According to recent analyses of U.S. Census Bureau data and reports from 24/7 Wall St., Scotland Neck holds the distinction of being the poorest town in North Carolina.
This small community in eastern North Carolina has a population of around 2,000 residents and faces significant economic challenges.
Key Statistics for Scotland Neck
- Median Household Income: $15,985
- Median Home Value: $63,300
- Percentage of Households Receiving SNAP Benefits: 46%
- State Averages for Comparison:
- Median household income: $60,516
- Median home value: $197,500
These figures highlight a stark contrast between Scotland Neck and the broader state averages, underscoring the depth of financial hardship in the town. The high percentage of households relying on SNAP benefits (nearly half) further illustrates the economic vulnerability of its residents.
How Was This Determined?
The ranking comes from a 24/7 Wall St. study, which used five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
The methodology focused on towns with populations between 1,000 and 25,000, ranking them by median household income. Scotland Neck’s median income is not only the lowest in North Carolina but also among the lowest in the nation for towns of its size.
Broader Context
While other North Carolina towns like Forest City, Laurinburg, and Williamston also face high poverty rates and low median incomes, Scotland Neck stands out for its especially low household income and high reliance on public assistance.
For example, Forest City has a higher poverty rate (38.9%) but a median household income of $35,232—more than double that of Scotland Neck.
Scotland Neck is currently recognized as the poorest town in North Carolina, with economic indicators well below state and national averages. The town’s struggles reflect broader issues of economic opportunity, employment, and access to resources facing many small rural communities across the state.
Sources:
- https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/09/towns-in-north-carolina-with-the-worst-poverty/
- https://q1041.iheart.com/content/2023-11-14-north-carolina-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-state/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-14-north-carolina-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-state/
- https://ncbudget.org/new-census-poverty-data-1-3-million-living-in-poverty-in-nc/
- https://www.wsj.com/us-news/a-poor-north-carolina-county-is-counting-on-trump-for-a-comeback-f6f1c82b