Shelton has been named the poorest town in Washington in a recent 24/7 Wall St. analysis, based on a poverty rate of 26.5% and a median household income of $57,907. The ranking used U.S. Census American Community Survey data and compared towns with populations between 1,000 and 25,000.
Why Shelton Was Ranked First
The report points to Shelton’s high poverty rate as the main reason it topped the list. It also notes that the town’s unemployment rate and education levels are part of the broader economic picture. While Shelton is not the largest place in the state, its income and poverty figures stand out among similar-sized Washington communities.
How The Ranking Was Made
24/7 Wall St. says it reviewed five-year Census estimates and focused on median household income to identify the poorest town in each state. The outlet limited the comparison to places with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 so the list would reflect smaller communities rather than major cities. That means the result is a snapshot of one method, not the only way to measure poverty.
Other High-Poverty Towns
The same analysis placed West Clarkston-Highland second, with a poverty rate of 25.0% and median household income of $50,172. Othello, Centralia, and Airway Heights also appeared near the top of the list. Another Washington poverty ranking from a different source named Oroville as the poorest town, showing that results can vary depending on the dataset and method used.
What The Numbers Mean
A town being labeled “poorest” does not mean every resident is struggling, but it does indicate that a large share of households face economic hardship. Poverty rates, unemployment, education, and income together help explain why some communities rank lower than others.
These rankings are useful for spotting patterns, but they do not capture every local factor, such as cost of living or temporary economic change.
SOURCES:
- https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/13/towns-in-washington-state-with-the-worst-poverty/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-08-the-poorest-town-in-washington/
