Poverty by Race [Updated January 2023]

What States Have the Highest Rate of Black Poverty?

The states that have the highest rate of Black poverty include:

• Maine has a Black poverty rate of approximately 35 percent.
• Iowa has a Black poverty rate of approximately 32 percent.
• Mississippi has a Black poverty rate of approximately 31.6 percent.
• Louisiana has a Black poverty rate of approximately 31.3 percent.
• Wisconsin has a Black poverty rate of approximately 31 percent.

What States Have the Highest Rate of Asian Poverty?

The states that have the highest rate of Asian poverty include:

• South Dakota has an Asian poverty rate of approximately 19 percent.
• North Dakota has an Asian poverty rate of approximately 18.8 percent.
• Indiana has an Asian poverty rate of approximately 18 percent.
• Nebraska has an Asian poverty rate of approximately 17 percent.
• Idaho has an Asian poverty rate of approximately 17 percent.

What States Have the Highest Rate of Hispanic Poverty?

The states that have the highest rate of Hispanic poverty include:

• Alabama has a Hispanic poverty rate of approximately 30 percent.
• Pennsylvania has a Hispanic poverty rate of approximately 28 percent.
• Kentucky has a Hispanic poverty rate of approximately 26.7 percent.
• North Carolina has a Hispanic poverty rate of approximately 26.4 percent.
• South Carolina has a Hispanic poverty rate of approximately 26.2 percent.

What States Have the Highest Rate of White Poverty?

The states that have the highest rate of white poverty include:

• West Virginia has a white poverty rate of approximately 17 percent.
• New Mexico has a white poverty rate of approximately 16.7 percent.
• Kentucky has a white poverty rate of approximately 16 percent.
• Arkansas has a white poverty rate of approximately 14 percent.
• Texas has a white poverty rate of approximately 13.7 percent.

What Is the Definition of Poverty?

The exact definition of poverty can vary from place to place, but if someone does not have enough financial resources to afford the basic necessities required to stay alive, they are considered to be impoverished. For example, if someone does not have enough money to afford food, water, clothing, or shelter, they are generally viewed as living below the poverty line. The cost of living can vary significantly from place to place, so the poverty line is not the same across the country. For example, it costs more money to live in Chicago, Los Angeles, or New York City than it does to live in other places.

Does Poverty Rate Vary By Race?

Yes, the poverty rate can vary significantly depending on ethnicity. Historically, the poverty rate of people of white descent has been lower when compared to people of Black or Hispanic descent. This has to do with a lot of historical and cultural reasons. Importantly, the poverty rate by race can vary from state to state as well. People of certain ethnicities may do better in some places than others. That is why it is important to dig underneath the surface to figure out why the numbers might be the way they are.