RANKING · 1990 CENSUS · 500 SHOWN OF 918

Most residents in poverty, US metro areas · 1990

US metro areas 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-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ leads at 2,025,321. 918 metro areas qualify in total. California carries 4 of the top 25 entries.

All statesAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCities Counties States

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPRESIDENTS IN POVERTYVS –

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

01New York, NYNY20,112,4482,025,321–

02Los Angeles, CACA12,844,4411,539,845–

03Chicago, ILIL9,434,123913,157–

04Houston, TXTX7,904,627561,707–

05Detroit, MIMI4,390,913553,281–

06Philadelphia, PAPA6,329,118551,577–

07Dallas, TXTX8,477,157469,379–

08Boston, MAMA5,034,221344,057–

09San Francisco, CACA4,630,041339,297–

10Atlanta, GAGA6,482,182322,015–

11Riverside, CACA4,769,007314,646–

12Pittsburgh, PAPA2,421,992312,551–

13Phoenix, AZAZ5,228,938289,077–

14San Diego, CACA3,282,248283,155–

15St. Louis, MOMO2,814,421277,833–

16San Antonio, TXTX2,813,140277,780–

17Washington, DCDC6,465,724270,190–

18Cleveland, OHOH2,165,775263,454–

19New Orleans, LALA970,849255,232–

20Baltimore, MDMD2,857,781240,104–

21Tampa, FLFL3,418,895235,443–

22Seattle, WAWA4,161,883217,500–

23Cincinnati, OHOH2,312,858211,906–

24Minneapolis, MNMN3,790,295210,674–

25Miami, FLFL6,391,072208,221–

26Memphis, TNTN1,341,412206,933–

27Sacramento, CACA2,477,274176,387–

28Columbus, OHOH2,242,028175,669–

29Virginia Beach, VAVA1,797,213170,788–

30Milwaukee, WIWI1,575,010166,454–

31Kansas City, MOMO2,270,682161,076–

32McAllen, TXTX921,549160,616–

33Denver, COCO3,092,037160,598–

34El Paso, TXTX881,291159,705–

35Fresno, CACA1,203,383158,481–

36Portland, OROR2,542,282150,840–

37Birmingham, ALAL1,197,766147,519–

38Providence, RIRI1,708,161142,707–

39Buffalo, NYNY1,155,653142,209–

40Indianapolis, ININ2,205,695138,611–

41Charlotte, NCNC2,938,830137,883–

42Oklahoma City, OKOK1,512,813135,928–

43Louisville, KYKY1,402,509135,606–

44Austin, TXTX2,620,945134,923–

45Baton Rouge, LALA888,699133,927–

46Nashville, TNTN2,197,416129,799–

47Orlando, FLFL2,957,672123,869–

48Jackson, MSMS609,847118,689–

49San Jose, CACA1,984,473115,926–

50Tucson, AZAZ1,074,685114,718–

51Jacksonville, FLFL1,785,500110,445–

52Tulsa, OKOK1,069,273104,858–

53Brownsville, TXTX433,946103,160–

54Knoxville, TNTN968,13798,818–

55Rochester, NYNY1,056,14997,745–

56Dayton, OHOH826,55493,223–

57Bakersfield, CACA927,06891,904–

58Albuquerque, NMNM925,27990,612–

59Richmond, VAVA1,389,33890,256–

60Toledo, OHOH599,37684,971–

61Shreveport, LALA383,47481,179–

62Mobile, ALAL411,65880,909–

63Corpus Christi, TXTX451,19179,934–

64Akron, OHOH701,78079,551–

65Las Vegas, NVNV2,407,22678,067–

66Charleston, SCSC889,26376,602–

67Grand Rapids, MIMI1,183,64576,188–

68Lafayette, LALA423,75875,627–

69Stockton, CACA823,81575,600–

70Salt Lake City, UTUT1,308,37774,647–

