Roxbury stands as Kansas’s poorest town, with a staggering 100% poverty rate that highlights deep economic struggles in rural America. This tiny community of under 200 residents grapples with vanishing jobs, aging infrastructure, and limited services amid statewide poverty at 11.6%. Understanding Roxbury’s plight reveals broader challenges for small Kansas towns fighting decline.
Poverty Metrics Overview
Roxbury tops Kansas cities for poverty at 100%, far exceeding the state average and even larger peers like Chetopa (26.1%). Median household income lags severely, with many residents below federal thresholds; nearby Galesburg hits 30.1%, Greenleaf 29.7%. U.S. Census-derived data from 2026 underscores Roxbury’s extreme ranking among 100+ tracked locales.
Historical and Economic Context
Once a thriving German Mennonite settlement founded in the 1870s, Roxbury peaked mid-20th century with farming and small manufacturing. Farm consolidations, mechanization, and 1980s closures gutted jobs; today, agriculture dominates but yields low wages amid droughts and trade shifts. Population dwindled from 300 to dozens, straining schools and stores.
Demographics and Daily Life
Over 90% white residents face median ages above 45, with limited youth retention. Unemployment hovers near 20%, double state norms; families rely on SNAP, Medicaid, and church aid. No grocery store exists—residents drive 15 miles to McPherson; a single gas station and post office anchor Main Street. Housing values dip under $50,000, many homes vacant.
Contributing Factors
Kansas’s rural poverty stems from ag volatility, factory offshoring, and urban migration; Chautauqua County ranks poorest statewide at low home values. Roxbury lacks broadband for remote work, healthcare (nearest hospital 20 miles), and youth programs fueling brain drain. Climate events like 2025 floods worsen recovery without federal aid matching bigger cities.
Community Efforts and Hope
Local Mennonite churches run food pantries and youth camps; 2026 microgrant pilots fund solar farms and artisan shops. State initiatives like Kansas Rural Opportunity Zone offer tax breaks, drawing small tech firms. Residents preserve heritage via annual sauerkraut festivals, fostering resilience.
Comparisons to Other Kansas Towns
Chetopa, another contender, reports 26.1% poverty and $23,750 median income—dire but beatable with tourism. Larger Emporia (20.5%) benefits from a college; Dodge City (16.3%) leverages meatpacking. Roxbury’s isolation cements its top spot.
SOURCES:
- https://zipatlas.com/us/ks/city-comparison/highest-poverty.htm
- https://247wallst.com/income/2025/06/17/the-poorest-town-in-every-state-in-america/
