Discover the Poorest Town in Oklahoma

Oklahoma — nicknamed the Sooner State — is the 46^th state in the US. It is also the 20^th largest state in the country. Because of this, it features a wide range of captivating parks, wildlife, and cuisines. From its indigenous heritage in the Tulsa-Broken Arrow metropolitan area to its breathtaking natural wonders like Robber’s Cave or Beavers Bend State Park, there are countless reasons why this state attracts both visitors and residents alike. However, nestled in the southeastern part of this diverse and promising state lies a city that faces vast economic challenges. Acting as a reminder of the disparities that exist within Oklahoma’s diverse cities and towns, not all places offer residents the same prosperous lifestyles as others. Read on to discover the poorest town in Oklahoma and the reasons behind its financial instability.

The Top 5 Poorest Cities in Oklahoma

Throughout its early history, Oklahoma was primarily recognized as a farming and ranching state. Then, on April 15, 1897, oil was discovered. This changed the state’s history forever, but that success only extended so far. When the fluctuating oil prices dropped in subsequent years, this discovery proved to have a great impact on the state’s poverty levels. Today, Oklahoma ranks eighth for being the poorest state in the country. It averaged a poverty rate of 15.7% in 2022.

Despite the allure of Oklahoma’s diverse culture, high-rated colleges, and beautiful landscapes, the economic struggles faced in some places cannot be ignored. Before we discuss the poorest town in Oklahoma, let us first explore the top five poorest towns in the state. Looking at the economic divergence throughout the state allows us to compare the averages in the country to the average rates of various municipalities in Oklahoma. This can help us identify if the state as a whole is falling behind or if poverty is just affecting a few distinct areas.

Oklahoma’s state motto is “Labor Omnia Vincit” or “Labor Conquers All”. While this may have inspired a sense of determination and job loyalty among its residents at some point, it may have also inadvertently fostered a culture that allowed higher poverty rates to thrive. Though the state is known for its thriving oil, gas, aerospace, and agricultural industries, other crucial factors have inadvertently been pushed aside, causing an increase in financial instability. With education and economic opportunities going unnoticed in certain parts of the state, Oklahoma’s poverty rates have increased tremendously. The following five cities are some of the worst affected.

Vinita — Oklahoma’s 5th Poorest City

Vinita is a city located in the northeastern part of Oklahoma. With a population of 5,180 residents, its overall poverty level averages 24.9%. It was founded as a result of the booming Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad. This brought a significant number of jobs to the area’s locals. Causing an economic boom for its residents, Vinita became more attractive for trade and commerce as well. However, as the financial boom from the railroad died down, the city began to struggle.

With the construction of the railroad intersection complete, many residents faced harrowing job losses. This was essentially the beginning of the end for the city of Vinita since they have achieved very limited economic growth since that initial swell. Today, residents struggle with the same problem: the city’s limited job opportunities. This is just one of the primary causes of Vinita’s current extreme poverty, along with its limited access to affordable healthcare and educational resources. Still, many citizens of the city are able to avoid technically “living in poverty” thanks to the exceptionally low cost of living in the area.

Anadarko — Oklahoma’s 4th Poorest City

Anadarko ranks in fourth place as the poorest city in Oklahoma. The town has a population of 6,182. Even with a median income of $44,203, it has an unemployment rate of 10.3% and a poverty rate of 29.3%. Anadarko, located in the southwestern corner of the state, is widely known for its Native American culture and rich history. It even acts as the capital of the Kiowa Tribe, making the town a mecca for Native American residents.

Despite its deeply rooted cultural significance, Anadarko has struggled with persistently high poverty levels over the years. One of the main reasons for this is its limited economic diversification. Anadarko heavily relies on agriculture, particularly cattle ranching, which is susceptible to market fluctuations and adverse weather conditions. This dependence on a single industry increases vulnerability and limits job opportunities. Furthermore, Anadarko faces challenges in terms of educational attainment and access to healthcare services, which further hinder socioeconomic progress and perpetuate poverty in the area.

Idabel — Oklahoma’s 3rd Poorest City

Idabel, a city of just 7,004 residents, was first established as a railroad town. Later, it became one of the state’s largest centers for timber production. Over time, the timber industry declined significantly. This was in part due to the unsustainable forestry practices used to harvest the timber. Mainly though, the overall demand for timber fell, which directly caused a majority of its residents to lose their jobs.

Although it was once a flourishing hub, today, the city struggles with high poverty levels and one of the highest crime rates in the state. More than one in every eight area households lives on an income of less than $10,000 a year. Compared to other towns and cities in Oklahoma, Idabel also leads in deaths and injuries caused by firearms and drugs. Because of the lack of job diversification in the area as well as the growing crime rate, the local economy remains stagnant, with many of the locals struggling to secure stable employment.

