Posted by: Adam McCann

Hunger, poverty and homelessness affect every nation — even the richest and most powerful.

According to Feeding America, food insecurity plagues every U.S. county, with 40 million individuals lacking access to adequate food. 12.3 percent of the U.S. population lives in poverty. And in the absence of more affordable housing or accommodations provided by relatives or friends, many must take to the streets or shelters. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, shows that nearly 554,000 people — many of them children — had been homeless at one point in January 2017.

On the heels of our report on the most charitable states, WalletHub compared the more than 180 U.S. cities based on 27 key indicators of economic disadvantage, such as child poverty, food insecurity and uninsured rates. Read on for our findings, additional insight from our panel of experts and a full description of our methodology.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/8795/geochart-inneed.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="https://ift.tt/2SColvm>  

Neediest Cities in America

Overall Rank*	City	Total Score	‘Economic Well-Being’ Rank	‘Health & Safety’ Rank
1	Detroit, MI	63.77	1	1
2	Cleveland, OH	59.04	2	4
3	Newark, NJ	55.34	4	18
4	Memphis, TN	53.94	12	7
5	Los Angeles, CA	53.66	9	12
6	Jackson, MS	53.39	8	19
7	Little Rock, AR	53.35	35	2
8	Philadelphia, PA	53.05	7	37
9	St. Louis, MO	52.90	33	3
10	New Orleans, LA	52.74	24	6
11	Atlanta, GA	52.68	5	74
12	Brownsville, TX	51.90	11	26
13	Fresno, CA	51.83	6	97
14	Indianapolis, IN	51.57	15	23
15	Baltimore, MD	51.47	3	111
16	Birmingham, AL	51.12	27	10
17	Toledo, OH	50.72	19	25
18	Miami, FL	50.69	22	21
19	Richmond, VA	50.69	14	44
20	Gulfport, MS	50.33	30	14
21	Shreveport, LA	49.74	13	65
22	Wilmington, DE	49.50	10	89
23	Cincinnati, OH	49.41	32	20
24	San Bernardino, CA	49.36	31	30
25	Columbia, SC	49.22	21	57
26	Baton Rouge, LA	48.88	26	52
27	Rochester, NY	48.81	18	64
28	Providence, RI	48.50	23	66
29	Hialeah, FL	47.93	34	55
30	Montgomery, AL	47.92	29	59
31	Oakland, CA	47.41	50	11
32	Laredo, TX	47.30	25	88
33	Buffalo, NY	47.25	39	48
34	Augusta, GA	47.23	42	32
35	Mobile, AL	47.22	38	45
36	San Francisco, CA	47.20	70	5
37	Las Cruces, NM	47.14	37	58
38	Columbus, GA	47.05	46	28
39	New York, NY	46.93	16	121
40	Milwaukee, WI	46.85	44	39
41	Dallas, TX	46.52	56	22
42	Knoxville, TN	46.01	49	50
43	Tulsa, OK	46.01	81	13
44	Albuquerque, NM	46.01	67	17
45	Houston, TX	45.97	93	8
46	Norfolk, VA	45.95	36	91
47	New Haven, CT	45.84	17	138
48	Long Beach, CA	45.52	45	73
49	Oklahoma City, OK	45.50	77	16
50	Portland, OR	45.40	63	35
51	Charleston, WV	45.33	102	9
52	Reno, NV	45.21	86	15
53	Huntington, WV	45.17	65	46
54	Nashville, TN	45.15	55	53
55	St. Petersburg, FL	45.04	73	33
56	Phoenix, AZ	44.92	61	49
57	Fort Lauderdale, FL	44.80	48	85
58	Newport News, VA	44.71	57	69
59	Chattanooga, TN	44.56	53	70
60	Chicago, IL	44.44	41	109
61	Kansas City, MO	44.43	79	36
62	Bridgeport, CT	44.34	43	99
63	Jacksonville, FL	44.30	68	54
64	Tallahassee, FL	44.04	47	102
65	Akron, OH	43.95	59	67
66	Tucson, AZ	43.92	58	68
67	Fort Smith, AR	43.92	83	47
68	Boston, MA	43.73	20	155
69	San Antonio, TX	43.66	88	41
70	Las Vegas, NV	43.62	52	90
71	Glendale, AZ	43.51	89	43
72	Corpus Christi, TX	43.36	109	31
73	Lewiston, ME	42.97	90	62
74	Santa Ana, CA	42.72	94	60
75	Washington, DC	42.60	28	157
