This Town Has Been Named The Poorest In Illinois

The Poorest Town in Illinois: Carbondale

Carbondale, located in southern Illinois, is widely recognized as the poorest city in the state. Multiple recent reports and census data confirm that Carbondale has the highest poverty rate among Illinois cities, making its economic challenges especially acute.

Poverty by the Numbers

• Poverty Rate: Carbondale’s poverty rate stands at a staggering 43.1% according to the most recent U.S. Census data, far surpassing both the Illinois state average (11.9%) and the national average (12.6%).
• Median Household Income: The median household income in Carbondale is just $22,152, which is dramatically lower than the state and national medians.
• Children in Poverty: The poverty rate among children is particularly alarming-44.6% of residents under 18 live below the poverty line, and for children under five, the rate exceeds 53%.
• Population in Poverty: Out of approximately 19,000 residents, over 7,000 live in poverty.

Why Is Carbondale So Poor?

1. Economic Structure and Employment

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Carbondale is a college town, home to Southern Illinois University (SIU). While universities often boost local economies, Carbondale’s situation is complicated:

• Many residents are students with little or no income, which skews poverty statistics upward.
• The local job market is limited, with many positions being low-wage or part-time. The average annual salary in Carbondale is $44,674, but a significant portion of jobs pay much less, with the 25th percentile earning just $33,569 per year.
• Unemployment is a persistent issue. Among those unemployed, the poverty rate is an astonishing 66.9%.

2. Housing and Homeownership

• Homeownership is low in Carbondale, with just 28.9% of residents owning homes compared to the national average of 65.4%.
• Many renters face precarious housing situations, including neglect by landlords and a lack of city enforcement on housing standards.

3. Education and Opportunity

• Only 28.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the national average of 35%.
• Even among those with some college or an associate’s degree, the poverty rate remains high at 25.4%.

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4. Systemic and Social Barriers

• Racial discrimination in hiring and housing, as well as a lack of social mobility, further entrench poverty in the community.
• Many residents rely on government assistance programs like SNAP and Section Eight to meet basic needs.

5. Institutional Challenges

• SIU, the city’s largest employer, has faced its own financial struggles, including multi-million dollar deficits and budget cuts, limiting its ability to support the broader community.

The Human Impact

Carbondale’s poverty crisis is visible in daily life. High rates of homelessness, food insecurity, and underemployment affect thousands. Community leaders note that even those with jobs often struggle to make ends meet due to low wages and high living costs.

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“There’s problems and poverty because a lot of students here, they’re barely making it. They’re trying to overcome all of the struggles that they have in order to study, and still eat and do the things that they need to do.”

• Ginger Rye Sanders, Carbondale City Council Member

Comparison to Other Poor Towns in Illinois

While other towns such as East St. Louis and Harvey also experience high poverty rates (33.4% and 32.8%, respectively), Carbondale’s rate is significantly higher, cementing its status as the poorest city in Illinois. Even in the broader Carbondale-Marion metropolitan area, poverty rates remain elevated at 17.1%.

Carbondale’s distinction as the poorest town in Illinois is rooted in a complex mix of economic, educational, and systemic challenges. With nearly half its children and over a third of its population living below the poverty line, Carbondale exemplifies the urgent need for targeted economic development, improved social services, and community investment to break the cycle of poverty

Sources:

1. https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/07/towns-in-illinois-with-the-worst-poverty/
2. https://dailyegyptian.com/111757/news/carbondales-poverty-crisis/
3. https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/-in-Carbondale,IL
4. https://www.reddit.com/r/Carbondale/comments/1bwl6rp/why_on_earth_is_carbondale_so_poor/
5. https://www.stlpr.org/education/2024-09-19/southern-illinois-university-carbondale-financial-shortfall