When you hear about poverty in America, it’s often talked about in big cities or rural areas. But a recent report by 24/7 Wall St. has named Johnstown, Pennsylvania as the poorest town in the state, shedding light on the economic challenges faced by many smaller communities.
What Makes Johnstown the Poorest Town in Pennsylvania?
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2018 American Community Survey, Johnstown has a median household income of just $24,294. That’s less than half the national median, which was about $61,937 around the same time.
In addition to low income levels, 38.7% of Johnstown’s population lives below the poverty line. That’s nearly four out of every ten residents struggling to afford basic living expenses.
Population and Home Values
Johnstown has a population of 19,812, making it a small city by population but large enough to stand out in statewide analyses. The town’s median home value is just $39,700, a figure that reflects the region’s struggling housing market and low economic activity.
Education and Economic Hardship
One major factor contributing to Johnstown’s economic challenges is the low education level among its residents. In most of the poorest towns in America, less than 20% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree.
In contrast, the national average is about 31.5%. This education gap often limits access to higher-paying jobs and long-term financial growth.
Education and income are closely linked. Towns like Johnstown with fewer college graduates tend to have fewer high-paying job opportunities, which can trap generations in cycles of poverty.
Why This Matters
The 24/7 Wall St. analysis focused on towns with populations between 1,000 and 25,000—places that are often overlooked in larger economic reports. These towns might not grab headlines, but they represent real communities with real people facing economic difficulties every day.
Johnstown is a clear example of how former industrial towns across Pennsylvania and the U.S. have struggled to bounce back after factories closed and industries declined. Once a booming steel town, Johnstown has faced decades of economic decline, job losses, and population shrinkage.
Can Johnstown Bounce Back?
Despite its struggles, Johnstown has efforts underway to revitalize the economy. Local officials and community leaders have focused on downtown redevelopment, workforce training, and attracting new businesses. But recovery takes time, and breaking the cycle of poverty involves long-term planning, investment in education, and improving job opportunities.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania’s ranking as the state’s poorest town highlights a broader issue of economic inequality in small-town America. With low income, high poverty, and low home values, Johnstown faces many challenges. But with community support, educational development, and targeted economic strategies, there’s hope for positive change.
Understanding these challenges is a first step toward creating better opportunities—not just for Johnstown, but for similar communities across the country that continue to be left behind in the nation’s economic progress.