71Huntington, WVWV365,96573,741–

72Little Rock, ARAR777,60773,026–

73Flint, MIMI401,09370,867–

74Augusta, GAGA641,23170,747–

75Visalia, CACA485,14670,439–

76Greenville, SCSC1,014,10170,154–

77Albany, NYNY915,83569,506–

78Columbia, SCSC879,91869,262–

79Syracuse, NYNY652,27368,739–

80Youngstown, OHOH423,67868,138–

81Omaha, NENE1,009,83665,983–

82Beaumont, TXTX399,31065,059–

83Scranton, PAPA574,41863,402–

84Honolulu, HIHI988,70362,564–

85Gulfport, MSMS431,32960,068–

86Springfield, MAMA464,33859,178–

87Worcester, MAMA888,50258,801–

88Chattanooga, TNTN594,53058,771–

89Monroe, LALA222,39056,763–

90Lansing, MIMI479,72256,661–

91Pensacola, FLFL544,94956,287–

92Spokane, WAWA608,01254,823–

93Montgomery, ALAL388,74754,799–

94Greensboro, NCNC805,94554,469–

95Lubbock, TXTX368,43153,928–

96Wichita, KSKS663,80952,907–

97Lakeland, FLFL874,79052,477–

98Raleigh, NCNC1,595,72052,405–

99Modesto, CACA557,71952,314–

100Columbus, GAGA324,83052,100–

101Laredo, TXTX281,22450,839–

102Winston-Salem, NCNC712,20650,095–

103Gainesville, FLFL359,03649,718–

104Allentown, PAPA887,61549,520–

105Lexington, KYKY535,17449,490–

106Oxnard, CACA830,85148,728–

107Tallahassee, FLFL397,44248,625–

108Deltona, FLFL746,93347,688–

109Santa Maria, CACA442,06547,166–

110Tuscaloosa, ALAL281,85046,327–

111Madison, WIWI709,68546,289–

112Waco, TXTX308,80746,218–

113Davenport, IAIA380,45244,993–

114Springfield, MOMO500,69444,458–

115Fayetteville, NCNC395,41244,433–

116Canton, OHOH400,24643,772–

117Longview, TXTX297,31543,763–

118Houma, LALA199,66843,107–

119Kingsport, TNTN314,83443,084–

120Charleston, WVWV200,17042,651–

121Savannah, GAGA438,31442,640–

122Kiryas Joel, NYNY718,37742,601–

123Colorado Springs, COCO781,79642,465–

124Durham, NCNC625,48542,366–

125Peoria, ILIL363,50542,224–

126Corbin, KYKY150,04042,034–

127Salinas, CACA433,72941,308–

128Provo, UTUT773,42641,114–

129Lake Charles, LALA244,65540,966–

130Eugene, OROR381,58440,962–

131North Port, FLFL948,15840,837–

132College Station, TXTX287,47639,894–

133Des Moines, IAIA758,53939,647–

134Killeen, TXTX511,49739,097–

135Utica, NYNY285,61138,561–

136Yakima, WAWA259,18538,187–

137Duluth, MNMN281,21937,873–

138Harrisburg, PAPA617,42737,596–

139Macon-Bibb County, GAGA238,55337,217–

140Salem, OROR445,81436,778–

141Saginaw, MIMI187,68836,558–

142Palm Bay, FLFL663,98236,426–

143Boise City, IDID864,24336,314–

144Las Cruces, NMNM229,09135,843–

145Erie, PAPA265,83235,530–

146Merced, CACA297,26035,499–

147Florence, SCSC201,39235,314–

148Ann Arbor, MIMI370,21434,413–

149Chico, CACA209,21134,369–

150Alexandria, LALA147,95234,139–

151Albany, GAGA145,51033,865–

152Lancaster, PAPA563,15933,737–

153Huntsville, ALAL556,44433,504–

154Portland, MEME577,63533,066–

155Pikeville, KYKY89,12232,053–

156Spartanburg, SCSC407,65631,942–

157Amarillo, TXTX276,23531,223–

158Cape Coral, FLFL875,60730,697–

159Asheville, NCNC422,34530,635–

