7 Poorest Cities in California

2. Merced

Total population: 81,102

Number of people living below poverty line: 24,691

Percent of total population living below poverty line: 30.7

Merced is the only city on the list which saw a significant decline in the number of poor residents. American Community Survey estimates for 2013 showed that there were 35.1 people living below poverty line, while one year later the percentage dropped down to 30.7. At the same time, median household income grew by $4,000. In spite of the improvements, the number of homeless people is on the rise, while the number of young people leaving the city remains high. Still, like many other Californian cities, Merced records population increase year after year mainly because of low housing prices.

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