Lac du Flambeau: Wisconsin’s Poorest Town
According to a 2023 analysis by 24/7 Wall St., Lac du Flambeau is identified as the poorest town in Wisconsin. With a population of about 1,800, the town’s median household income is just $26,076—less than half the state average of $67,080. The median home value stands at $77,500, far below the state average of $200,400. Additionally, 18.1% of households in Lac du Flambeau receive SNAP benefits, highlighting the extent of economic hardship in the community.
Why Lac du Flambeau?
The designation of Lac du Flambeau as the poorest town is based on U.S. Census Bureau data, specifically focusing on towns with populations between 1,000 and 25,000. The primary metric used is median household income. This small northern Wisconsin community stands out for its persistently low incomes and high reliance on public assistance.
Broader Context: Poverty Across Wisconsin
- Statewide Poverty Rate: In 2017, 11.3% of Wisconsin residents lived in poverty, which, though improved from the 2013 peak, remains above pre-recession levels.
- Children and Poverty: Children are disproportionately affected, with about 1 in 7 living in poverty—higher than the overall population rate.
- Racial Disparities: Households of color, particularly African American and American Indian families, are far more likely to experience poverty, with incomes significantly lower than those of white households1.
Comparing Towns and Cities
While Lac du Flambeau has the lowest median household income among small towns, some larger cities in Wisconsin also face high poverty rates:
| City/Town | Poverty Rate (%) | Median Household Income |
|---|---|---|
| Lac du Flambeau | Not specified | $26,076 |
| Whitewater | 37.3 | $36,176 |
| Milwaukee | 25.4 | $41,838 |
| Beloit | 23.1 | $43,651 |
Whitewater, for example, has the highest poverty rate among Wisconsin cities at 37.3%, but its median income is higher than Lac du Flambeau’s. Milwaukee, the state’s largest city, also struggles with a high poverty rate and a median income less than the state average.
The Story Behind the Numbers
Lac du Flambeau is home to the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and like many Native American communities, it faces systemic barriers to economic opportunity. These include limited access to jobs, underfunded schools, and historical disadvantages. The high rate of SNAP usage and low property values reflect both persistent poverty and the challenges of economic development in rural, reservation-based communities.
Lac du Flambeau’s story is emblematic of broader trends in Wisconsin: persistent poverty in rural and Native communities, stark racial disparities, and a statewide struggle to return to pre-recession prosperity. While cities like Milwaukee and Whitewater have high poverty rates, Lac du Flambeau stands out for its low household incomes and high reliance on public assistance, making it the poorest town in Wisconsin by median income.
Sources
- https://kidsforward.org/five-charts-that-tell-the-story-of-poverty-in-wisconsin/
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-14-wisconsin-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-state/
- https://wisconsinwatch.org/2022/09/how-do-i-ever-get-caught-up-if-im-always-catching-up-povertys-unrelenting-grip-on-milwaukee/
- https://www.indexmundi.com/facts/united-states/quick-facts/wisconsin/percent-of-people-of-all-ages-in-poverty/cities
- https://stacker.com/stories/wisconsin/cities-wisconsin-most-living-poverty
