According to recent analyses using U.S. Census Bureau data, Oroville has been named the poorest town in Washington. The study, highlighted by 24/7 Wall St., considered towns with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 and ranked them by median household income.
Oroville, located in Okanogan County, stands out with a median household income of $32,083, which is significantly lower than the state average of $82,400. Additionally, about 30.3% of households in Oroville receive SNAP benefits, and the median home value is $142,700.
How Oroville Compares Statewide
- Median Household Income: $32,083 (State average: $82,400)
- Households Receiving SNAP: 30.3%
- Median Home Value: $142,700
- Population: Nearly 1,700
These figures reflect persistent economic challenges in Oroville, with high rates of public assistance and low property values compared to the rest of Washington.
Other Notably Poor Cities in Washington
While Oroville is the poorest town based on median income for towns under 25,000 residents, other cities with larger populations also struggle economically:
- Yakima is identified as the poorest city in Washington with a population over 25,000, with a median household income of $44,950 and a poverty rate of 20.4%.
- Pullman, Cheney, and Ellensburg are also frequently listed among the state’s poorest cities, especially among college towns where student populations skew income and poverty statistics.
Oroville holds the title of the poorest town in Washington, marked by low median income, high reliance on public assistance, and limited economic opportunities. For larger cities, Yakima is often cited as the poorest, but among smaller communities, Oroville stands out as facing the greatest economic hardship.
Sources:
- https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/13/towns-in-washington-state-with-the-worst-poverty/
- https://97rockonline.com/10-richest-and-poorest-cities-in-washington-state/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-08-the-poorest-town-in-washington/
- https://newstalkkit.com/yakima-on-poor-cities-list/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-12-14-this-is-washington-states-poorest-city/