The town named the poorest in Wyoming for 2025 is Fort Washakie. According to recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey analyzed by 24/7 Wall St., Fort Washakie has a median household income of about $40,000 compared to Wyoming’s state median of $72,495. The poverty rate in Fort Washakie stands at 27.1%, which is significantly higher than the state average of 10.7%. In addition, only around 10.1% of residents have at least a bachelor’s degree, much lower than the statewide rate of 29.0%. The median home value in the town is $160,700.
Fort Washakie’s population is approximately 1,481 people. While it faces economic challenges compared to more prosperous areas in Wyoming, the town’s median income is still higher and the poverty rate lower than the poorest towns in several neighboring states. Factors contributing to such economic challenges include lower education levels, limited employment opportunities, and possibly lower access to resources commonly associated with higher incomes. The situation reflects a broader trend where smaller towns with fewer educational and job resources struggle with poverty relative to state and national averages.
Lusk, Wyoming, has also been referenced as one of the poorer towns with a median household income of $38,477 and a poverty rate of 25.1%, but Fort Washakie currently retains the position as the poorest in official rankings. These towns exemplify economic hardships in Wyoming despite the state having a relatively strong overall economy driven by energy, agriculture, and tourism sectors.
Residents and policymakers in these towns continue to face challenges improving economic opportunities and increasing educational attainment to reduce poverty over time. Recognizing these towns as areas needing targeted investments in infrastructure, education, and workforce development helps highlight the disparities that exist even in relatively affluent states like Wyoming.
Sources
(https://jacksonholepress.com/each-states-poorest-town-lusk-wyoming/)
(https://247wallst.com/income/2025/01/17/the-poorest-town-in-every-state-in-america/)
(https://travel.alot.com/themes/poorest-city-in-every-state–15464)
(https://stacker.com/stories/wyoming/cities-wyoming-most-living-poverty)
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtIqLfCKvf0)
