Salida del Sol Estates, a small community in Texas, has been identified as the poorest town in the state based on 2022-2024 data. With a staggering 66.7% poverty rate, it ranks far above the state and national averages. Here’s a breakdown of its socioeconomic challenges:
Key Statistics
- Median household income: $20,613 (vs. Texas median of $73,035)
- Unemployment rate: 1.6% (low, but reflective of limited job opportunities)
- Adults with bachelor’s degrees: 3.2% (vs. 32.3% statewide)
- Population: ~6,172
The town struggles with systemic issues like low educational attainment, scarce economic opportunities, and limited infrastructure.
Other Noteworthy Poor Towns in Texas
- Sparks: 58.2% poverty rate, median income of $30,848, and 10.7% unemployment.
- Doolittle: 55.8% poverty rate, with 22.3% unemployment.
- Raymondville: Named the poorest city by some metrics, with nearly half its population below the poverty line and rampant drug trafficking.
Factors Driving Poverty
- Education gap: Most adults lack college degrees, limiting access to higher-paying jobs.
- Economic decline: Many towns rely on agriculture or outdated industries with shrinking job markets.
- Crime and infrastructure: High crime rates and failing public services further deter investment.
Comparative Context
- Escobares (62% poverty in 2016) was historically the poorest but has been surpassed by newer data.
- San Antonio and Houston rank among the poorest major U.S. cities, with poverty rates of 18.7% and 20%, respectively.
Salida del Sol Estates exemplifies extreme rural poverty in Texas, where systemic challenges overshadow low living costs.
Sources:
- https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/13/towns-in-texas-with-the-worst-poverty/
- https://www.propublica.org/article/scott-turner-hud-nominee-trump-public-housing-texas
- https://www.texastribune.org/2024/06/10/texas-guaranteed-income-programs/
- https://www.valuepenguin.com/car-insurance-rates-texas-study
- https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/slideshows/poorest-cities-in-the-us
