Based on available data, there is no single town officially designated as the “poorest” in Kansas by state or federal authorities. However, lists and rankings often focus on the poorest counties rather than individual towns. According to recent rankings and poverty data, the county with the highest poverty rate in Kansas is typically identified as Chautauqua County.
Among the poorest counties in Kansas, Chautauqua County is commonly listed at the top, followed by Elk County, Jewell County, and others. These rankings are based on the percentage of residents living below the federal poverty line.
Key Points:
- Chautauqua County is frequently cited as the poorest county in Kansas.
- No official designation of a single “poorest town” exists at the state or federal level—most rankings refer to counties or ZIP codes.
- ZIP codes with the highest poverty rates (such as 66607 in Topeka and 66105 in Kansas City, KS) are sometimes highlighted, but these are within larger cities and not the same as identifying a town as the poorest overall.
Table
| Area Type | Example (Ranking) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| County | Chautauqua County | Often listed as poorest county in Kansas |
| ZIP Code | 66607 (Topeka), 66105 (KC, KS) | High poverty rates within city limits |
While Chautauqua County is frequently called the poorest county in Kansas, there is no official or widely recognized “poorest town” designation for the state. Rankings and news reports most often refer to counties or ZIP codes with the highest poverty rates.
Sources
[1] https://hdpulse.nimhd.nih.gov/data-portal/_social/poverty/table?statefips=20&demo=00007
[2] https://sentinelksmo.org/rich-states-poor-states-survey-2025/
[3] https://www.aol.com/10-counties-poorest-kansas-ranking-151215396.html
[4] https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/rankings/zips-in-ks/poverty_rate/
[5] https://hdpulse.nimhd.nih.gov/data-portal/_social/poverty/
