America's Poorest States

By Michael B. Sauter, Samuel Weigley, Brian Zajac and Alexander E. M. Hess
247Wallst.com

According to 2011 data released September 19 by the U.S. Census Bureau, 15% of individuals in the United States live below the poverty line. While down from 15.1% last year, it remains statistically unchanged and near a record high. Today, more than 46 million people live in poverty in America, more than at any point in the country’s history.

However, compared to the poorest countries in the world, the poverty rate in the U.S. is relatively modest. In some countries, the poverty rate is more than five times the U.S. current figures. In Haiti, the highest in the world, 77% of residents live in poverty.

10.
Oklahoma
Median household income: $43,225
Population: 3,791,508 (23rd lowest)
Unemployment rate: 6.2% (8th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 17.2% (16th highest)

9.
South Carolina
Median household income: $42,367
Population: 4,679,230 (24th highest)
Unemployment rate: 10.3% (8th highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 18.9% (9th highest)

8.
New Mexico
Median household income: $41,963
Population: 2,082,224 (15th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 7.4% (18th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 21.5% (2nd highest)

7.
Louisiana
Median household income: $41,734
Population: 4,574,836 (25th highest)
Unemployment rate: 7.3% (16th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 20.4% (3rd highest)

6.
Tennessee
Median household income: $41,693
Population: 6,403,353 (17th highest)
Unemployment rate: 9.2% (16th highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 18.3% (12th highest)

5.
Alabama
Median household income: $41,415
Population: 4,802,740 (23rd highest)
Unemployment rate: 9% (18th highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 19% (7th highest)

4.
Kentucky
Median household income: $41,141
Population: 4,369,356 (25th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 9.5% (13th highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 19.1% (5th highest)

3.
Arkansas
Median household income: $38,758
Population: 2,937,979 (19th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 8% (tied-25th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 19.5% (4th highest)

2.
West Virginia
Median household income: $38,482
Population: 1,855,364 (14th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 8% (tied-25th lowest)
Pct. below poverty line: 18.6% (10th highest)

1.
Mississippi
Median household income: $36,919
Population: 2,978,512 (20th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 10.7% (4th highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 22.6% (the highest)

Full Story:
http://247wallst.com/2012/09/20/americas-poorest-states-2/2/