Neediest Cities

Adam McCann, Financial WriterDec 11, 2019

Adam McCann, Financial Writer
Dec 11, 2019

Hunger, poverty and homelessness affect every nation — even the richest and most powerful.

According to Feeding America, food insecurity plagues every U.S. county, with 37 million individuals lacking access to adequate food. 11.8 percent of the U.S. population lives in poverty. And in the absence of more affordable housing or accommodations provided by relatives or friends, many must take to the streets or shelters. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, shows that nearly 553,000 people — many of them children — had been homeless at one point in January 2018.

On the heels of our report on the most charitable states, WalletHub compared the more than 180 U.S. cities based on 28 key indicators of economic disadvantage, such as child poverty, food insecurity and uninsured rates. Read on for our findings, additional insight from our panel of experts and a full description of our methodology.

Table of Contents

Main Findings Ask the Experts Methodology

Main Findings

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Neediest Cities in America

Overall Rank*	City	Total Score	‘Economic Well-Being’ Rank	‘Health & Safety’ Rank
1	Detroit, MI	65.48	1	1
2	Cleveland, OH	59.73	5	5
3	New Orleans, LA	57.56	14	3
4	Brownsville, TX	56.61	10	11
5	Jackson, MS	56.33	8	22
6	Newark, NJ	56.00	6	31
7	St. Louis, MO	55.78	29	2
8	Philadelphia, PA	55.53	7	36
9	Memphis, TN	55.25	27	7
10	Birmingham, AL	55.12	31	4
11	Atlanta, GA	55.09	3	71
12	Los Angeles, CA	54.76	16	12
13	Gulfport, MS	54.71	21	9
14	Baltimore, MD	54.65	2	107
15	Indianapolis, IN	53.96	13	33
16	Fresno, CA	53.82	4	104
17	Richmond, VA	53.79	9	61
18	Augusta, GA	53.47	19	21
19	Shreveport, LA	53.23	12	54
20	San Bernardino, CA	52.86	25	27
21	Baton Rouge, LA	52.64	18	43
22	Laredo, TX	52.30	11	72
23	Miami, FL	52.28	28	26
24	Las Cruces, NM	51.19	34	28
25	Columbia, SC	51.16	23	60
26	Little Rock, AR	51.08	71	6
27	Wilmington, DE	50.95	17	83
28	Providence, RI	50.76	24	70
29	Norfolk, VA	50.59	20	78
30	Toledo, OH	50.52	39	23
31	Hialeah, FL	50.27	32	52
32	Albuquerque, NM	49.94	48	17
33	Cincinnati, OH	49.92	42	25
34	Dallas, TX	49.91	43	19
35	Rochester, NY	49.51	30	77
36	Buffalo, NY	49.49	38	44
37	Milwaukee, WI	49.35	40	45
38	New York, NY	49.32	15	124
39	San Francisco, CA	49.21	56	8
40	Chattanooga, TN	49.12	45	32
41	Long Beach, CA	48.68	36	69
42	Montgomery, AL	48.67	37	63
43	Oakland, CA	48.55	54	15
44	Houston, TX	48.46	83	10
45	New Haven, CT	48.05	22	137
46	Stockton, CA	47.24	44	67
47	Columbus, GA	47.22	57	30
48	Mobile, AL	46.99	49	57
49	Phoenix, AZ	46.93	52	55
50	Huntington, WV	46.92	67	42
51	Jacksonville, FL	46.54	66	47
52	Tucson, AZ	46.52	55	53
53	Kansas City, MO	46.48	72	40
54	Tulsa, OK	46.47	98	13
55	Portland, OR	46.35	75	38
56	Fayetteville, NC	46.30	41	111
57	Akron, OH	46.23	53	64
58	Amarillo, TX	46.10	76	35
59	San Antonio, TX	46.02	82	41
60	Oklahoma City, OK	45.54	103	24
61	Knoxville, TN	45.49	85	49
62	Chicago, IL	45.46	46	117
63	Charleston, WV	45.45	120	14
64	Fort Lauderdale, FL	45.43	51	96
65	Spokane, WA	45.30	117	16
66	Wichita, KS	45.26	111	20
67	Lewiston, ME	45.25	64	84
68	Corpus Christi, TX	45.24	112	29
69	Fort Smith, AR	45.22	102	34
70	Boston, MA	45.20	26	161
71	Nashville, TN	45.09	77	65
72	Glendale, AZ	45.01	88	50
73	Springfield, MO	44.97	109	18
74	Bridgeport, CT	44.88	47	125
