One of the Poorest Cities in California Has Been Revealed

Photo byElijah EkdahlonUnsplash

In recent times, the United States has witnessed a significant rise in inflation, reaching a multi-decade high in June 2022. This price surge has affected everyone, but lower-income households most acutely feel its impact.

As of July 2023, the typical American family spends approximately $709 more on the same goods and services than they did two years ago. This financial strain is particularly evident in several cities nationwide, where the realities of inflation are harsh and unyielding.

The Disproportionate Impact on Lower-Income Households

Inflation hits harder for those with limited income. For many Americans earning less, there's little room in their budgets for anything beyond essentials like food, transportation, and housing. A recent U.S. Census Bureau survey highlighted this disparity: 82.5% of households earning under $50,000 reported difficulties managing household expenses, compared to only 34.4% of those with incomes above $200,000.

To understand the extent of financial hardship, looking at the poorest cities in each state is helpful. Based on median household income data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey, this analysis reveals a diverse landscape of economic challenges.

El Centro, California

El Centro in California serves as a stark example. With a median household income of $49,078 in 2022, it is the lowest among 26 metro areas in the state. The poverty rate in El Centro is alarming, with 22.6% of the population living below the poverty line. This rate is the seventh highest among 384 U.S. metro areas. Furthermore, 9.7% of households in El Centro have incomes under $10,000, ranking it 13th highest in the same category.

Sources:

https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/12/15/the-poorest-city-in-every-state-3/

https://datausa.io/profile/geo/el-centro-ca

https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/el-centro-imperial-ca/