Glendora stands as Mississippi’s poorest town in 2026, grappling with profound economic hardship amid the state’s broader poverty challenges.
This tiny Tallahatchie County village, with under 200 residents, reports a median household income of just $10,875, far below the state average of around $52,985. Its struggles highlight rural decline, limited jobs, and historical inequities affecting Black-majority communities.
Economic Snapshot
Recent data pin Glendora’s poverty rate above 50%, with over half its population below the federal line—worse than larger cities like Yazoo City (39.9%) or Natchez (32.6%). Unemployment hovers near 20%, driven by agriculture’s collapse; cotton fields once sustained families, but mechanization and floods eroded that base.
The 2020 Census adjusted counts show median income stagnant since 2019 ACS figures, exacerbated by no local industry or retail.
Historical Context
Founded in the Delta heartland, Glendora’s 1960s civil rights notoriety—from Emmett Till’s murder nearby—compounds generational trauma and disinvestment. Population dwindled from 300 in 2000 to 150 by 2025, as youth migrate to Clarksdale or Memphis for work. Federal programs like SNAP aid 70% of households, yet infrastructure lags: potholed roads, no grocery store, and spotty internet stifle revival.
Daily Life Impacts
Residents rely on church pantries and food banks; the nearest Walmart sits 30 miles away in Charleston. Health outcomes suffer—diabetes and hypertension rates double state averages due to poor access; Holmes County Hospital closed in 2024.
Schools consolidate with Tallahatchie High, busing kids 45 minutes amid teacher shortages. Crime stays low, but isolation breeds despair; one 2025 report called it “America’s poorest” by per capita metrics.
Comparison to Others
Unlike Indianola (once dubbed poorest, $36K median) or Alligator (extreme poverty pockets), Glendora’s scale amplifies woes—fewer grants reach tiny towns. Statewide, Holmes and Issaquena counties top poverty maps at 40%+, but Glendora’s village status excludes urban aid. RoadSnacks’ 2024 list favored cities like Clarksdale (40.7% poverty), yet 2025-26 updates spotlight Glendora via Census tweaks.
Revival Efforts
Nonprofits like the Delta Health Alliance bring telehealth vans; a 2025 USDA grant funded solar streetlights. Drax biomass plant nearby promises jobs, but pollution fears linger in Gloster-like towns. Community gardens and vocational training via Coahoma CC aim to retain youth, though progress crawls.
Broader Mississippi Poverty
Mississippi ranks poorest U.S. state (19.6% poverty), with Delta towns dominating lists: Greenville (32.2%), Meridian (32.4%). Federal aid via ARPA helped temporarily, but 2026 inflation erodes gains; WalletHub ranks Gulfport needy for basics access.
SOURCES:
- https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=637508189336572&set=a.100946409659422&id=100092321881348
- https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-mississippi/
