Carbondale, a city in southern Illinois, has been identified as the poorest town in the state based on recent analyses of poverty rates and median household income.
According to multiple sources, Carbondale has the highest percentage of residents living below the poverty line and the lowest median household income among Illinois cities of comparable size.
Carbondale by the Numbers
- Poverty Rate: 43.1%
- Median Household Income: $22,152
- Percent of Individuals Under 18 Living Below Poverty: 44.6%
- Total Individuals Living Below the Poverty Line: 9,450
These figures place Carbondale at the top of the list for poverty in Illinois, far exceeding both the state and national averages for poverty rates and median income.
Why Is Carbondale So Poor?
Carbondale’s economic challenges are influenced by several factors:
- University Community Effect: As home to Southern Illinois University, Carbondale has a large student population. Students often report little or no income, which can skew poverty statistics upward.
- Limited Job Opportunities: The region has struggled with job losses and limited economic diversification, leading to higher unemployment and underemployment.
- Low Educational Attainment (Outside the Student Population): While the university boosts the number of residents with some college education, the broader community faces challenges in educational attainment and job skills.
How Does Carbondale Compare to Other Illinois Towns?
While other towns such as East St. Louis, Harvey, and Alorton also report high poverty rates and low median incomes, Carbondale consistently ranks at the bottom across multiple recent reports and data sets. For example:
| City | Poverty Rate | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| Carbondale | 43.1% | $22,152 |
| East St. Louis | 33.4% | $24,343 |
| Harvey | 32.8% | $30,306 |
| Alorton | — | $19,605 |
Note: Alorton is sometimes cited as the poorest by median income, but Carbondale has the highest poverty rate among larger towns and cities.
The Broader Context
Carbondale’s economic struggles reflect broader trends in rural and small-town Illinois, where declining industry, population loss, and underinvestment have created persistent poverty. Despite efforts to revitalize the region, Carbondale remains emblematic of these challenges, with nearly half its population living in poverty.
Carbondale has been named the poorest town in Illinois, with a poverty rate of 43.1% and a median household income of just $22,152—making it the state’s most economically challenged community by several key measures.
Sources:
- https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/07/towns-in-illinois-with-the-worst-poverty/
- https://www.theworkersrights.com/top-10-poorest-city-in-illinois/
- https://www.wsiu.org/state-of-illinois/2024-06-11/illinois-made-a-bold-promise-to-end-poverty-in-alexander-county-its-hard-to-tell
- https://967theeagle.net/10-illinois-towns-with-the-lowest-income/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-13-illinois-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-entire-state/