khushboo 
More than 60 years have passed since President Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty, and yet, poverty remains endemic in the United States. In any given year over the last three decades, anywhere from 31.6 million to 48.8 million Americans were living below the poverty line. Over that period, the annual U.S. poverty rate climbed as high as 15.9%, and never fell below 11.3%.
In most of the country, including Michigan, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services sets the poverty line at an annual income of $15,060 for individuals and $31,200 for a family of four. In Michigan, 13.1% of the population lives below these thresholds — and in many towns across the state, the poverty rate is far higher.
Here is a list of some of the poorest small towns in Michigan (2025)
10. Beecher
- Poverty rate: 32.5%
- Median household income: $35,618
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 22.4%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 4.5%
- Population: 9,085
9. Dowagiac
- Poverty rate: 32.8%
- Median household income: $41,864
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.1%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 15.1%
- Population: 5,680
8. Melvindale
- Poverty rate: 33.2%
- Median household income: $38,918
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 13.0%
- Population: 12,639
7. Saginaw
- Poverty rate: 34.5%
- Median household income: $35,521
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.8%
- Population: 44,316
6. Inkster
- Poverty rate: 35.1%
- Median household income: $38,381
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 12.1%
- Population: 25,839
5. Muskegon Heights
- Poverty rate: 36.5%
- Median household income: $35,216
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 20.5%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.9%
- Population: 9,954
4. Highland Park
- Poverty rate: 37.6%
- Median household income: $30,341
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 18.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 16.2%
- Population: 9,032
3. Hamtramck
- Poverty rate: 37.7%
- Median household income: $39,648
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 11.7%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.1%
- Population: 27,842
2. River Rouge
- Poverty rate: 43.8%
- Median household income: $26,343
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 12.9%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.1%
- Population: 7,200
1. Benton Harbor
- Poverty rate: 44.
- Median household income: $26,592
- 5-yr. avg. unemployment rate: 20.2%
- Adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher: 8.4%
- Population: 9,101