160Auburn, ALAL208,01330,265–

161Kalamazoo, MIMI263,79530,104–

162Athens, GAGA224,14829,926–

163Ogden, UTUT672,78429,876–

164Blacksburg, VAVA181,61629,756–

165South Bend, ININ324,53829,732–

166Wilmington, NCNC492,77229,691–

167Santa Rosa, CACA486,44429,612–

168Champaign, ILIL239,97929,219–

169Opelousas, LALA80,76529,173–

170Atlantic City, NJNJ372,04728,910–

171Clarksville, TNTN349,00128,807–

172Ocala, FLFL442,66028,409–

173Fort Smith, ARAR234,14028,317–

174Fayetteville, ARAR622,17728,284–

175San Luis Obispo, CACA282,36728,178–

176Port St. Lucie, FLFL568,72127,952–

177Rockford, ILIL337,24227,809–

178Hattiesburg, MSMS158,01427,668–

179Binghamton, NYNY243,18927,216–

180Reading, PAPA440,07227,024–

181Hammond, LALA141,34626,975–

182Beckley, WVWV109,94026,955–

183Show Low, AZAZ109,94626,946–

184Fort Wayne, ININ466,25826,668–

185Reno, NVNV578,73426,538–

186Johnson City, TNTN216,41626,434–

187Hickory, NCNC376,89026,409–

188Gallup, NMNM68,11926,386–

189Roanoke, VAVA316,54726,375–

190Wheeling, WVWV134,08926,027–

191El Centro, CACA181,41125,969–

192Farmington, NMNM120,34025,888–

193Jackson, TNTN184,56925,541–

194Vallejo, CACA455,37625,541–

195Evansville, ININ273,78625,531–

196Lumberton, NCNC119,94125,315–

197Texarkana, TXTX146,81625,287–

198Tyler, TXTX252,54924,915–

199Pueblo, COCO169,27724,887–

200Boulder, COCO328,56024,681–

201Santa Cruz, CACA258,85224,558–

202Joplin, MOMO208,79624,382–

203Abilene, TXTX185,42924,332–

204Rio Grande City, TXTX66,31924,302–

205Odessa, TXTX173,80124,299–

206Trenton, NJNJ399,28924,273–

207Muskegon, MIMI177,90124,253–

208Lincoln, NENE352,08123,882–

209Greenville, NCNC182,93623,809–

210Niles, MIMI152,44423,732–

211Bloomington, ININ165,23123,526–

212Lynchburg, VAVA269,16923,170–

213Green Bay, WIWI336,75623,044–

214Greenville, MSMS40,44622,933–

215Terre Haute, ININ169,24122,852–

216Johnstown, PAPA128,96822,778–

217State College, PAPA157,39322,502–

218Bowling Green, KYKY197,18022,479–

219Flagstaff, AZAZ144,36822,285–

220Fort Collins, COCO377,29222,281–

221Rocky Mount, NCNC148,48622,218–

222Panama City, FLFL231,17422,044–

223Waterloo, IAIA169,18922,035–

224Bluefield, WVWV96,13821,977–

225Myrtle Beach, SCSC427,55121,924–

226Pine Bluff, ARAR70,21121,905–

227Columbia, MOMO219,06221,874–

228Lafayette, ININ228,46821,699–

229York, PAPA473,19721,562–

230Wichita Falls, TXTX149,44821,459–

231Meridian, MSMS85,41921,279–

232Yuba City, CACA187,47821,277–

233Yuma, AZAZ224,44921,268–

234Weirton, WVWV112,46821,227–

235Natchez, MSMS54,72221,200–

236Sumter, SCSC105,06721,149–

237Topeka, KSKS233,05221,145–

238Orangeburg, SCSC83,17721,144–

239Kennewick, WAWA324,33421,122–

240Morgantown, WVWV141,99521,011–

241Richmond, KYKY131,80620,986–

242Eureka, CACA131,64720,962–

243Valdosta, GAGA153,27620,869–

244Manhattan, KSKS136,12220,734–

245Portsmouth, OHOH71,36520,718–

246Dothan, ALAL156,26620,714–

247Greeley, COCO378,42620,283–

248Redding, CACA181,64820,203–

