The poverty rate in this particular southeastern Kansas city is more than double the state average
KSNF/KODE — The US Census Bureau recently released the latest five-year estimates from the American Community Survey, an ongoing national demographic snapshot that compiles the social, economic and housing characteristics of millions of households each year.
According to the latest data, the typical American family earned an average of $69,021 in the five years ending in 2021. While this latest figure represents a modest 6% increase over estimates for the five-year period ending in 2020, for for most Americans, any increase in income has been wiped out by rising inflation.
Although the consumer price index has fallen since hitting a multi-decade high of 9.1% in June 2022, inflation remains at an all-time high and Americans across the country are feeling the pinch, especially those in the lower end of the income spectrum, without the mean absorbing rising costs.
According to the latest five-year ACS data, the typical Kansas family earns $64,521 a year, although there are many places in the state where incomes are much lower. Of the 188 cities in the state with available data, Chetopa (located in extreme southeast Kansas) ranks as the poorest in the Sunflower State. According to the financial news website, 247wallst.com, the typical Chetopa family makes just $21,843 a year; 66.1% less than the state median household income.
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Given low incomes, it is not surprising that a higher than average percentage of residents live in poverty. The local poverty rate in Chetopa is 28.3%, compared to the statewide poverty rate of 11.5%, more than double the Kansas rate.
The data used to determine the poorest city in Kansas also applies to all 50 states. If you’re curious which city is named the poorest in your state, find out with the following table:
