With a poverty rate of 10.3%, Wyoming has the 36th highest poverty rate in the United States, a position it shares with the state of Utah.
This is just slightly lower than the poverty rate of Iowa, and just slightly higher than the poverty rate of Colorado.
Where the Worst Poverty in Wyoming Occurs
There is only one place in Wyoming with a critical poverty rate (at least 50% above the state average), and that is in the city of Laramie with a poverty rate of 22.6%.
Laramie is one of Wyoming's three major cities, the other two being Casper and Cheyenne. Casper also has a poverty rate above the state average, but only by 1.1%.
One county, Albany County, comes close to having what is considered a critical poverty rate at 14.7%. However, this only seems to be because the county includes the city of Laramie.
Why the Worst Poverty in Wyoming Exists
While most of Wyoming is extremely rural, extreme poverty rates tend to cluster together in heavily populated urban areas. Because of this, it is important to realize some of the reasons behind urban poverty.
People living in heavily populated urban areas such as Laramie are completely reliant on the market for all of their most basic needs. These needs include utilities, food, shelter, and health care, among other things.
These needs are then all added up to equal the cost of living. If the cost of living is higher than the total income of a household, then we see pockets of poverty begin to form in these urban areas.
Many people do not realize that most people living in poverty do work. However, the jobs they work will usually offer bad hours for low wages.
With no chance to save up assets, the poor in these areas are also much more vulnerable to falling into poverty if anything at all goes wrong.
Some of the things that can push a low-wage working family into poverty are health crises, divorce with children involved, taking care of elderly parents, and an automobile accident.
Many of these poverty problems could be solved through urban planning techniques and policies, which are the focus of this blog.
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 Wyoming
Since the most critical poverty rates in Wyoming occur in heavily populated urban areas, it is relatively easier for charitable and outreach organizations to reach the people in need.
Some of these organizations include Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest, Red Cross, United Way, Poverty USA, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
These organizations fight poverty in many different ways, such as through affordable shelter, food relief, health care availability, local investment, and child care.
Other people who have helped to fight poverty in urban areas such as Laramie are national legislators who worked to raise the minimum wage. A higher minimum wage will make it easier for working-class people to sustain themselves and their families without federal assistance.
References:
United States Census Bureau
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