7 Poorest Cities in California

6. Lancaster City

Total population: 159,523

Number of people living below poverty line: 43,569

Percent of population below poverty line: 28.3

In the last five years, the poverty rate has significantly increased in Lancaster. While in 2010 the poor accounted for 18.9 percent of total population, latest estimates show that 28.3 percent of residents live below poverty line. Like in other listed places, the most vulnerable group are African Americans whose median household income is $24,139, almost half of median household earnings in the city. Although low housing prices might seem attractive (average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $940), scarcity of job opportunities and crime rate of 194.2 per 10,000 residents are driving people away from the city.

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