76	Columbus, OH	42.56	54	116
77	Stockton, CA	42.52	74	80
78	Orlando, FL	42.50	66	103
79	Spokane, WA	42.47	115	24
80	El Paso, TX	42.46	71	93
81	Honolulu, HI	42.44	78	77
82	Sacramento, CA	42.35	62	113
83	Winston-Salem, NC	42.33	64	100
84	Grand Rapids, MI	42.25	92	72
85	Wichita, KS	42.14	118	29
86	North Las Vegas, NV	42.12	51	128
87	Anchorage, AK	41.85	110	42
88	Amarillo, TX	41.71	114	27
89	Louisville, KY	41.65	97	71
90	Salt Lake City, UT	41.59	116	38
91	Lubbock, TX	41.23	119	51
92	Tempe, AZ	41.17	100	84
93	Tampa, FL	41.16	76	118
94	Greensboro, NC	41.13	95	82
95	Tacoma, WA	41.11	139	40
96	St. Paul, MN	41.03	69	127
97	West Valley City, UT	40.94	128	56
98	Springfield, MO	40.69	134	34
99	Manchester, NH	40.67	91	101
100	Huntsville, AL	40.57	84	124
101	Jersey City, NJ	40.47	107	86
102	Fayetteville, NC	40.38	85	122
103	Minneapolis, MN	40.37	80	129
104	Worcester, MA	40.33	72	136
105	Nampa, ID	40.31	82	131
106	Modesto, CA	40.07	60	151
107	Dover, DE	39.90	40	171
108	Burlington, VT	39.89	99	115
109	Denver, CO	39.88	106	94
110	Charleston, SC	39.82	101	114
111	Seattle, WA	39.81	122	78
112	Fort Worth, TX	39.77	127	75
113	Garland, TX	39.73	135	76
114	Missoula, MT	39.34	152	61
115	Anaheim, CA	39.27	141	83
116	Rapid City, SD	39.14	136	98
117	Grand Prairie, TX	39.12	144	81
118	Oxnard, CA	39.08	103	112
119	Lexington-Fayette, KY	39.06	98	132
120	Pittsburgh, PA	39.04	104	119
121	Mesa, AZ	38.91	112	110
122	Arlington, TX	38.80	146	87
123	Glendale, CA	38.61	124	108
124	Colorado Springs, CO	38.61	129	96
125	Ontario, CA	38.54	130	105
126	Omaha, NE	38.51	126	107
127	Portland, ME	38.49	120	120
128	Austin, TX	38.45	138	95
129	Fort Wayne, IN	38.38	117	126
130	Santa Rosa, CA	38.37	87	152
131	Port St. Lucie, FL	38.31	105	135
132	Boise, ID	38.30	155	63
133	Salem, OR	38.07	131	117
134	Bakersfield, CA	37.79	108	133
135	Garden Grove, CA	37.57	148	106
136	Des Moines, IA	37.51	121	130
137	Charlotte, NC	37.51	133	125
138	Billings, MT	37.48	162	79
139	Irving, TX	37.36	154	92
140	Santa Clarita, CA	37.15	75	167
141	Aurora, CO	36.78	143	134
142	Moreno Valley, CA	36.69	113	146
143	Riverside, CA	36.68	149	122
144	Vancouver, WA	36.59	156	104
145	Yonkers, NY	36.32	96	164
146	Fontana, CA	35.88	123	153
147	Durham, NC	35.69	132	147
148	Lincoln, NE	35.59	150	137
149	San Diego, CA	34.84	125	158
150	Chula Vista, CA	34.17	111	176
151	Raleigh, NC	33.63	140	170
152	Oceanside, CA	33.47	137	174
153	Chesapeake, VA	33.46	153	159
154	Pembroke Pines, FL	33.03	160	143
155	San Jose, CA	32.98	145	173
156	Cheyenne, WY	32.92	159	144
157	Cape Coral, FL	32.82	151	166
158	Aurora, IL	32.81	147	172
159	Henderson, NV	32.79	142	178
160	Peoria, AZ	32.51	161	145
161	Fargo, ND	32.40	169	139
162	Chandler, AZ	31.98	165	150
163	Sioux Falls, SD	31.90	158	160
164	Warwick, RI	31.53	173	142
165	Casper, WY	31.51	170	141
166	Virginia Beach, VA	31.11	164	156
167	Scottsdale, AZ	31.06	166	154
168	Juneau, AK	30.53	176	140
169	Cedar Rapids, IA	30.19	177	148
170	Madison, WI	30.19	157	181
171	Rancho Cucamonga, CA	29.17	168	168
172	Gilbert, AZ	29.07	175	161
173	Nashua, NH	29.00	163	180
174	Irvine, CA	28.66	167	177
175	Huntington Beach, CA	28.52	171	169
176	South Burlington, VT	27.95	178	165
177	Bismarck, ND	27.77	180	163
178	Plano, TX	27.66	181	162
179	Fremont, CA	27.33	172	179
180	Overland Park, KS	26.77	182	149
181	Pearl City, HI	26.36	179	175
182	Columbia, MD	25.59	174	182

