‘Not enough jobs.’ Nine of the 30 poorest counties in U.S. are in Eastern Kentucky

By Bill Estep

bestep@herald-leader.com

December 03, 2017 11:45 AM

UPDATED 3 HOURS 0 MINUTES AGO

The poverty rates in nine Eastern Kentucky counties were among the 30 highest in the nation in 2016, according to new U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The rate in Owsley County was third-highest in the country, at 45.2 percent, the agency estimated.

The highest rate in the U.S. was in Todd County, S.D., at 48.6 percent, and next was Crowley County, Col., at 48 percent, according to the report released Thursday.



Read more here

Last updated on .

Table of Contents

    NEWS

    News & publications

    More News

    6 Mar 2026

    House with roots coming out of the bottom

    AppalReD Legal Aid offering free estate planning, title clearing clinics

    (WYMT) -AppalReD Legal Aid is hosting free legal assistance clinics offering…

    Continue Reading about AppalReD Legal Aid offering free estate planning, title clearing clinics

    4 Mar 2026

    Photo of Rosenberg in a gray suit

    KY lawyer John Rosenberg receives national honor for his commitment to justice

    Excerpted from The Kentucky Lantern's February 23rd online edition.Kentucky…

    Continue Reading about KY lawyer John Rosenberg receives national honor for his commitment to justice

    16 Jan 2026

    Disaster Preparedness Clinics

    AppalReD is helping with the paperwork side of disaster preparedness during an…

    Continue Reading about Disaster Preparedness Clinics