America's poorest zip codes
The United States is one of the richest countries in the world and is known for its high standard of living. However, the country's wealth is unevenly distributed and some parts of the country live in abject poverty.
In this article, we'll share more about these areas as we list the poorest zip codes in the US based on median household income.
Top10 - 44115 Cleveland, OH
You might think that people living in successful cities would have higher incomes, but that's not always the case. Even though the zip code of 44115 is in central Cleveland, its median household income is only $13,625.
One of the reasons for low household incomes in this part of the city is that the area is mostly home to young people, with an average age of 24.6. Young people tend to have lower earning power compared to adults in their 30s and 50s.
Top9 - 35470 Livingston, Alabama
Livingston is a small city in Sumter County, Alabama. While this is a beautiful part of the country, it is not a thriving area. Unemployment in the city tends to be higher than the national average, and most jobs are poorly paid.
Livingston has a median household income of $13,506, with 58.5% of the population earning less than $15,000 a year. By comparison, only 11.5 percent of workers nationwide make less than $15,000 a year.
Top8 - 45225, Cincinnati, Ohio
This Ohio zip code includes the Washington Camp area, a few miles northwest of the Cincinnati CBD. It's a poor neighborhood with a slightly above-average unemployment rate and a median household income of $13,491.
Top7 - 43604 Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio is a mid-sized city located on the west corner of Lake Erie. While it's a charming city, many residents find themselves living below the poverty line.
The 43604 zip code is the poorest part of the city. Located in central Toledo, residents in this part of the city have a median household income of just $13,484, well below the U.S. annual average of $53,482. They also have to deal with high crime rates and above-average unemployment.
Top6 - 37402 Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is a well-known city located in Hamilton County, Tennessee. Famous for its Civil War battlefields, the city still attracts a large number of military history buffs each year.
The city is popular with tourists because it offers a variety of attractions, including the Tennessee Aquarium, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the Chattanooga National Military Park.
Unfortunately, many residents of Chattanooga are struggling to do this. In the ZIP code of 37402, the median household income was just $13,204.
Top5 - 79901 El Paso, Texas
El Paso is an exciting city with a rich culture, both Texan and Mexican. Unfortunately, parts of the city fell into poverty, including the 79901 zip code. Residents in parts of the city have a median household income of just $13,087 a year.
Top4 - 90021 Los Angeles, CA
When most people think of Los Angeles zip codes starting at 90, they tend to think of famous and affluent suburbs like 90210 (Beverly Hills) or 90266 (Manhattan Beach). But 90021 is very different from those affluent areas.
Crime, poverty and unemployment are all above average in this part of Central Los Angeles. The median household income in the area is $12,864, with 54.5% of residents earning less than $15,000.
Top3 - 06702 Waterbury, CT
Waterbury is a large industrial/college town located approximately 75 miles northeast of New York City. It is indeed a beautiful part with a pristine natural environment. However, the residents of Waterbury are doing tough things. The city's median household income is a very low $12,036, with 64% of residents earning less than $15,000.
Top2 - 85147 Sakaton, Arizona
Sacaton is a town of about 1,500 people located in south-central Arizona, just below Phoenix. It is the capital of the Gila River Indian community and home to most of the Native American peoples. Residents of Sakaton have to scrape by with a median household income of $11,813.
Top1 - 16501 Erie, PA
Erie is a small industrial city on the shores of Lake Erie, Pennsylvania. It is the third largest city in the United States and a major industrial center. The zip code of 16501 includes some downtown portions of the city.
Residents living in this area are mostly older (median age 54.3) and tend to be very poor. 16501 had a median income of $10,873, making it the poorest zip code in the country.