Seminole — Oklahoma’s 2nd Poorest City

Seminole is the second-poorest city in Oklahoma. Of the 7,131 residents this city has, about 35.2% of them live below the poverty line. Like the previous towns and cities, their poverty is caused by a lack of economic opportunities in the area. Located in central Oklahoma, Seminole was first established as a trading post before it refocused its attention on the oil industry in later years. Despite the presence of these highly sought-after natural resources, the city today faces high levels of poverty among its citizens.

Job insecurity is the biggest problem in Seminole, especially since the oil industry is so unstable. When the price of oil decreases and/or fluctuates, many employees are left with reduced incomes or no job at all! Additionally, since the job market is so heavily reliant on oil in this area, there is very little job diversification. This causes many difficulties for Seminole residents and ultimately leads to its excessively high poverty rates.

What is the Poorest Town in Oklahoma?

Unfortunately, the poorest town in Oklahoma is Hugo. As of 2023, this small town had a poverty rate of 42.8%. In the United States, this average is a mere 11.5%. For context, this town is located about nine miles north of the Texas border and was established in 1901. Found at the junction of U.S. Highways 217 and 70, this Oklahoma town sits at the southernmost point of the Indian Nation Turnpike.

The town is named after Victor Hugo, the famous French novelist. It was founded as a crucial transportation hub along the Arkansas and Choctaw Railroad. Additionally, it was a prime location for trade thanks to its strategic location along the railroad. It was also later used as a peanut cultivation and processing center. This is still one of the state’s highest-yielding crops today. Though it was once a bustling city full of life, over the years, the declining economic environment in Hugo has caused a significant decrease in its residents’ quality of life. This downfall was mainly due to three main factors.  

Limited Job Opportunities

Job opportunities and a lack of diverse industries are some of the most prominent factors that play a role in the economic instability faced within this town’s borders. Hugo severely lacks major industries and corporations within its borders. Instead, it relied predominately on the peanut industry as well as the now-struggling railroad systems and oil industries. Because of this, employment diversity is extremely sparse, and stable employment is very hard to come by. That is why so many residents take prefer working outside of the town’s borders. In surrounding cities, there are many more stable job opportunities, oftentimes with higher-paying salaries as well.

High Unemployment Rates

With a current standing as the poorest town in Oklahoma, Hugo’s residents face various hardships and economic struggles. Even though the cost of living ranks in the bottom 15% of the state, nothing is affordable when there is no income coming in at all. For this reason alone, it is clear that the record-breaking unemployment rates in Hugo are one of the main reasons behind its high poverty rates. Diving further into that, the unemployment rate totals 10.2%, making it the second highest in the entire state. Since the railroad accounted for a majority of the employment positions in Hugo, its downfall led to an explosive period of poverty in the town.

Low Household Incomes

Because jobs are very hard to come by, and many of them have below-average pay, a majority of households in Hugo live far below the poverty line. Even with two working adults in the home, it is hard for many residents to get by. To explain this further, the median income among Hugo’s residents averages $25,212 annually. For reference, the annual median income in the United States is $31,133.

Does Hugo Have the Highest Crime Rate in Oklahoma?

It is often wrongly assumed that the poorest cities will always be the most dangerous. Though this is sometimes true, it is not always the case. Even though Hugo has the highest levels of poverty, it is still not the most dangerous or most crime-ridden city in Oklahoma. Taking into consideration violent crimes and property crimes, Shawnee actually takes the number one spot for being the most dangerous place in the state.

This small city is located right in the center of the state, just 40 miles east of Oklahoma City. As of 2021, it is the 14^th most populated city in the state and has a population of 31,576 residents. The median household income is $54,896. While Shawnee is not the poorest place, it has record-breaking levels of crime. Shockingly, the total crime rate in this area is 113% higher than the national average. Homelessness is also excessively high, averaging double the national average in the United States. This fact likely contributes to the high levels of property crime in the area. Additionally, the violent crime rate is 12.23 per 1,000 people. The chances of you becoming a victim of a violent crime in this city are 1 in 180.

Summary

To conclude our exploration into the poorest town in Oklahoma, we now understand that the economic decline is due to a whole host of problems. It is crucial to acknowledge the hardships faced in these poverty-stricken towns and cities as well as understand the main reasons behind what is causing them. Low wages, underemployment, and low levels of educational attainment were some of the main factors causing the state’s exceptionally high poverty levels.

While that is true, remember that this analysis is not intended to make assumptions based on the people who live there. Instead, it is to shine a light on the problems faced in these places to truly understand and work towards implementing sustainable solutions to help improve these places. In doing so, we can help Oklahoma residents in Hugo and other impoverished cities achieve a higher quality of life. It is also very important to remember that there is more to Oklahoma than just its economic challenges. Even with some struggling areas, the Sooner State is still home to a thriving community and numerous awe-inspiring natural wonders that deserve appreciation.