The town most frequently named the poorest in Mississippi is Glendora, located in Tallahatchie County. As of 2025, Glendora has a population of about 132 people, with an estimated 90% poverty rate and a median household income of just $10,875.
This makes it not only the poorest town in Mississippi, but also one of the most impoverished communities in the entire United States. Glendora’s economic challenges are compounded by its small size, lack of job opportunities, and historical significance as the site of major events in the civil rights movement.
Other towns in Mississippi also face extreme poverty, such as Symonds (with a 100% poverty rate but only about 34 residents), Glen Allan, Bethlehem, and Doddsville, all located in the Mississippi Delta—a region widely recognized as America’s most forgotten and impoverished.
However, Glendora consistently stands out in recent rankings and documentaries for its exceptionally low income and high poverty rate5.
Summary:
- Poorest town in Mississippi (2025): Glendora
- Population: ~132
- Poverty rate: ~90%
- Median household income: ~$10,8755
The Mississippi Delta region as a whole remains the state’s—and one of the nation’s—poorest areas, with Glendora at the forefront of this hardship.
Sources:
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USLTKITtQ7g
- https://magnoliatribune.com/2017/05/17/indianola_named_poorest_town_in_mississippi
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53mGZ74OrsA
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdouljdxSGw