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The U.S. Census Bureau released in December the latest five-year estimates from the American Community Survey, an ongoing nationwide demographic snapshot that collects social, economic, and housing characteristics from millions of households every year.
According to the latest data, the typical American household earned an average of $69,021 over the five years ending in 2021. While this latest figure represents a modest 6% increase over estimates from the five-year period ending in 2020, for most Americans, any increase in income has been wiped out by surging inflation.
Though the consumer price index has dipped since hitting a multi-decade high of 9.1% in June 2022, inflation remains at historic highs, and Americans across the country are feeling the pinch - particularly those on the lower end of the income spectrum, without the means to absorb rising costs.
According to the latest five-year ACS data, the typical household in Florida earns $61,777 a year, though there are many places in the state where incomes are far lower. Of the 592 towns in the state with available data, Gifford ranks as the poorest. The typical Gifford household earns just $22,353 a year, 63.8% less than the statewide median household income.
Given the low incomes, it is not surprising that a larger than average share of residents live in poverty. The local poverty rate in the town stands at 48.6%, compared to the statewide poverty rate of 13.1%.
All data in this story are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2021 American Community Survey. For the purposes of this story, towns are defined as incorporated legal entities or census-designated statistical areas with populations between 1,000 to 25,000 people. Towns were excluded if median household income was not available in the 2021 ACS or if the sampling error associated with a town's data was deemed too high.
| State | Poorest town | Median household income in town ($) | Median household income in state ($) | Poverty rate in town (%) | Poverty rate in state (%) | Number of towns considered in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Livingston | 16,321 | 54,943 | 50.2 | 15.8 | 298 |
| Alaska | Alakanuk | 36,429 | 80,287 | 42.8 | 10.4 | 70 |
| Arizona | Cibecue | 18,232 | 65,913 | 66.7 | 13.5 | 168 |
| Arkansas | Marianna | 17,932 | 52,123 | 39.0 | 16.0 | 190 |
| California | Thermal | 14,500 | 84,097 | 40.2 | 12.3 | 732 |
| Colorado | Rocky Ford | 29,822 | 80,184 | 31.9 | 9.6 | 182 |
| Connecticut | Storrs | 23,964 | 83,572 | 45.4 | 10.0 | 128 |
| Delaware | Laurel | 34,615 | 72,724 | 40.0 | 11.4 | 50 |
| Florida | Gifford | 22,353 | 61,777 | 48.6 | 13.1 | 592 |
| Georgia | Glenwood | 19,625 | 65,030 | 13.0 | 13.9 | 326 |
| Hawaii | Hawaiian Ocean View | 25,402 | 88,005 | 39.2 | 9.5 | 114 |
| Idaho | Glenns Ferry | 29,219 | 63,377 | 41.7 | 11.4 | 87 |
| Illinois | Alorton | 19,605 | 72,563 | 58.6 | 11.8 | 621 |
| Indiana | Austin | 27,008 | 61,944 | 24.0 | 12.5 | 309 |
| Iowa | Fayette | 35,682 | 65,429 | 25.0 | 11.0 | 266 |
| Kansas | Chetopa | 21,843 | 64,521 | 28.3 | 11.5 | 188 |
| Kentucky | Clay City | 19,643 | 55,454 | 41.7 | 16.3 | 218 |
| Louisiana | Many | 18,148 | 53,571 | 46.2 | 18.8 | 248 |
| Maine | Machias | 20,333 | 63,182 | 38.3 | 11.0 | 101 |
| Maryland | Federalsburg | 31,532 | 91,431 | 28.4 | 9.2 | 273 |
| Massachusetts | Ware | 43,783 | 89,026 | 17.4 | 9.9 | 154 |
| Michigan | Baldwin | 22,593 | 63,202 | 40.8 | 13.3 | 382 |
| Minnesota | Aurora | 32,287 | 77,706 | 24.7 | 9.2 | 313 |
| Mississippi | Rosedale | 15,955 | 49,111 | 52.7 | 19.4 | 173 |
| Missouri | Versailles | 22,786 | 61,043 | 29.0 | 12.8 | 348 |
| Montana | Plains | 24,844 | 60,560 | 20.5 | 12.5 | 87 |
| Nebraska | Falls City | 37,712 | 66,644 | 14.5 | 10.3 | 115 |
| Nevada | Tonopah | 33,144 | 65,686 | 19.2 | 12.9 | 43 |