75	St. Petersburg, FL	44.83	86	59
76	Las Vegas, NV	44.80	63	88
77	Tallahassee, FL	44.60	62	98
78	Newport News, VA	44.59	79	86
79	Honolulu, HI	44.22	84	66
80	Winston-Salem, NC	44.22	60	101
81	Greensboro, NC	44.20	74	81
82	Sacramento, CA	44.09	59	114
83	North Las Vegas, NV	44.06	50	130
84	Orlando, FL	44.01	69	102
85	Lubbock, TX	43.94	106	56
86	El Paso, TX	43.87	80	94
87	Jersey City, NJ	43.87	92	73
88	Washington, DC	43.84	35	157
88	Tampa, FL	43.84	65	119
90	Santa Ana, CA	43.82	99	62
91	Nampa, ID	43.70	81	99
92	Garland, TX	43.54	101	68
93	Columbus, OH	43.48	68	120
94	St. Paul, MN	43.46	61	123
95	Dover, DE	43.43	33	162
96	Tacoma, WA	43.32	129	37
97	Grand Rapids, MI	43.29	100	74
98	Worcester, MA	43.10	58	134
99	Reno, NV	43.04	130	39
100	Grand Prairie, TX	42.95	105	80
101	Manchester, NH	42.88	87	97
102	Charleston, SC	42.72	70	129
103	Denver, CO	42.72	95	92
104	Ontario, CA	42.48	90	110
105	Tempe, AZ	42.37	110	82
106	Salt Lake City, UT	42.35	138	46
107	Louisville, KY	42.29	113	76
108	West Valley City, UT	42.20	142	51
109	Oxnard, CA	41.99	91	118
110	Irving, TX	41.98	115	89
111	Anchorage, AK	41.66	147	48
112	Fort Wayne, IN	41.35	119	108
113	Burlington, VT	41.24	94	127
114	Missoula, MT	41.23	150	58
115	Charlotte, NC	40.96	107	122
116	Seattle, WA	40.93	139	75
117	Minneapolis, MN	40.88	93	138
118	Anaheim, CA	40.82	136	87
119	Santa Rosa, CA	40.78	73	153
120	Rapid City, SD	40.53	137	105
121	Mesa, AZ	40.50	116	121
122	Fort Worth, TX	40.47	146	79
123	Modesto, CA	40.46	78	155
124	Bakersfield, CA	40.39	108	128
125	Salem, OR	40.11	128	116
126	Omaha, NE	40.08	133	103
127	Glendale, CA	40.05	131	109
128	Des Moines, IA	39.97	114	131
129	Colorado Springs, CO	39.95	134	106
130	Portland, ME	39.91	141	113
131	Austin, TX	39.88	143	100
132	Arlington, TX	39.58	152	91
133	Moreno Valley, CA	39.32	97	148
134	Huntsville, AL	39.29	124	135
135	Pittsburgh, PA	39.21	144	115
136	Port St. Lucie, FL	39.15	118	140
137	Riverside, CA	39.09	132	126
138	Garden Grove, CA	39.07	148	112
139	Lexington-Fayette, KY	38.94	125	139
140	Fontana, CA	38.83	104	154
141	Aurora, CO	38.59	140	132
142	Vancouver, WA	38.43	154	93
143	Santa Clarita, CA	38.11	89	169
144	Yonkers, NY	37.91	96	164
145	Billings, MT	37.91	164	85
146	Durham, NC	37.69	135	141
147	Boise, ID	37.66	159	95
148	San Diego, CA	36.82	126	159
149	Cape Coral, FL	36.56	122	167
150	Chesapeake, VA	35.93	145	158
151	Aurora, IL	35.81	121	173
152	Chula Vista, CA	35.69	123	177
153	Lincoln, NE	35.62	158	136
154	Oceanside, CA	35.46	127	174
155	Pembroke Pines, FL	35.08	155	146
156	Cheyenne, WY	35.08	157	143
157	Raleigh, NC	34.68	149	168
158	Juneau, AK	34.21	179	90
159	Peoria, AZ	34.08	160	147
160	Sioux Falls, SD	33.86	165	145
161	Henderson, NV	33.79	151	175
162	Chandler, AZ	33.73	161	151
163	San Jose, CA	33.46	153	176
164	Casper, WY	33.44	174	133
165	Fargo, ND	33.06	170	144
166	Scottsdale, AZ	32.85	163	156
167	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	32.48	156	170
168	Warwick, RI	32.29	173	149
169	Cedar Rapids, IA	31.18	178	152
170	Gilbert, AZ	30.81	171	163
171	Madison, WI	30.20	162	181
172	Virginia Beach, VA	29.92	175	165
173	Nashua, NH	29.91	166	178
174	South Burlington, VT	29.88	177	166
175	Irvine, CA	29.79	167	179
176	Huntington Beach, CA	29.78	172	172
177	Bismarck, ND	29.51	181	150
178	Overland Park, KS	29.12	182	142
179	Pearl City, HI	29.11	176	171
180	Fremont, CA	29.02	168	180
181	Plano, TX	28.49	180	160
182	Columbia, MD	27.91	169	182

