Financial hardships are a reality many people in the U.S. face, whether it’s dealing with homelessness, food insecurity, or poverty.
While some cities have been affected more by recent events like the pandemic, others have been grappling with these issues for a much longer period.
A recent study by WalletHub identified some of the cities in the U.S. that are facing the most poverty-driven challenges, and Louisiana has a few cities that made the list, including one that landed in the top 10.
Louisiana’s Poorest Cities in 2021
WalletHub’s study compared over 180 cities across the U.S. to determine which ones were struggling the most with financial difficulties. Among the cities that stood out from Louisiana, New Orleans was ranked the poorest. Here are the Louisiana cities that made it onto the list of the “neediest” cities in 2021:
New Orleans – ranked 9th overall
Shreveport – ranked 25th overall
Baton Rouge – ranked 29th overall
New Orleans, in particular, stood out due to its high food insecurity rate, which earned it the second-highest rank for this issue on the list. Shreveport, although ranking lower in health and safety factors, also faced significant poverty-driven struggles.
The Top Cities on the List
The WalletHub study highlighted the top five cities facing the most severe financial and poverty-related hardships. These cities were:
Detroit, Michigan
Brownsville, Texas
Cleveland, Ohio
Memphis, Tennessee
Laredo, Texas
These cities ranked highest due to a combination of factors like high poverty rates, unemployment, food insecurity, homelessness, and poor health and safety metrics.
Methodology Behind the Study
To compile the rankings, WalletHub compared 182 cities across the country using two key factors: economic well-being and health and safety. These factors were then evaluated using 28 different metrics, such as:
Poverty rates (for both children and adults)
Unemployment rates
Homelessness rates
Foreclosure rates
Food insecurity levels
High school dropout rates
Suicide rates
Crime rates
And other factors related to health and safety
By combining all these factors, WalletHub was able to identify which cities were struggling the most with poverty-related challenges.
Louisiana cities like New Orleans, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge are facing tough financial realities. While New Orleans made it to the top 10, the study highlights a broader issue of poverty in these cities.
The WalletHub study shines a light on the need for increased support and resources to combat poverty and improve economic conditions in these areas.
