JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – A report shows that a state known for its poverty nationally does not show much grace to its poorest residents.

The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that about 11.5%, or over 38.5 million Americans, live in poverty. In Mississippi, that number is roughly 561,000 people or nearly one in five residents. That is the highest share of impoverished residents nationally. Still, SmileHub ranks Mississippi as the least hospitable state for people in poverty.

According to SmileHub, Mississippi ranks 39th for charities reducing poverty per capita and 31st for its minimum wage. Additionally, Mississippi ranks 48th for its food insecurity rate and access to public transportation. All these factors played a role in the state’s 50th overall ranking for the poor by SmileHub.

An ADP Research Institute report in June shows that Mississippi’s median pay and wage growth are among the lowest in the United States. The Hospitality State’s annual pay of $44,600 is roughly 24% lower than the national average. It is also the second lowest pay nationally. Since June 2023, Mississippi wage growth has been the smallest nationwide. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Mississippi’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.

According to a USA Today study , groceries on average have a bigger impact on Mississippian’s budgets than residents of any other state. Mississippi’s 7% grocery tax, the highest in the country, likely contributes to the price Mississippians pay for food.

Census data revealed that roughly 0.3% of people used public transportation statewide in 2022. About 91.5% of Mississippians either drove or carpooled to work. Gas typically costs Mississippians $1,712 yearly. That takes up around 3.3% of the overall income of the typical Mississippi household, the third-highest share in the United States.

Not all statistics are grim for the state’s poor. According to SmileHub, the state has the second most affordable rental homes per low-income household nationally.

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