*No. 1 = Neediest

Ask the Experts

We asked a panel of experts to share their insight and advice regarding the changes and challenges experienced by needy groups and those who desire to help. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and responses to the following key questions:

How are the neediest cities being helped or hurt by the Trump administration agenda?
How has the social makeup of people in need — in terms of age, race, gender, etc. — changed in recent decades?
What are the main challenges facing low-income families today?
Which policy interventions have proven successful in helping families achieve economic independence? Which ones have failed?
How can charities and nonprofits most effectively serve the poor?
How do the economic-mobility prospects of low-income Americans compare with their counterparts in other rich democracies?

Ask the Experts

: Terry Nichols Clark
Professor of Sociology, University of Chicago
Read More

: Zachary A. Morris
Ph.D., MSW, MPhil – Assistant Professor, School of Social Welfare, Stony Brook University
Read More

: Mathieu Despard
Ph.D., MSW, Associate Professor, Department of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Faculty Director & Visiting Scholar, Social Policy Institute, Washington University in St. Louis
Read More

: David Skidmore
Professor of Political Science, Drake University
Read More

: Samuel Zalanga
Adjunct Professor of Social Work, Bethel University
Read More

: Gerry Sussman
Professor, Toulan School of Urban Studies and Planning, Portland State University
Read More

Methodology

In order to determine the cities with the neediest populations, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Economic Well-Being” and “Health & Safety.”

We evaluated those dimensions using 28 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest level of economic disadvantage. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available at the state level only.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case and excluded cities in the surrounding metro area.

Economic Well-Being - Total Points: 60

Child Poverty Rate: Triple Weight (~7.83 Points)
Adult Poverty Rate: Triple Weight (~7.83 Points)
Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Homelessness Rate: Triple Weight (~7.83 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of homeless persons per 1,000 residents.
Presence of Homeless Criminalization Laws: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Note: This is a binary metric that considers the presence or absence of such legislation.
Change in Family Homelessness (2018 vs 2017): Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Note: This metric refers to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index.
Consumer Bankruptcy Rate: Half Weight (~1.30 Points)
Note: This metric measures the number of nonbusiness bankruptcy filings per capita.
Foreclosure Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Share of Owner Occupied Housing Units Spending at Least 35% of Their Household Income on Housing: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Share of Delinquent Debtors: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
High School Dropout Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Undereducated Rate: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
Note: This measures the share of population aged 25 years and over who did not graduate from high school.
Share of Children Eligible for Free or Reduced Price Lunch: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)
“Economic Security” Ranking: Half* Weight (~1.30 Points)
Note: This metric measures the state’s policy potential to improve the economic security of workers, families and retirees and is based on the Economic Security Scorecard produced by the WOW (Wider Opportunities for Women) nonprofit organization.
Economic Mobility: Full Weight (~2.61 Points)

Health & Safety - Total Points: 40

Uninsured Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of residents without health insurance coverage.
Food Insecurity Rate: Double Weight (~7.27 Points)
Share of Homes with Inadequate Plumbing: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of occupied housing units without complete plumbing facilities.
Share of Homes with Inadequate Kitchens: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of occupied housing units without complete kitchen facilities.
Share of Severely Overcrowded Homes: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of occupied housing units that are considered “severely overcrowded”, meaning more than 1.5 persons occupy each room.
Share of Offline Homes: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of households lacking a computer and broadband Internet service.
Share of Adults Who Needed to See a Doctor but Couldn’t: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric refers to the share of adults who needed to see a doctor in the past year, but couldn’t because of costs.
Share of Depressed Adults: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of adults who were diagnosed with depression.
Suicide Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
Crime Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)

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Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Chmura Economics & Analytics, County Health Rankings, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Equality of Opportunity Project, Feeding America, Wider Opportunities for Women, ATTOM Data Solutions (RealtyTrac), Gallup-Healthways and TransUnion.

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