Falls City, Nebraska, with a population of just over 4,000 residents, has gained recognition as the poorest town in the state according to several recent analyses, most notably by 24/7 Wall St. in 2023. This designation is based primarily on its low median household income, which is significantly below the Nebraska state average, and a relatively high reliance on government assistance among its residents.
The data from 24/7 Wall St. highlights Falls City’s median household income at $37,712 per year, compared to Nebraska’s statewide median of $66,644. Nearly 10.3% of households in Falls City receive some form of government aid to afford basic necessities, a figure that underscores the financial challenges many families face. The report notes that inflation and rising costs of goods and services disproportionately impact communities like Falls City, where incomes are already low and the ability to absorb price increases is limited.
However, more recent local data from Falls City’s official demographic profile and other sources show a slight increase in the median household income, now reported as between $44,413 and $45,750 depending on the year and source. Even with this improvement, Falls City’s median income remains well below the state average and is among the lowest for towns of its size. The average household income is higher—ranging from $63,212 to $71,469—but this figure is skewed by a relatively small number of higher-earning households, while the majority of residents earn much less.
The town’s economic struggles are reflected in its poverty rates and the distribution of household incomes. According to the latest figures, over 450 people in Falls City live below the poverty line, and a significant portion of households earn less than $35,000 annually. The town’s housing market also illustrates the economic divide: while the median home value is around $96,000, there are a substantial number of homes valued under $50,000 and a smaller but notable segment of higher-value properties. This suggests a mix of long-term residents with limited resources and a few more affluent households.
Other rankings and reports, such as those by RoadSnacks, have identified different Nebraska towns as the poorest based on alternative criteria, such as poverty rates. For example, Wayne, Nebraska, is sometimes cited as the poorest due to its high poverty rate of 25.8%, despite having a slightly higher median household income than Falls City. However, when considering median household income specifically for towns with populations between 1,000 and 25,000, Falls City consistently ranks at the bottom.
The broader context of poverty in Nebraska shows that while the state’s overall poverty rate is relatively low at 10.4%, certain counties and towns, particularly in rural areas, experience much higher rates of economic hardship. Sheridan, Thurston, and Pawnee Counties are among those with the highest poverty rates in the state, but Falls City stands out among incorporated towns due to its low median income and the challenges faced by its residents.
Falls City is widely recognized as the poorest town in Nebraska when measured by median household income among towns of its size. Its residents face significant financial challenges, with many relying on government assistance to make ends meet. While other towns may have higher poverty rates, Falls City’s low median income and the economic realities of daily life for its residents make it a clear example of regional economic disparity in the state. This situation highlights the broader issues of rural economic decline, limited job opportunities, and the impact of inflation on small communities across Nebraska.
Sources
[1] https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-13-nebraska-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-entire-state/
[2] https://www.fallscitynebraska.org/our-community/falls-city-demographic-profile/p/v/data/item/806/falls-city-ne
[3] https://www.point2homes.com/US/Neighborhood/NE/Falls-City-Demographics.html
[4] https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-public-affairs-and-community-service/center-for-public-affairs-research/documents/poverty-infographic.pdf
[5] https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/reports/research/the_affordable_housing_challenges.pdf
