Top 15 poorest cities in Texas in 2025

Last updated on September 17th, 2025 at 10:59 am

The beautiful state of Texas is recognised for its booming economy, major industries and fast-paced cities. But beneath this prosperity, a number of communities in Texas are struggling because of limited job opportunities and deficit access to essential resources raising important concerns related to human rights.

Let us explore some of the poorest cities in Texas in 2025. This list has been prepared taking US census data and independent examinations into consideration. For a broader idea, check out these releases on poorest cities in US, poorest cities in California, ,and lowest paying jobs in Texas 2025

Top 15 poorest cities in Texas in 2025

Rank	City in Texas	Poverty Rate (%)
1	Donna	43.18
2	La Homa	35.66
3	Roma	34.91
4	Aldine	33.63
5	San Elizario	33.27
6	Raymondville	32.77
7	Pharr	32.55
8	San Benito	32.01
9	Kingsville	31.34
10	Alton	30.61
11	Prairie View	44.7 (high teen population)
12	Marlin	47.1
13	Carrizo Springs	38.4
14	Center	38.8
15	Commerce	36.6

1. Donna

Located in Hidalgo County, Donna ranks first on this list of the poorest cities in Texas in 2025. This border area is facing a number of problems, including but not limited to limited access to high-paying jobs. Much of the economy relies on agriculture.

2. La Homa

Let’s explore La Homa, a census-designated place in Texas. It is one of the poorest cities in Texas. La Homa’s population is largely Hispanic and multiple households rely on seasonal agriculture. There is a lot of pressure on already limited economic resources.

3. Roma

Situated along the Rio Grande, Roma ranks third on the list. This place has a rich culture and is historically significant, too, but Roma’s economy has long been constrained by its border location. Many residents depend on jobs in agriculture and retail.

4. Aldine

Aldine is located near Houston, Texas. Despite being close to one of the state’s largest economic hubs, residents in Aldine face a number of hurdles in their daily life. There is a potent shortage of skilled employment opportunities.

5. San Elizario

San Elizario is a small city in El Paso County. It is one of the poorest cities in Texas, mainly because of limited economic diversification. San Elizario has a strong history and sense of community. But many people there are susceptible to financial hardships.

6. Raymondville

Raymondville ranks sixth on the list of poorest cities in Texas. It is also part of one of the poorest regions in the US, the Rio Grande Valley. The local economy is significantly reliant on agriculture and correctional facilities.

7. Pharr

Pharr is yet another city in Hidalgo County struggling to address economic inequality. It ranks 7th on this list of the poorest cities in Texas. Pharr faces a lot of hurdles in 2025, including underemployment, high uninsured rates and gaps in educational progress.

8. San Benito

San Benito ranks high on this list. This place once used to be famous for its agricultural produce. But in 2025, San Benito is seeing its economy largely stagnate. There are limited job opportunities and high healthcare costs – causing a lot of problems for many families.

9. Kingsville

Kingsville is home to the famous Texas A&M Uni – Kingsville. The institution offers a lot of jobs and other opportunities. But the rest of the city struggle because of less incomes and limited industry diversity. There is a sizeable amount of financial instability here.

10. Alton

Alton – another city in Hidalgo County again – has seen a rapid rise in population. But the same cannot be said about economic opportunities there. Many families are residing in colinias – informal settlements facing limited infrastructure.

11. Prairie View

Prairie View has one of the highest poverty rates in Texas, estimated at nearly 45%. Because many residents here are students, income appears to be quite less. But the locals are also facing a lack of long-term opportunities.

12. Marlin

Marlin is located in Central Texas. This place is easily counted among the poorest cities in Texas, mainly because of limited healthcare, education opportunities and employment options. Marlin’s economy has been declining rapidly.

13. Carrizo Springs

Located in Dimmit County, Carrizo Springs is one of the poorest cities in the state. Despite being an oil-rich region, agriculture and seasonal labour continue to dominate employment. But salaries remain quite less, leading to a number of problems for local communities.

14. Center

Center is the county seat of Shelby County. This city in Texas is significantly reliant on agriculture and poultry processing plants. Multiple households earn far less compared to the state median income, leading to high economic stress among local communities.

15. Commerce

Home to Texas A&M Uni-Commerce, this is one of the poorest cities in Texas. Like some other places in the state, the presence of a large student population in Commerce significantly affects income levels. But this place also faces limited job diversity.

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15 poorest cities in Texas: Frequently asked questions

1. Which is the poorest city in Texas?

Donna in Hidalgo County ranks first on this list of poorest cities in Texas in 2025. The more concerning thing is this County is also home to multiple other cities that rank quite high on this list. More needs to be done by the authorities.

2. Is Texas a great place to reside in?

Texas is indeed a great place to reside in. Contrary to this list of the poorest cities in Texas, this border state is also home to a number of cities that are doing quite great in terms of job opportunities and others.

3. What is the situation in Pharr?

Pharr is another city in Hidalgo County. It ranks 7th on this list of the poorest cities in Texas. The situation in Pharr is something critically related to economic inequality. This city is facing a lot of underemployment and high uninsured rates.