Struggling States
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Along with stubbornly high unemployment, many states have had to deal with stagnant earnings and rising poverty rates. According to a recent study by the Census Bureau, real median household income in the United States sank 2.3 percent from 2009 levels, to $49,445 nationally in 2010. The number of Americans living in poverty in 2010 increased to 46.2 million people as well, up from 43.6 million in 2009. Unemployment continues to be a nagging problem, with 19 states dealing with rates higher than the 9.1 percent national average. Here’s a look at America’s 10 poorest states by median income.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics
