The town most frequently named the poorest in California is Thermal. According to a 2023 analysis by 24/7 Wall St., Thermal, with a population of about 1,198, has the lowest median household income in the state at just $14,500 per year, compared to California’s median of $84,097.
Additionally, 20.6% of households in Thermal receive government aid, highlighting the community’s significant economic challenges.
Other sources and rankings sometimes list small cities like Huron, Arvin, and Mendota among the state’s poorest based on poverty rates and unemployment. For example, Huron has a poverty rate of 41.3% and Arvin’s is nearly 40%. However, when considering median household income, Thermal stands out as the poorest town in California.
Summary:
- Poorest town by median income: Thermal
- Median household income: $14,500
- Percentage receiving government aid: 20.6%
- Other contenders by poverty rate: Huron, Arvin, Mendota
Thermal’s extremely low income and high reliance on assistance make it the town most widely recognized as the poorest in California as of 2025.
Sources
- https://calosba.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/CalOSBA_Low-Wealth-Areas_FY-2024-2025.pdf
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-13-california-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-entire-state/
- https://www.theworkersrights.com/least-developed-poorest-cities-in-california/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkwDB7-TIo8
- https://calmatters.org/commentary/2025/05/california-fourth-ranked-economy-budget/
