Gifford has been identified as the poorest town in Florida according to a study by 24/7 Wall St., which analyzed five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey.
It is important to note that the median household income in Gifford, which is located in Indian River County, is only $22,353, which is much lower than the average income for the state, which is $61,777.
A further point to consider is that the typical value of a home in Gifford is $115,300, yet 46 percent of households in the city receive SNAP benefits. Additionally, there are more than 4,400 people living in the town.
Some Other Notably Impoverished Communities
In spite of the fact that Gifford is the most impoverished municipality in terms of the median household income, a number of other municipalities and localities in the state of Florida also experience significant rates of poverty and economic difficulties:
Immokalee: Noted for its huge population of agricultural workers and a poverty rate where four out of ten individuals live below the poverty line2, Immokalee is frequently cited as one of the poorest places in Florida. Immokalee is also noted for its high percentage of poverty. A significant number of the locals make as little as $10,000 per year from their work in the fields, and the region is also home to a large number of migrant and temporary workers2.
Belle Glade: A typical household income of $33,000 and a poverty rate that is close to 35%3 are both characteristics of the community of Belle Glade, which is situated close to Lake Okeechobee. Crime, poor living conditions, and historically high rates of disease and unemployment have all been issues that the city has suffered with to a significant degree35.
Lehigh Acres is a suburban town that has witnessed a significant rise in the number of people living in poverty, particularly after the housing crisis that occurred in 2007-2008. The poverty percentage in some census tracts in Lehigh Acres is as high as 49.8 percent, which is equivalent to the poverty rate in some of the poorest inner-city communities in the United States.
Table
| Town/City | Median Household Income | Poverty Rate | Notable Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gifford | $22,353 | 46% SNAP | Poorest by income, high SNAP usage |
| Immokalee | N/A (very low) | ~40% | Agricultural hub, many migrant workers2 |
| Belle Glade | $33,000 | ~35% | High crime, poor housing, “The Muck”35 |
| Lehigh Acres | N/A | Up to 49.8% | Suburban poverty, post-housing crash |
After taking into account the median household income as well as other economic indicators, Gifford has been officially acknowledged as the poorest municipality in the state of Florida. On the other hand, municipalities such as Immokalee, Belle Glade, and Lehigh Acres are also confronted with extreme poverty and socioeconomic issues, which provides evidence of the pervasive nature of economic suffering in a number of different regions of the state.
