With a poverty rate of 16.2%, Texas has the 5th highest poverty rate in the United States, a position it shares with West Virginia.
This is just slightly better than the poverty rate of Kentucky, and just slightly higher than the poverty rate of Alabama.
Where the Worst Poverty in Texas Occurs
The worst poverty in Texas occurs in both isolated rural counties of southern and western regions of Texas (see map below article), and in heavily populated major cities.
The counties experiencing critical poverty rates (at least 50% above the state average) are the following:
- Bee (24.9%)
- Brooks (28.8%)
- Cameron (29.4%)
- Dimmit (28.2%)
- Duval (25.3%)
- El Paso (24.6%)
- Frio (28.0%)
- Hidalgo (30.5%)
- Hudspeth (26.6%)
- Karnes (24.9%)
- La Salle (26.3%)
- Maverick (27.9%)
- Presidio (26.4%)
- Reeves (25.9%)
- Starr (34.8%)
- Webb (26.8%)
- Willacy (29.6%)
- Zapata (27.2%)
- Zavala (31.6%)
Critical poverty rates are also found in the following major cities (25,000 or more people):
- Brownsville (36.0%)
- College Station (37.4%)
- Del Rio (27.0%)
- Edinburg (29.2%)
- Harlingen (24.9%)
- Kingsville (28.3%)
- Laredo (29.6%)
- Mission (26.8%)
- Nacogdoches (32.3%)
- Pharr (35.5%)
- Port Arthur (25.2%)
- San Juan (34.4%)
- San Marcos (28.5%)
- Socorro (32.6%)
- Waco (26.3%)
- Weslaco (30.9%)
Why the Worst Poverty in Texas Exists
Since critical rates of poverty so high above the Texas average are found in such a huge number of major cities and counties, it is apparent that the poverty in Texas is very isolated and segregated from the rest of the state.
When this segregation occurs, the areas in which the poorest Texans live can become stigmatized.
This negative stigma of the areas discourages businesses from investing in the region, which causes a rise in unemployment. It will also make the areas unattractive choices for teachers and health care professionals, leading to poor quality education and health care.
In the rural areas of southern and western Texas this isolation leads to a lack of information. This lack of information is caused by both geographical distances from major cities, and a lack of interest from politicians.
In the urban areas of Texas, this negative stigma of the poor neighborhoods leads to an increase in crime, decreased and/or negative levels of attention from police, and very low wage jobs.
All of these problems make extreme poverty in the areas continually worse and harder to escape from.
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone.
What is Being Done about Poverty in Texas
One research and advocacy organization working to improve the lives of the poor in Texas is the Center for Public Policy Priorities.
The Center for Public Policy Priorities (CPPP) has been a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization committed to improving public policies and private practices to better the economic and social conditions of low- and moderate-income Texans.
Other organizations working to alleviate the problems associated with poverty include Habitat for Humanity and the USDA Rural Development branch in rural areas.
In urban areas, there are organizations like Poverty USA, Second Harvest, Red Cross, United Way, and Big Brothers Big Sisters working to help the poor in Texas.
Other people working to help the poor in urban areas are national legislators who worked to raise the minimum wage. A higher minimum wage will make it easier for the working poor in Texas to sustain themselves and their families without federal assistance.
References:
United States Census Bureau
Center for Public Policy Priorities