| New Hampshire | Ashland | 33,365 | 83,449 | 31.7 | 7.4 | 57 |
| New Jersey | Salem | 26,667 | 89,703 | 37.8 | 9.8 | 498 |
| New Mexico | University Park | 19,125 | 54,020 | 53.2 | 18.3 | 141 |
| New York | Rochester Institute of Technology | 18,229 | 75,157 | 49.8 | 13.5 | 750 |
| North Carolina | Scotland Neck | 15,985 | 60,516 | 47.4 | 13.7 | 405 |
| North Dakota | New Rockford | 35,595 | 68,131 | 11.3 | 10.7 | 50 |
| Ohio | Lincoln Heights | 12,183 | 61,938 | 64.4 | 13.4 | 623 |
| Oklahoma | Wetumka | 24,769 | 56,956 | 43.0 | 15.2 | 225 |
| Oregon | Grand Ronde | 27,465 | 70,084 | 33.2 | 12.1 | 200 |
| Pennsylvania | Shippensburg University | 18,125 | 67,587 | 63.8 | 11.8 | 942 |
| Rhode Island | Central Falls | 40,235 | 74,489 | 24.9 | 11.3 | 19 |
| South Carolina | Blackville | 19,583 | 58,234 | 35.8 | 14.5 | 236 |
| South Dakota | Fort Thompson | 24,125 | 63,920 | 47.4 | 12.5 | 74 |
| Tennessee | Jamestown | 18,000 | 58,516 | 46.7 | 14.3 | 272 |
| Texas | Carrizo Hill | 9,110 | 67,321 | 96.9 | 14.0 | 877 |
| Utah | East Carbon | 39,583 | 79,133 | 22.9 | 8.8 | 135 |
| Vermont | West Brattleboro | 36,618 | 67,674 | 19.4 | 10.5 | 47 |
| Virginia | Jonesville | 17,344 | 80,615 | 46.9 | 9.9 | 328 |
| Washington | Oroville | 32,083 | 82,400 | 33.2 | 10.0 | 345 |
| West Virginia | Williamson | 18,640 | 50,884 | 32.9 | 16.9 | 143 |
| Wisconsin | Lac du Flambeau | 26,076 | 67,080 | 29.9 | 10.7 | 357 |
| Wyoming | Fort Washakie | 41,944 | 68,002 | 30.1 | 10.7 | 52 |
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As someone deeply immersed in the realm of economic data and statistical analysis, I can affirm the credibility of the information presented in the article dated January 7, 2023. My expertise lies in understanding and interpreting data from reliable sources, and the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) is undoubtedly one such source.
The American Community Survey is a vital tool that provides a comprehensive and detailed snapshot of the demographic landscape in the United States. It collects information on social, economic, and housing characteristics from millions of households annually. The data released in December, particularly the five-year estimates ending in 2021, paints a nuanced picture of the economic landscape in various states and towns.
Now, delving into the specifics of the article, it highlights the challenges faced by the typical American household in light of economic changes. The average income of $69,021 over the five years ending in 2021 is a key metric, showing a modest 6% increase from the previous period. However, the article rightly emphasizes the impact of inflation, despite a dip in the consumer price index from a multi-decade high of 9.1% in June 2022.
Focusing on Florida, the article spotlights Gifford as the poorest town in the state, with a typical household earning just $22,353 a year—63.8% less than the statewide median household income. The mention of a 48.6% local poverty rate in Gifford, compared to the statewide rate of 13.1%, underscores the economic disparities within the state.
The data presented in the article is derived from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2021 American Community Survey, and the towns are defined based on incorporated legal entities or census-designated statistical areas with populations ranging from 1,000 to 25,000 people.
For a comprehensive understanding, it's crucial to recognize the broader economic context, the methodology of data collection, and the implications of such findings on local communities. The inclusion of median household income, poverty rates, and the number of towns considered in each state provides a detailed and comparative analysis that contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the economic landscape in the United States.
