Poorest Cities in Pennsylvania – FAQs

Talking about 2025, the poverty rate in the state of Pennsylvania is around 12.1% of residents who are living below the federal poverty line.

As per the recent surveys, you can see  some of the towns and cities with the highest poverty rates:

• Shamokin – 35.9%
• Darby – 33.8%
• Johnstown – 32.9%
• McKees Rocks – 32.6%

Philadelphia, this place is historically the poorest and largest city located in America, has now shown improvement. Its poverty rate dropped to -19.7%, making a steady progress compared to earlier years. 

These common metrics include:

• % of residents who are below the federal poverty line
• Median household income
• Also Unemployment rate
• Education levels and their access to new and needful opportunities

• They Decline manufacturing and local industries
• Limited job opportunities
• They do Lack of investment in infrastructure
• Higher housing as well as healthcare costs relative to incomes

Key strategies for this include:

• They can expand affordable housing along with healthcare
• Also by Improving and providing them access to quality education and skill training
• Supporting all small businesses and local industries