Helena-West Helena has been named the poorest town in Arkansas. Recent data confirms its top ranking due to the lowest median household income and one of the highest poverty rates in the state.
Economic Indicators
Helena-West Helena’s median household income stands at $32,466, the lowest among Arkansas cities analyzed. Its poverty rate is 32.41%, affecting over 3,000 residents in a population of about 8,462.
This places it ahead of Forrest City, which has a slightly higher poverty rate of 36.12% but better median income of $33,522.
Historical Context
Once a thriving hub for cotton trade and Delta blues music along the Mississippi River, Helena-West Helena merged in 2006 to form Phillips County’s seat.
Economic decline hit hard after mechanized agriculture reduced farm jobs, leading to factory closures and outmigration. By 2024 analyses, it held the number one spot for poorest city, a rank unchanged from prior years.
Demographics and Challenges
The town is predominantly Black (73.45%), with a median age of 39.4 years and a gender imbalance favoring females.
Unemployment remains elevated, exacerbating poverty in Phillips County, one of Arkansas’s poorest with rates near 30%. Low cost of living offers some relief, but limited job opportunities in retail, services, and seasonal work dominate.
Social Impacts
High poverty correlates with strained education and health outcomes; child poverty exceeds state averages in the Delta region. Crime rates are notable, though cultural assets like the Delta Cultural Center preserve history. Population has dropped 11% since 2020, signaling ongoing depopulation.
Recent Developments
As of 2026 projections, poverty persists at 32.41%, with per capita income at $39,265 still lagging. State reports highlight rural Delta areas like this as persistent poverty pockets, despite broader Arkansas improvements.
Efforts focus on tourism, agribusiness revival, and workforce training, but measurable gains are slow.
Comparison Table
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty Rate | Rank (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena-West Helena | 8,462 | $32,466 | 32.41% | 1 roadsnacks+1 |
| Forrest City | 13,010 | $33,522 | 36.12% | 2 roadsnacks+1 |
| Monticello | 8,443 | $34,176 | 26.3% | 3 [roadsnacks] |
| Newport | 7,984 | $32,440 | 25.0% | 4 [roadsnacks] |
This ranking draws from U.S. Census-based metrics like the American Community Survey, emphasizing combined poverty and income factors over single stats. While small hamlets like Wooster show extreme per capita lows nationally, Helena-West Helena leads among larger towns.
SOURCES:
- https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-arkansas/
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/arkansas/helena-west-helena