249Fargo, NDND269,52820,118–

250Muncie, ININ113,10620,040–

251Crestview, FLFL315,09819,962–

252Sierra Vista, AZAZ126,33219,828–

253Slidell, LALA279,10819,820–

254Springfield, OHOH135,34019,796–

255Hagerstown, MDMD315,28019,768–

256Anchorage, AKAK405,82119,731–

257Manchester, NHNH433,41519,675–

258Jamestown, NYNY124,12619,554–

259Battle Creek, MIMI133,40819,435–

260Florence, ALAL156,60919,377–

261Medford, OROR221,79519,370–

262Cedar Rapids, IAIA279,28519,360–

263Laurel, MSMS82,28119,317–

264Massena, NYNY105,48819,314–

265Charlottesville, VAVA228,59719,208–

266Roanoke Rapids, NCNC63,02519,110–

267Lawton, OKOK127,59019,105–

268Eau Claire, WIWI176,64719,066–

269Bangor, MEME157,96719,053–

270La Crosse, WIWI171,18218,814–

271Springfield, ILIL206,03318,706–

272Lebanon, NHNH224,50018,507–

273Hanford, CACA154,32718,443–

274Altoona, PAPA119,54118,429–

275Eagle Pass, TXTX58,82318,347–

276Columbus, MSMS67,14418,341–

277Decatur, ALAL160,32618,284–

278Iowa City, IAIA182,71118,253–

279Tupelo, MSMS133,16718,247–

280Jacksonville, NCNC217,17518,188–

281Oxford, ALAL115,83418,177–

282Jonesboro, ARAR139,44018,059–

283Jackson, MIMI159,55217,991–

284Cleveland, MSMS28,26217,967–

285Vineland, NJNJ157,14817,952–

286Ithaca, NYNY104,04717,821–

287Bremerton, WAWA283,37417,798–

288Racine, WIWI198,91917,768–

289St. Cloud, MNMN205,85417,693–

290New Iberia, LALA66,84617,643–

291St. Joseph, MOMO119,17017,472–

292Selma, ALAL35,14017,445–

293Carbondale, ILIL52,50117,326–

294McComb, MSMS52,64017,280–

295San Angelo, TXTX122,06517,254–

296Salem, OHOH99,37717,207–

297Greenwood, MSMS34,91217,165–

298Clarksburg, WVWV88,14217,128–

299Athens, OHOH63,19717,075–

300Hilo, HIHI210,04317,056–

301Talladega, ALAL91,76416,949–

302Cookeville, TNTN152,47716,947–

303Danville, VAVA101,13716,872–

304Lawrence, KSKS120,92016,842–

305Indiana, PAPA82,87816,800–

306Midland, TXTX193,13916,612–

307Gadsden, ALAL103,88616,464–

308Sioux City, IAIA145,73816,462–

309Cumberland, MDMD93,64016,316–

310Pottsville, PAPA145,08516,251–

311Lacey, WAWA304,26116,222–

312Paducah, KYKY102,25916,222–

313Burlington, VTVT227,80316,143–

314Ottawa, ILIL145,90216,013–

315LaGrange, GAGA107,09716,000–

316Naples, FLFL417,13115,990–

317Goldsboro, NCNC122,27815,915–

318Billings, MTMT193,60315,757–

319Amherst, MAMA164,06515,740–

320Bellingham, WAWA236,39215,717–

321Morgan City, LALA46,55215,669–

322Hilton Head Island, SCSC242,96615,646–

323Hermitage, PAPA107,86015,523–

324Bloomington, ILIL171,41915,341–

325Owensboro, KYKY113,96215,321–

326New Bern, NCNC127,35815,147–

327Blytheville, ARAR37,82815,076–

328Decatur, ILIL99,30014,934–

329Muskogee, OKOK66,70814,877–

330Prescott Valley, AZAZ252,55214,614–

331Ames, IAIA128,09014,509–

332Warner Robins, GAGA208,09114,499–

333Alice, TXTX45,38314,441–

334Elizabethtown, KYKY128,66614,392–

335Clarksdale, MSMS19,84914,392–

336Mansfield, OHOH124,89314,193–

337Victoria, TXTX99,86414,154–

