Discover the Poorest Town in Illinois

Illinois is a state of wide income disparity. You can see this not only by comparing the gleaming towers of Chicago’s “Gold Coast” with its urban ghettos but also in the smaller towns and cities across the state. Many of the most economically distressed communities are located in the southern part of the state. There are a lot of different ways to measure poverty. One of these is to find out how many people live below the poverty line as a percentage of the population. By this measure, 2023 data shows that Carbondale is currently the poorest town in Illinois.

Carbondale Poverty Statistics

Carbondale Poverty Statistics

Carbondale, located in Jackson County, has a population of 21,484. The population has declined by -1.77% since the 2020 Census and continues shrinking at about -0.59% a year. The average income for a household in Carbondale is $48,039. Carbondale’s poverty rate is 40.45%, compared to 12.1% in the state of Illinois overall, and 11.5% in the United States. Homeownership in Carbondale is 28.9%, compared to 66.6% in Illinois and 64.7% nationally. The high crime rate is a deterrent to living in Carbondale. The violent crime and property crime rates there are higher than the state and national averages.

Poverty Locations and Demographics

Tatum Heights and Lake Heights on the northeastern side of the city are the neighborhoods that are most economically disadvantaged. Poverty is not limited to those areas, however, as impoverished people live all over the city. Some are students at Southern Illinois University, with an enrollment of 11,359 in fall 2023. Poverty among the student population likely explains the majority of those living in poverty in Carbondale are white males aged 18-24, followed by white females of the same age group.

Causes of Poverty in Carbondale

A lot of different factors contribute to urban poverty. Researchers and nonprofit specialists suggest some of the following factors that may be a part of Carbondale’s poverty crisis:

• A lower-than-average educational level among those aged 25 and above.
• Low levels of home ownership – a primary means of wealth accumulation for most Americans.
• Discrimination in housing and employment.
• Inadequate engagement in the issue of student employment and living standards by Southern Illinois University.
• Carbondale is located in southern Illinois where the regional economy is more depressed and at a higher poverty level than the rest of the state.

What Does Carbondale Have Going for It?

No town wants to be known as the poorest town in Illinois, or any other state. These issues never have easy solutions. They are often connected with broader economic and social trends that go beyond the influence of local government. Here are some of Carbondale’s assets that can help it improve its economic situation in the future:

• Southern Illinois University draws talented students and employees to the area. Enrollment has declined for several years but increased in fall 2023. Advertised as one of the top 5 research universities in the country, SIU has the academic resources to help the city find evidence-based approaches to mitigate urban poverty.
• Tourism to the area benefits from cultural and sporting events at SIU, several wineries, a science center, a golf center, children’s parks, and several state parks within an easy drive. Cedar Lake, the town reservoir, is a popular recreation spot.
• Several large manufacturing employers are located in the area, including Sherwin-Williams, Hallmark, Caterpillar, and Rockwell Automation.
• The city has convenient transportation links by road, rain, and air travel that facilitate commerce and tourism.
• The University brings cultural diversity to the city. It is the site of the first Hindu temple in Southern Illinois, serving about 300 families of that faith living there. The city has a variety of ethnic cultural events and dining venues.
• In 2022 the city announced a sustainability action plan for clean energy usage, recycling, reducing water pollution, and more. This can create a more favorable environment for large progressive-minded employers to locate operations in the area in the future.

You can learn more about Carbondale and how the city tells its own story at its official website.