The town that has been named the poorest in West Virginia is McDowell County. While the question refers to a “town,” poverty statistics in West Virginia are most often reported at the county level due to the rural nature and small population of many communities.
McDowell County is consistently identified as both the poorest county in West Virginia and one of the poorest in the entire United States.
- Median Household Income: McDowell County has a median household income of just $27,682, which is more than 40% below the state median.
- Poverty Rate: An estimated 31.7% of McDowell’s population lives in poverty, making it not only the poorest in the state but also the 34th poorest county in the nation.
- Additional Indicators: Over 80% of McDowell County’s school children qualify for free or reduced-cost lunch, a strong indicator of widespread economic hardship.
The persistent poverty in McDowell County is deeply rooted, driven by decades of economic decline following the collapse of the coal industry, limited job opportunities, and a lack of access to essential services.
While there are pockets of poverty in other parts of West Virginia, McDowell County stands out as the area with the most severe and enduring economic challenges.
Sources:
- https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/rankings/zips-in-wv/poverty_rate/
- https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2024/01/16/heres-what-persistent-poverty-looks-like-in-west-virginia/
- https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBt4MZqyXQ_/
- https://www.wvencyclopedia.org/entries/1850