The 18 Poorest Neighborhoods in Texas (See How Many Are In Houston)

Despite the various economic opportunities we see in thriving parts of our city and other areas throughout The Lone Star State, poverty remains a serious issue. There are many factors that contribute to this vicious cycle, but limited access to resources, lower educational attainment, and fewer job opportunities are often attributed to pockets of our communities suffering from levels of poverty that sometimes exceed the national average. 

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Take a look at some of the poorest neighborhoods and communities in Texas, from a late 2024 article published by moneyinc.com, which features the full list on their website. .

1. Acres Home, Houston

Acres Homes, a historic Houston community, faces significant challenges related to poverty. A large portion of the population lives in census tracts classified as areas of persistent poverty, with almost 40% of residents living below the federal poverty line. Income levels are also lower than the city average, with a high percentage of residents earning less than $25,000 annually. 

2. Pleasant Grove, Dallas

Pleasant Grove, a neighborhood in South Dallas, faces significant poverty challenges. Approximately 35-40% of residents in some South Dallas zip codes, including those in Pleasant Grove, live below the poverty line. Data from Serve Southern Dallas indicates that many residents are from single-parent, blue-collar, and unemployed families. The area has a higher poverty rate than the national average. 

3. Eastwood, Houston

Eastwood in Houston experiences a significant number of residents living below the poverty line, with approximately 44% of households in the Houston area struggling to afford their basic needs. This figure includes both those below the poverty threshold and those experiencing ALICE, which is a financial hardship experienced by those working but struggling to make ends meet.

4. Morningside, Fort Worth

Morningside, a neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas, experiences poverty and faces challenges like limited access to resources and opportunities, impacting its residents’ health and well-being. Specific issues include food insecurity, inadequate healthcare access, and the impact of past policies like zoning and redlining.

5. South Park, Houston

South Park, a super neighborhood in Houston, has faced a long period of infrastructural neglect and increasing poverty. While the neighborhood has a history of generational families, it’s also experiencing increased interest due to its affordability and central location. The neighborhood has seen a decline in the quality of life due to several factors, including racial integration fears, the aging of homes, and residents’ inability to afford maintenance.

6. East Side, San Antonio

The Eastside of San Antonio faces significant poverty challenges, with high poverty rates and income disparities compared to other parts of the city and the nation as a whole. The area struggles with low educational attainment, limited access to opportunities, and historical inequities. Efforts to address these issues include the Eastside Promise Zone, a program focused on improving educational opportunities, reducing crime, and attracting private investment.

7. Southeast Houston

Poverty in Southeast Houston is a significant issue, with a notable number of residents living below the poverty line. The area faces challenges like high poverty rates, limited access to resources, and income inequality, impacting the lives of many.

8. Southside, Fort Worth

The Southside of Fort Worth, particularly the Historic Southside, faces significant poverty challenges. The area, including the 76104 ZIP code, has one of the highest poverty rates in Tarrant County, with some areas experiencing some of the lowest life expectancies in Texas. This is due to factors like high unemployment, low-to-moderate income populations, and high crime rates. The city and community organizations are working on revitalization efforts to address these issues, including infrastructure improvements, affordable housing, and job training programs.

9. East End, Houston

The East End area of Houston, specifically the 77078 ZIP code (East Houston), experiences significant poverty and economic distress. A substantial portion of the population in this area lives below the poverty line, and many residents face challenges in accessing education, employment, and healthcare.

10. Stop Six, Fort Worth

Stop Six, a Fort Worth neighborhood, has high poverty and unemployment rates, with a poverty rate of 40.4% and an unemployment rate of 21.6%. A revitalization project, the Stop Six Choice Neighborhood Initiative, aims to address these challenges by replacing older public housing with mixed-income housing, creating a neighborhood hub, and improving commercial districts.

11. Greater Fifth Ward, Houston

In the Greater Fifth Ward neighborhood of Houston, TX, 34.4% of households lived below the poverty line in 2020. Specifically, 2,388 out of 6,947 households were in poverty. This compares to a citywide poverty rate of 21.5%. The median family income in the Greater Fifth Ward was $22,237 in 2019, significantly lower than the Houston median of $43,365. Additionally, 62.9% of children in the area lived below the poverty line, which was higher than the citywide rate of 33.1%, according to the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC).

12. Harlandale, San Antonio

In Harlandale, San Antonio, a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line. Specifically, 24.3% of the total population and 20.6% of family households had income below the poverty level in the previous year. The district’s median household income is $36,919, with a median family income of $40,951.

13. Sunnyside, Houston

Sunnyside, the oldest African-American community in southern Houston, has a high poverty rate, with nearly 40% of its residents living below poverty line. The neighborhood’s median household income is significantly lower than the city average, and it faces challenges including a lack of civic services and safe, walkable streets. 

14. Linda Vista, San Antonio

15. Pasadena, Texas

Pasadena, Texas has a poverty rate of 18.33% according to World Population Review, which is higher than the national average of 13%. The average household income in Pasadena is $84,741. Data from Census Reporter indicates that 21.5% of Pasadena’s population lives below the poverty line, with 33% of children and 13% of seniors living in poverty. 

16. Hiram Clarke, Houston

Hiram Clarke is a Houston neighborhood experiencing a range of economic and social conditions, including pockets of poverty. The area has seen a mix of demographics, including white, Black, and Hispanic residents, with some residents experiencing economic hardship. 

17. South Oak Cliff, Dallas

Oak Cliff, a large neighborhood in South Dallas, faces significant poverty challenges, particularly in South Oak Cliff. The area has a lower median income than Dallas as a whole, with a considerable percentage or residents living below the poverty line. There are also disparities in access to healthcare, food, and educational opportunities. 

In the Oak Cliff area of Dallas, the poverty rate is estimated to be around 19%. Some sources indicate a poverty rate of 25%, with a median income of about $29,000. However, it’s important to note that different sources may use different methodologies and data, leading to variations in the reported poverty rates. Additionally, the poverty rate can vary within Oak Cliff, with some neighborhoods experiencing higher rates than others. 

18. South Main, Fort Worth

In South Main, a neighborhood in Fort Worth, the poverty rate is significantly higher than the overall city rate. While Fort Worth has a poverty rate of 12.9%, South Main’s rate is 28.3%, according to mySidewalk reports. This indicates a higher concentration of residents living below the poverty line in this area.