Discover the Poorest Town in Florida

There is plenty to love about the Sunshine State. From iconic theme parks to stunning beaches, there’s no shortage of things to do and see. People come from across the nation to visit Florida and take in its natural beauty. However, not everyone in the state lives a picture-perfect lifestyle. Due to a number of factors, and an inflation rate that continues on its steady rise, some areas have been left behind.

The government conducts the American Community Survey (ACS) each year. This survey is meant to give five-year estimates to population groups regarding things like the economy, housing, and demographics. Last December, the latest edition of the survey was released. Included in the survey were all areas with populations between 1,000 and 25,000 individuals. In this article, we’ll be analyzing this survey as it relates to the different populations in Florida. Specifically, we’ll reveal what the survey implied was the poorest town in Florida.

The Top Five Poorest Cities in Florida

Florida is a very diverse state, and its residents vary greatly in terms of economic status. Before we delve into the poorest town in Florida, we should take a look at some of the poorest cities in the state for the sake of comparison. Using the ACS data, we can see the median incomes as well as the unemployment and poverty rates of these five cities. Note that the ACS, at its core, contains speculative estimations.

What is the Poorest Town in Florida?

According to data collected by the Census Bureau, Gifford is the poorest area in Florida. Though the intention of this piece is to designate the poorest town in Florida, Gifford is technically a CDP (Census Designated Place). We’ll go into what exactly this title entails shortly, but first, let’s dive into the statistics that led to this conclusion.

Gifford is located in Sebastian–Vero Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, in Indian River County. Despite the low incomes that the general populous rakes in, the pride they have in their community is incredibly strong. You can go to their aquatic center, chow down on some local cuisine, or learn more about their incredible and culturally rich past with a visit to their historical center. Gifford, Florida, is a shining example of struggles bringing a community together instead of weakening it.

As of 2021, the median household income for a Floridian family was $61,777. However, in the tiny pocket of the Sunshine State containing Gifford, the median household income is a mere $22,353. That is over 60% lower than the statewide average! Additionally, the area has a per capita income of $15,853 despite the statewide amount of $35,216.

What is a CDP?

If you’ve never heard of the acronym CDP, you may be curious as to what it truly means. Essentially, a CDP is representative of an unincorporated place. Examples of incorporated places include towns, cities, or villages. When a place is unincorporated, it means that it lacks a local government body and a clear, legally defined boundary. The purpose of these CDPs is to provide the community with accurate statistics regardless of whether or not that community is located within an incorporated area. Because the American Community Survey includes CDPs in its findings, Gifford claims its status as the poorest town in Florida without the legal technicality of being a township.

Are the Residents of Gifford in Poverty?

For reference, the statewide Floridian poverty rate is 13.1%. In contrast to this, 48.6% of Gifford’s population lives in poverty. This is not entirely surprising when looking at the area’s median household income, but it is still a bit striking to hear the percentage accounts for nearly half of the area’s citizens. These impoverished conditions could come from a variety of sources, but mainly, they can be attributed to a lack of access and opportunity. As conditions in the area improve with time and hard work from local activists, it is hopeful that the rate will decrease. In the meantime, the Gifford community will continue to find strength in one another.

Where is Gifford, Florida, Located on a Map?

The unincorporated community of Gifford has a population of 4,481 individuals. These people reside in the southwestern portion of the state, situated between Wabasso and Vero Beach. This region of the Atlantic Coast is sometimes referred to as the Treasure Coast, and it is an area rich in both history and culture!