,100–

480Logan, UTUT55,5767,093–

481Pocatello, IDID58,7717,066–

482Greenwood, MSMS13,4297,054–

483Bay City, MIMI31,8687,031–

484Oshkosh, WIWI67,4606,948–

485Vicksburg, MSMS19,8306,947–

486Joplin, MOMO53,9306,945–

487Newburgh, NYNY28,0596,939–

488Zanesville, OHOH25,1386,925–

489Bremerton, WAWA45,4826,922–

490Texarkana, TXTX36,1956,908–

491Newark, OHOH51,4736,907–

492Chelsea, MAMA40,1306,905–

493Kingsville, TXTX24,6876,889–

494Santa Fe, NMNM89,8376,873–

495Pico Rivera, CACA58,9156,872–

496Torrance, CACA138,3916,855–

497Texas City, TXTX59,7336,842–

498Rock Hill, SCSC75,9116,821–

499Columbus, MSMS22,7926,815–

500Stamford, CTCT139,5356,794–

SHOWING 1–500 OF 6,058

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UPDATED 2026-07-15 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU DECENNIAL CENSUS

Frequently asked

Which city has the highest residents in poverty?

New York, New York ranks #1 with 1,412,267 (1990 Decennial Census).

What are the top 5 cities by residents in poverty?

New York, New York, Los Angeles, California, Chicago, Illinois, Houston, Texas, Detroit, Michigan.

How many cities are in this ranking?

6,058 cities qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability (minimum 5,000 residents). The ranking covers 1990 Decennial Census data.

How is residents in poverty measured?

Estimated number of residents living below the federal poverty line, from the poverty rate applied to total population. Source: US Census Bureau, 1990 Decennial Census.