The Poorest Town In Washington
By Zuri Anderson
November 8, 2023
We dove deep into the richest town in Washington State and how much you need to make just to live there. Now we're looking at the other side of the spectrum at towns that have languished in terms of economy, job markets, real estate values, and other woes. Even before inflation threw off Americans across the country, these places have been struggling before the COVID-19 pandemic and after the fact.
If you're curious about these locations, 24/7 Wall St. updated its list of every state's poorest town. Here's how analysts utilized data to compile their roundup:
"Using five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey, 24/7 Wall St. identified the poorest town in each state. We considered any city, town, or unincorporated community with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 people, and ranked them by median household income."
According to the study, Washington's poorest town is Oroville. The median household income is $32,083 compared to the state average of $82,400. Researchers say 30.3% of households receive SNAP benefits. The median household value is $142,700. Nearly 1,700 people live in this Okanogan County town.