338Kingston, NYNY183,33014,137–

339Grand Junction, COCO162,84514,100–

340Daphne, ALAL267,76114,098–

341Cape Girardeau, MOMO99,21514,086–

342Del Rio, TXTX47,83514,086–

343Barnstable, MAMA233,53914,079–

344Roseburg, OROR111,95114,064–

345Starkville, MSMS62,06314,057–

346Statesboro, GAGA97,97714,053–

347Sioux Falls, SDSD314,63814,005–

348Bay City, MIMI102,12313,999–

349Missoula, MTMT128,69813,954–

350Lima, OHOH100,88113,902–

351Janesville, WIWI166,47213,780–

352Nacogdoches, TXTX66,03513,775–

353Bogalusa, LALA44,93713,628–

354Williamsport, PAPA112,58713,602–

355Mount Pleasant, MIMI64,69113,577–

356Rapid City, SDSD156,93413,518–

357Danville, ILIL71,25913,449–

358Parkersburg, WVWV87,26413,434–

359Corning, NYNY91,85513,389–

360Grand Forks, NDND105,04613,371–

361Thomasville, GAGA72,95813,341–

362Meadville, PAPA81,79213,340–

363Stillwater, OKOK83,88913,330–

364Rochester, MNMN231,18413,255–

365Lake Havasu City, AZAZ228,10213,239–

366Hot Springs, ARAR99,69513,224–

367Watertown, NYNY111,54013,137–

368Sherman, TXTX153,61313,116–

369Kenosha, WIWI168,44813,092–

370Lufkin, TXTX88,15413,042–

371Wilson, NCNC81,15013,041–

372Palatka, FLFL77,73413,013–

373Roswell, NMNM63,36412,934–

374Santa Fe, NMNM156,90712,904–

375St. Simons, GAGA118,52412,868–

376Kankakee, ILIL105,52512,799–

377Sunbury, PAPA107,78812,742–

378Paris, TXTX63,31912,732–

379Cleveland, TNTN134,05712,668–

380Clovis, NMNM65,27012,594–

381Dover, DEDE194,78612,560–

382Hobbs, NMNM74,74912,497–

383Mankato, MNMN104,90712,481–

384Natchitoches, LALA36,08912,448–

385Salisbury, MDMD131,87212,410–

386Greenwood, SCSC95,21512,355–

387Oshkosh, WIWI174,21812,354–

388Albany, OROR132,84312,324–

389Bend, OROR266,37612,306–

390Chillicothe, OHOH76,42912,306–

391Albertville, ALAL103,53712,206–

392Seaford, DEDE277,14012,152–

393Zanesville, OHOH87,01412,081–

394Pittsfield, MAMA128,22412,075–

395Morristown, TNTN128,86712,024–

396Lewiston, MEME116,48711,948–

397Augusta, MEME129,06711,870–

398Anderson Creek, NCNC150,13711,867–

399Wooster, OHOH116,75811,826–

400Olean, NYNY75,39011,823–

401Homosassa Springs, FLFL171,66611,742–

402Monroe, MIMI156,00411,543–

403Sikeston, MOMO49,97811,524–

404Kinston, NCNC55,83711,470–

405Grants Pass, OROR87,86711,439–

406Middlesborough, KYKY22,82911,414–

407Plattsburgh, NYNY78,13811,386–

408Ukiah, CACA88,12211,381–

409Brainerd, MNMN100,56211,378–

410Huntsville, TXTX83,84211,347–

411Somerset, KYKY67,38411,229–

412Somerset, PAPA72,00411,199–

413Wenatchee, WAWA128,41411,182–

414Oxford, MSMS71,97211,158–

415Glens Falls, NYNY124,37311,120–

416Ruston, LALA48,36011,094–

417Jefferson City, MOMO152,71211,081–

418Rome, GAGA101,37811,075–

419Dalton, GAGA147,81911,020–

420Corvallis, OROR97,72811,000–

421Elkhart, ININ208,77411,000–

422Longview, WAWA114,88510,940–

423Hermiston, OROR93,72110,937–

424DuBois, PAPA78,10010,882–

425Fairmont, WVWV55,58410,854–

426Elmira, NYNY80,41510,815–

427Michigan City, ININ111,29410,765–

