New Square, a village in New York State, has been identified as the poorest town in the state for 2024, according to recent data analysis. This small community of 9,578 residents faces significant economic challenges that set it apart in terms of poverty and income levels.
New Square: The Poorest Place in New York
New Square ranks at the very bottom in terms of median household income and poverty rate among New York towns. The median income here is just $27,488, the lowest in the state, while the poverty rate is alarmingly high at 64.2%, meaning nearly two-thirds of its population live below the poverty line. This combination of low income and high poverty underscores the severe economic hardships faced by the residents.
Factors Contributing to Poverty in New Square
The high poverty rate in New Square is attributed to a lack of job opportunities and low wages. Despite the economic struggles, the cost of living in New Square is relatively low compared to other parts of New York, which somewhat offsets the financial strain on residents. However, the affordability does not fully compensate for the limited income and widespread poverty.
Other Notably Poor Cities in New York
While New Square holds the top spot for poverty, other towns also face significant economic difficulties. Kaser ranks second with a median income of $30,320 and a poverty rate of 60.4%, followed by Geneseo and Kiryas Joel, which also have high poverty rates and low median incomes. Kiryas Joel, in particular, is notable for having one of the lowest per capita incomes in the country for towns with populations over 10,000, with an average annual income just over $4,000.
Broader Context of Poverty in New York
Poverty is a widespread issue across New York State, affecting both small towns and large cities. For example, Buffalo, the second-largest city in the state, has about 30.4% of its residents living below the poverty line, with an average income around $15,000 annually. In New York City, poverty rates have also increased significantly, with nearly 23% of residents living in poverty as of recent reports.
Conclusion
New Square’s position as the poorest town in New York highlights the ongoing economic challenges faced by certain communities in the state. The high poverty rates and low median incomes in New Square and similar towns call for targeted economic development and social support initiatives to improve living conditions and opportunities for residents.
This article is based on recent data from multiple sources including 24/7 Wall St., OnlyInYourState.com, and RoadSnacks, ensuring an accurate and comprehensive overview of poverty in New York State.
Sources:-
[1] https://247wallst.com/income/2024/05/09/towns-in-new-york-with-the-worst-poverty/
[2] https://wblk.com/poorest-cities-new-york-state-23/
[3] https://hdpulse.nimhd.nih.gov/data-portal/_social/poverty/table?statefips=36&demo=00009
[4] https://1045theteam.com/ixp/11/p/poorest-cities-new-york-state-23/
[5] https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-new-york/
[6] https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/poorest-cities-in-america
[7] https://robinhood.org/news/annual-poverty-tracker-report-by-robin-hood-and-columbia-finds-nyc-poverty-increased-from-18-percent-to-23-percent-in-2022-a-jump-from-1-5-to-2-million-new-yorkers-living-in-poverty/
[8] https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/21/nyregion/kiryas-joel-a-village-with-the-numbers-not-the-image-of-the-poorest-place.html