Several sources identify the poorest town in New York State, using different metrics and years for their surveys. Here are some of the findings:
- Kaser: According to a 2020 American Community Survey, Kaser, located in Rockland County, is New York’s poorest town. The median household income was $23,030, with a poverty rate of 63.3%. The median home value in Kaser was $1,096,200.
- New Square: Another source names New Square, also in Rockland County, as the poorest town in New York State. The data is based on 5-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey. New Square’s median household income is $24,881. Over 70% of households receive SNAP benefits.
- Kiryas Joel: OnlyInYourState.com identifies Kiryas Joel as the poorest city in New York. The average salary is just over $4,000 annually. Kiryas Joel also has the lowest per capita income out of any location in America with a population of over 10,000 residents.
These towns, particularly Kaser and New Square, are located in Rockland County and have a high population of Hasidic Jews. While these reports indicate low household incomes and high poverty rates, the median home values in these areas can be surprisingly high.It’s also worth noting that a recent report indicated poverty in New York City has increased, with 2 million New Yorkers living in poverty. The citywide poverty rate jumped from 18% to 23% between 2021 and 2022.
Sources:
- https://wour.com/poorest-town-in-new-york/
- https://hudsonvalleypost.com/the-poorest-town-in-new-york-state-was-just-uncovered/
- https://wblk.com/poorest-cities-new-york-state-23/
- https://wibx950.com/these-are-the-top-35-poorest-places-to-live-in-new-york-state/