428Moses Lake, WAWA105,72710,747–

429Tifton, GAGA51,23710,729–

430Vicksburg, MSMS41,75910,727–

431Richmond, ININ66,16910,715–

432Great Falls, MTMT85,02910,630–

433Athens, TXTX88,59510,599–

434Hinesville, GAGA91,87010,562–

435Harrisonburg, VAVA140,15510,561–

436Minden, LALA34,94810,533–

437Quincy, ILIL74,14610,506–

438Aberdeen, WAWA78,14410,502–

439Logan, UTUT160,88910,496–

440Traverse City, MIMI156,97210,472–

441Forrest City, ARAR21,80010,437–

442Sebring, FLFL111,12210,422–

443Appleton, WIWI249,87610,386–

444Cullman, ALAL94,00910,349–

445Waycross, GAGA57,67010,315–

446El Dorado, ARAR36,92610,273–

447Searcy, ARAR80,08510,250–

448Plainview, TXTX36,70010,223–

449Shawnee, OKOK75,10210,150–

450Gainesville, GAGA226,56810,137–

451Russellville, ARAR84,93210,086–

452Mount Pleasant, TXTX57,07610,060–

453Dublin, GAGA60,35110,050–

454Chambersburg, PAPA160,65210,038–

455Carlsbad, NMNM62,5099,934–

456Coos Bay, OROR63,9929,932–

457Kennett, MOMO26,8559,890–

458Idaho Falls, IDID173,8519,887–

459Danville, KYKY56,9859,831–

460Glasgow, KYKY56,2249,809–

461Tahlequah, OKOK49,1969,805–

462Twin Falls, IDID123,9019,712–

463Marion, ININ66,5249,703–

464Poplar Bluff, MOMO41,9049,690–

465Klamath Falls, OROR70,2749,661–

466Burlington, NCNC186,1779,608–

467Sandusky, OHOH112,7779,546–

468Adrian, MIMI97,7799,515–

469Fort Payne, ALAL74,0859,483–

470Española, NMNM39,8329,462–

471Greeneville, TNTN73,8319,451–

472Bismarck, NDND139,7509,404–

473Murrells Inlet, SCSC65,9129,373–

474Pullman, WAWA48,5129,371–

475New Philadelphia, OHOH92,3739,353–

476Big Rapids, MIMI42,3209,352–

477Shelby, NCNC103,3259,313–

478Las Vegas, NMNM30,3119,309–

479Monticello, NYNY80,5869,309–

480Kokomo, ININ83,9049,307–

481Mount Vernon, WAWA132,9759,168–

482Wausau, WIWI139,4329,138–

483Marion, ILIL67,2259,123–

484Pocatello, IDID91,5919,098–

485Athens, TNTN71,5909,078–

486Grenada, MSMS30,2229,022–

487Minot, NDND75,6948,956–

488Oil City, PAPA49,3468,954–

489Marquette, MIMI68,0648,938–

490Staunton, VAVA129,6928,891–

491Dubuque, IAIA99,3818,872–

492Jacksonville, TXTX53,3378,865–

493Palestine, TXTX59,8058,822–

494Lake City, FLFL74,0948,782–

495Winchester, VAVA152,3328,717–

496Alamogordo, NMNM70,3688,692–

497Charleston, ILIL46,6078,650–

498Bozeman, MTMT128,7408,636–

499Henderson, KYKY57,1848,603–

500Holland, MIMI123,1888,597–

SHOWING 1–500 OF 918

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

Frequently asked

Which metro area has the highest residents in poverty?

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ ranks #1 with 2,025,321 (1990 Decennial Census).

What are the top 5 metro areas by residents in poverty?

New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ, Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI.

How many metro areas are in this ranking?

918 metro areas qualify after filtering for population minimums and data availability. 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.