10 Poorest States in America

8. Mississippi

Poverty Rate: 18.1%

Population aged between 18 and 24 with college or associate degree: 43.3%

Population aged 25 and above with bachelor’s degree: 15.4%

Score: 1.58

Mississippi is the poorest state in America in terms of poverty rates, with 18.1% of its population living below the line of poverty. Its capital, Jackson, is one of the poorest cities in the country where more than three in every ten residents live in poverty. Only 15.4% of the population aged 25 or above hold a bachelor’s degree. However, an encouraging trends has been observed when it comes to youth aged between 18 and 24. About 43.3% of them have a college or associate degree in 2021, which bodes well for the future if they decide to opt for further higher education.