These American Cities Are Getting Poorer

12. Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The 18% poverty rate in Milwaukee tops that of the state of Wisconsin, which hovers around 11%. The areas of the city with the highest rates of poverty are also those with high incarceration numbers, under-performing schools, and a lack of good jobs. Although there are better-paying jobs in the city’s outskirts that don’t require college degrees, there are major obstacles for job seekers. Transportation, affordable childcare, criminal records, and being unable to afford to move closer to the new job opportunities are all issues for the city’s lower-income population.

• Change in per capita income: $129
• Change in median household income: -$26,016
• Change in population: -120,213
• Change in poverty rate: 236.71%