The town most frequently named the poorest in Louisiana as of recent data is Urania, Louisiana. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey and analyses in 2023, Urania has the lowest median annual household income in the state, reported at just $12,358, with a poverty rate around 40.4%. This small town reflects many of the economic challenges faced by rural Louisiana towns, including declining local industries, low educational attainment (only about 5.4% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher), and limited job opportunities.
Other analyses have identified towns like Natchitoches as poor Louisiana communities with a median household income higher than Urania’s—around $21,854—and a poverty rate of 46.8%, but Urania’s median income is distinctly lower, making it stand out as the poorest.
Additionally, recent studies confirm that Louisiana overall has significant pockets of deep poverty, especially in small towns and rural areas, with towns like Urania epitomizing these economic struggles tied to historical industry declines and lack of resources.
While several Louisiana towns experience high poverty, Urania is identified as the poorest town by median household income and exemplifies the economic hardships persistently affecting rural parts of the state.
Sources
[1] https://neworleanscitybusiness.com/blog/2020/08/23/natchitoches-ranks-the-poorest-of-louisiana-towns-study-finds/
[2] https://kpel965.com/new-report-says-this-north-louisiana-town-is-the-poorest-in-the-state/
[3] https://247wallst.com/special-report/2023/04/03/this-small-town-in-louisiana-has-the-lowest-median-income-in-america/
[4] https://zipatlas.com/us/la/city-comparison/highest-poverty.htm
[5] https://www.fcnl.org/updates/2024-09/top-10-poorest-states-us