*No. 1 = Neediest  

Ask the Experts

We asked a panel of experts to share their insight and advice regarding the changes and challenges experienced by needy groups and those who desire to help. Click on the experts’ profiles to read their bios and responses to the following key questions:

1. How are the neediest cities being helped or hurt by the Trump administration agenda?
2. How has the social makeup of people in need — in terms of age, race, gender, etc. — changed in recent decades?
3. What are the main challenges facing low-income families today?
4. Which policy interventions have proven successful in helping families achieve economic independence? Which ones have failed?
5. How can charities and nonprofits most effectively serve the poor?
6. How do the economic-mobility prospects of low-income Americans compare with their counterparts in other rich democracies?

< >

• Michael Reisch Ph.D., MSW – Daniel Thursz Distinguished Professor of Social Justice, School of Social Work, University of Maryland
• Heidi L. Allen Assistant Professor of Social Work, Columbia School of Social Work
• Suzanne Wenzel Ph.D. – Richard M. and Ann L. Thor Professor in Urban Social Development, Chair, Department of Adult Mental Health and Wellness, Fellow, Association for Psychological Science, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California
• Taniko King-Jordan DSW (Director of BSW Program), Assistant Professor, Phylis Lan Lin Department of Social Work, University of Indianapolis

Methodology

In order to determine the cities with the neediest populations, WalletHub compared 182 cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across two key dimensions, “Economic Well-Being” and “Health & Safety.”

We evaluated those dimensions using 27 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the highest level of economic disadvantage. Data for metrics marked with an asterisk (*) were available only at the state level and therefore half-weighted.

Finally, we determined each city’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its overall score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample. In determining our sample, we considered only the city proper in each case and excluded cities in the surrounding metro area.

Economic Well-Being - Total Points: 60

• Child Poverty Rate: Triple Weight (~8.18 Points)
• Adult Poverty Rate: Triple Weight (~8.18 Points)
• Unemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• Underemployment Rate: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• Homelessness Rate: Triple Weight (~8.18 Points)Note: This metric measures the number of homeless persons per 1,000 residents.
• Presence of Homeless Criminalization Laws: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)Note: This is a binary metric that considers the presence or absence of such legislation.
• Change in Family Homelessness (2017 vs 2016): Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• Well-Being Index: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)Note: This metric refers to the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index.
• Consumer Bankruptcy Rate: Half* Weight (~1.36 Points)Note: This metric measures the number of nonbusiness bankruptcy filings per capita.
• Foreclosure Rate: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• 11. Share of Owner Occupied Housing Units - without mortgage - Spending at Least 35% of Their Household Income on Housing: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• Share of Delinquent Debtors: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• Median Credit Score: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• High School Dropout Rate: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)
• Undereducated Rate: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)Note: This measures the percentage of population aged 25 years and over who did not graduate from high school.
• “Economic Security” Ranking: Half* Weight (~1.36 Points)Note: This metric measures the state’s policy potential to improve the economic security of workers, families and retirees and is based on the Economic Security Scorecard produced by the WOW (Wider Opportunities for Women) nonprofit organization.
• Economic Mobility: Full Weight (~2.73 Points)

Health & Safety - Total Points: 40

• Uninsured Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of residents without health insurance coverage.
• Food Insecurity Rate: Double Weight (~7.27 Points)
• Share of Homes with Inadequate Plumbing: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of occupied housing units without complete plumbing facilities.
• Share of Homes with Inadequate Kitchens: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of occupied housing units without complete kitchen facilities.
• Share of Severely Overcrowded Homes: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of occupied housing units that are considered “severely overcrowded”, meaning more than 1.5 persons occupy each room.
• Share of Offline Homes: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of households lacking a computer and broadband Internet service.
• Share of Adults Who Needed to See a Doctor but Couldn’t: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)Note: This metric refers to the share of adults who needed to see a doctor in the past year, but couldn’t because of costs.
• Share of Depressed Adults: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)Note: This metric measures the percentage of adults who were diagnosed with depression.
• Suicide Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)
• Crime Rate: Full Weight (~3.64 Points)

 Videos for News Use:

• YouTube (for web embedding National)
• Raw files (for editing into clips)

 Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Chmura Economics & Analytics, County Health Rankings, National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Equality of Opportunity Project, Feeding America, Wider Opportunities for Women, ATTOM Data Solutions (RealtyTrac), Gallup-Healthways and TransUnion.

Image: Suzanne Tucker / Shutterstock.com

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