This Town Has Been Named The Poorest In Arkansas

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Located in Phillips County, Arkansas, Helena-West Helena has been named the state’s worst city and is confronted with severe economic difficulties.

As of 2024, Helena-West Helena has the lowest median household income in Arkansas, at about $31,118, and a poverty rate of over 33.9%.

With a population of about 9,470, this city was created in 2006 by combining Helena and West Helena. It is located in the Mississippi Delta, an area that is experiencing economic hardship.

Economic Background

Because of its advantageous location along the Mississippi River and its rich agricultural area, Helena was once a bustling trade center.

When cotton production was thriving in the late 19th century, the city thrived. But throughout the years, a number of issues, including as the mechanization of agriculture, the loss of manufacturing jobs, and the drop in river traffic, contributed to the economic downturn.

Though it has had difficulty adjusting to contemporary economic realities, the local economy is still largely dependent on agriculture, especially cotton growing.

Current Economic Indicators

The following significant figures illustrate Helena-West Helena’s economic difficulties:

• 
  Median Household Income
  
  : $31,118
• 
  Poverty Rate
  
  : 33.9%
• 
  Percentage of Population in Poverty
  
  : Approximately 3,213 residents live below the poverty line
  
  .
  

In addition, the city has a dearth of job openings and high unemployment rates. Many locals depend on government assistance programs or work in low-paying jobs.

With almost 71.7% of children under the age of 18 living below the poverty line, the high poverty rate among youngsters is especially worrisome.

Social Challenges

The economic situation of Helena-West Helena has a significant impact on its social fabric. Socioeconomic inequalities and racial strife have characterized the city’s past.

Black or African American people make up about 61.9% of the population, compared to 33.8% of white people.Disparities in access to opportunities and resources are frequently linked to this demographic difference.

Concerningly, around 40% of the population does not have a high school diploma. For many people, this educational disparity restricts their work options and feeds into persistent cycles of poverty.

Community Initiatives

Local authorities have launched a number of community development initiatives with the goal of reviving the economy in response to these difficulties.

The Delta Bridge Project is one noteworthy endeavor that aims to enhance Phillips County’s economic circumstances by bringing together diverse development projects under a unified framework.

Improving access to healthcare, education, housing, and employment are the main goals of this project.

Conclusion

The difficulties that many small towns in the Mississippi Delta region endure are best shown by Helena-West Helena.

It has a long history and the ability to grow agriculturally, but it is still deeply impoverished and has few opportunities for economic expansion.

It will take consistent work from outside assistance as well as local leadership to address these issues in order to promote economic revival and enhance living circumstances for the local populace.

Source:-

• [1] https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-arkansas/
• [2] https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/slideshows/poorest-cities-in-the-us
• [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helena%E2%80%93West_Helena,_Arkansas
• [4] https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/arkansas/marianna
• [5] https://power959.com/10-poorest-towns-in-arkansas/