The town currently identified as the poorest in Missouri is Van Buren, where nearly 41.9% of its residents live in poverty.
This figure is significantly higher than the state average of 12.8%. Van Buren, located in southern Missouri, has a median household income of just $22,000, far below the state median of approximately $65,000.
Additionally, only 5.8% of its population holds a bachelor’s degree or higher, and home values are about half the state average.
Van Buren’s economic struggles are compounded by its small population, which has been steadily declining since the 1980s.
As of the last census, only 747 people reside there. Despite its financial challenges, Van Buren is surrounded by natural beauty, including Big Spring and the Current River, which offer potential for tourism-driven economic growth.
Interestingly, other reports have named Versailles, another small town in central Missouri, as the poorest town based on slightly different criteria.
Versailles has a median household income of $22,786 and a poverty rate of 26.7%, with about 2,500 residents.
These discrepancies highlight how poverty can be measured differently depending on factors like population size and data sources.
Both towns reflect broader issues faced by rural Missouri communities, including limited access to high-wage jobs and educational opportunities.
Sources
- https://khmoradio.com/what-is-missouris-poorest-town-nearly-half-live-in-poverty/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2024-01-09-missouri-county-named-the-poorest-in-the-state/
- https://www.communityaction.org/missouri-poverty-facts/
- https://talkbusiness.net/2021/09/van-buren-mayor-chamber-working-with-consulting-firm-on-economic-growth-plan/
- https://937thebull.iheart.com/content/2023-11-14-missouri-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-state/