While people across the country still struggle to recover after the recession, some folks are doing better than others. While much of Arizona thrives, many cities in Arizona suffer from overall poverty and income inequality. The eight cities listed here are the poorest, as stated by the website RoadSnacks.com. The site determined the poorest cities in Arizona by the following criteria:
- Poverty level
- Median income
- Unemployment rate
These eight Arizona towns all have some wonderful people, rich histories and thriving community traditions. This list isn’t meant to demean these places – just simply to bring awareness to parts of the great state of Arizona that could use some extra attention and love from its wealthier citizens.
- Whiteriver
Alan Stark/flickr With an unemployment rate of 53 percent, it’s hard for the residents of Whiteriver to get ahead. The community is part of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. 44.2 percent of the 4,315 people living here are at or below the poverty line.
- San Carlos
San Carlos Apache Tribe/Facebook San Carlos is the largest community in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Nearly half of the residents here live in poverty; it’s considered one of the poorest Native American communities in the U.S. While this community might struggle financially, its residents have strong community ties - the town hosts a rodeo, community events and proudly cheers for its student sports teams and academic successes.
- Sacaton
Marine 69-71/Wikimedia Sacaton is the capital of the Gila River Indian Community. It has approximately 3,00 residents; the unemployment rate here is 24.3%. Nearly half of Sacaton’s residents live at or below the poverty line.
- Desert Hills
Google Desert Hills is an unincorporated area about 30 miles from Phoenix. The poverty rate here is 41.1 percent, with a 33.4 percent unemployment rate.
- South Tucson
Kevin Schraer/flickr South Tucson is completely surrounded by Tucson proper; 42.8 percent of its approximately 5,000 residents live in poverty. The little town is well-known for its outstanding Mexican restaurants and the murals painted on the sides of many buildings here.
- New Kingman-Butler
Google Maps The city of New Kingman-Butler is just north of Kingman, but is typically called “Butler” by locals. The poverty rate here is 34.4 percent; about 24.7 percent of residents are unemployed.
- Ajo
Ken Lund/flickr More than one fourth of Ajo’s residents are unemployed. This little town of around 3,700 people is less than 50 miles from the Mexican border. The community takes pride in its local high school (the Ajo Red Raiders).
- Kayenta
Sean Horan/flickr Kayenta is part of the Navajo nation, and has around 5,000 residents. The poverty rate here is just over 41 percent. The town is well-known for its Fourth of July Rodeo - an event that spans three days and has won the Rodeo of the Year award presented by the Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association SIX times.
Are you curious about which of Arizona’s cities are the wealthiest? Here are the 8 Richest Cities In Arizona.
Alan Stark/flickr
With an unemployment rate of 53 percent, it’s hard for the residents of Whiteriver to get ahead. The community is part of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. 44.2 percent of the 4,315 people living here are at or below the poverty line.
San Carlos Apache Tribe/Facebook
San Carlos is the largest community in the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation. Nearly half of the residents here live in poverty; it’s considered one of the poorest Native American communities in the U.S. While this community might struggle financially, its residents have strong community ties - the town hosts a rodeo, community events and proudly cheers for its student sports teams and academic successes.
Marine 69-71/Wikimedia
Sacaton is the capital of the Gila River Indian Community. It has approximately 3,00 residents; the unemployment rate here is 24.3%. Nearly half of Sacaton’s residents live at or below the poverty line.
Desert Hills is an unincorporated area about 30 miles from Phoenix. The poverty rate here is 41.1 percent, with a 33.4 percent unemployment rate.
Kevin Schraer/flickr
South Tucson is completely surrounded by Tucson proper; 42.8 percent of its approximately 5,000 residents live in poverty. The little town is well-known for its outstanding Mexican restaurants and the murals painted on the sides of many buildings here.
Google Maps
The city of New Kingman-Butler is just north of Kingman, but is typically called “Butler” by locals. The poverty rate here is 34.4 percent; about 24.7 percent of residents are unemployed.
Ken Lund/flickr
More than one fourth of Ajo’s residents are unemployed. This little town of around 3,700 people is less than 50 miles from the Mexican border. The community takes pride in its local high school (the Ajo Red Raiders).
Sean Horan/flickr
Kayenta is part of the Navajo nation, and has around 5,000 residents. The poverty rate here is just over 41 percent. The town is well-known for its Fourth of July Rodeo - an event that spans three days and has won the Rodeo of the Year award presented by the Indian Rodeo Cowboys Association SIX times.
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