Several towns in Illinois face significant economic challenges. Factors contributing to these struggles include high unemployment, low median household incomes, limited educational opportunities, and deteriorating infrastructure. Here are some of the towns recognized as among the poorest in Illinois:
- Carbondale: Carbondale is considered one of the poorest cities in Illinois. The typical household in the Carbondale-Marion metro area earns $50,953 per year, which is less than the national median. Around 17.1% of the population in this area lives below the poverty level.
- Cahokia Heights: Cahokia Heights faces significant economic challenges, including a high poverty rate. The median household income is well below the state average, and unemployment rates are higher than the state average. In 2024, Cahokia Heights has a poverty rate of 41.2%.
- East St. Louis: East St. Louis has faced economic challenges for decades, resulting in widespread poverty and urban decay. The median household income is significantly lower than the national average, and unemployment rates are consistently high.
- Harvey: Harvey, a suburb south of Chicago, ranks among the poorest neighborhoods in Illinois. The median household income is substantially lower than the state average, and unemployment rates exceed state and national averages.
- Ford Heights: Ford Heights faces significant economic challenges, including high rates of poverty and unemployment. Education levels are lower than average, and crime rates are higher than in many surrounding areas.
- Robbins: Robbins faces significant economic challenges. The median household income falls well below the state average, and unemployment rates are notably high.
Other towns mentioned as having some of the lowest incomes in Illinois include Elizabethtown, Centreville, Madison, Ullin, Venice, Cairo, Sorento, and Bellwood. Englewood, located on Chicago’s South Side, also ranks among Illinois’ poorest neighborhoods.
SOURCE
[1] https://967theeagle.net/10-illinois-towns-with-the-lowest-income/
[2] https://www.theworkersrights.com/top-10-poorest-city-in-illinois/
[3] https://moneyinc.com/50-poorest-neighborhoods-in-illinois/
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/illinois/comments/175ww2u/discover_the_poorest_town_in_illinois/
