Poverty Rates in West Virginia
Rural Counties and Major Cities See Highest Amounts of Poverty
With a poverty rate of 16.2%, West Virginia has the 5th highest poverty rate in the United States, a position it shares with the state of Texas.
This is just slightly better than the poverty rate of Kentucky, but just slightly higher than the poverty rate of Alabama.
Where the Worst Poverty in West Virginia Occurs
The highest poverty rates in West Virginia occur in both rural counties on the southern border (see map below article), and in highly populated major cities.
Critical rates of poverty (at least 50% above the state average) occur in the following counties:
- McDowell (33.0%)
- Mingo (25.4%)
Poverty rates also reach critical levels in two of West Virginia’s five major cities (25,000 or more people), and they are the following:
- Huntington (24.7%)
- Morgantown (38.4%)
Why the Worst Poverty in West Virginia Exists
Areas of critical poverty in West Virginia occur in both the most heavily populated areas of the state, and the more rural areas of the state. Because of this, it is important to understand the set of reasons behind why each area can be prone to poverty.
In more rural areas such as McDowell or Mingo County, it can be much more difficult to access basic utilities such as electricity, water, and a sanitary sewage system than it is in urban areas.
Also, due to poor road maintenance, long distances, or lack of reliable transportation, it can be much more difficult to reach a school or hospital in some rural areas.
In the major cities such as Huntington or Morgantown, however, the higher poverty rates can be linked to a different set of reasons.
In heavily populated urban areas, people are completely reliant on the market for all of their most basic needs. These needs include things like food, shelter, utilities, education, and health care.
Most people living in poverty do work one or more jobs. However, if the cost of these basic needs goes up at a faster rate than the minimum wage, then the working poor living in these highly populated urban areas suffer.
The inability of people in these circumstances to save up assets makes them extremely vulnerable to any sort of crisis as well.
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 West Virginia
One organization working to end poverty in West Virginia is the Five Loaves and Two Fishes Food Bank, Inc.
The goal of this food bank is to distribute food and other relief supplies to families in need in poor counties of West Virginia, including McDowell.
In urban areas of West Virginia, national relief organizations such as Second Harvest, Red Cross, United Way, and Poverty USA are more likely to be the ones to help.
Also in urban areas, working-class people can expect a more realistic minimum wage very soon thanks to the work of national legislators. These legislators supported a higher minimum wage to help the working poor be better able to sustain themselves and their families without federal assistance.
References:
United States Census Bureau
Five Loaves and Two Fishes Food Bank
