Kamiah has been identified as the poorest town in Idaho according to recent analyses of economic data. This designation is based on factors such as median household income and poverty rate, using the latest available statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and independent reports.
Median Household Income and Poverty Rate
Kamiah’s median household income stands at $34,803, which is less than half of Idaho’s statewide median of $70,214. The town’s poverty rate is 22.6%, nearly double the state average. These figures highlight significant economic challenges for Kamiah’s residents, including limited employment opportunities and lower average earnings.
Comparison to Other Towns
While Kamiah currently holds the distinction of being the poorest, other Idaho towns have also been noted for high poverty rates and low incomes. Glenns Ferry, for example, has a median household income of $29,219 and faces similar struggles with job availability and educational attainment. However, Kamiah’s combination of low income and high poverty rate places it at the top of recent rankings.
Student Towns and Statistical Distortion
Some larger Idaho cities, such as Rexburg, often appear in poverty rankings due to their high student populations and low median incomes. However, these statistics can be misleading, as many students have low reported incomes but are not representative of long-term economic hardship. For this reason, most authoritative rankings exclude college towns like Rexburg when identifying the poorest towns in Idaho.
Economic Challenges
Kamiah’s economic difficulties reflect broader trends in rural Idaho communities. These include:
Limited job opportunities
Lower rates of higher education
Higher reliance on public assistance programs
Such factors contribute to persistent poverty and lower standards of living compared to the state average.
Kamiah is currently recognized as the poorest town in Idaho, with a median household income far below the state average and a high poverty rate. While other towns like Glenns Ferry also face economic hardship, Kamiah’s statistics are the most severe according to recent data. The challenges faced by Kamiah are emblematic of those confronting many rural communities across Idaho.
sources
[1] https://247wallst.com/income/2025/01/17/the-poorest-town-in-every-state-in-america/
[2] https://1043wowcountry.com/did-you-know-the-poorest-town-in-idaho-is-an-hour-from-boise/
[3] https://liteonline.com/poorest-cities-in-idaho/
[4] https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-idaho/
[5] https://stacker.com/stories/idaho/cities-idaho-most-living-poverty
