Lawrence remains the poorest city in Massachusetts, with 27% of its residents living below the poverty line as of recent data. The city faces systemic challenges, including high unemployment rates (nearly double the state average), low median household income ($39,432), and significant barriers to affordable housing and healthcare.
Over 39% of children in Lawrence live in poverty, exacerbated by an expensive housing market that strains family budgets.
Key Poverty Indicators in Lawrence:
- Poverty rate: 27-29%
- Child poverty: 39%
- Median household income: ~$39,432 (vs. state median of $89,026)
- Unemployment: Historically 2x the state average
Contributing Factors:
- Economic Decline: Loss of manufacturing jobs and industrial base.
- Demographic Pressures: 74% Hispanic population facing language barriers and limited access to education.
- High Cost of Living: Median income is 52% of the state average, with heavy reliance on public assistance for basics like food and housing.
For smaller municipalities, Ware is identified as the poorest town with a median household income of $43,783 and 16.8% receiving government aid. However, among cities, Lawrence’s poverty metrics remain the most severe in Massachusetts.
Sources
- https://fun107.com/massachusetts-poorest-cities-towns-census/
- https://www.extraspace.com/blog/city-guides/most-affordable-places-to-live-in-massachusetts/
- https://stacker.com/massachusetts/cities-massachusetts-most-living-poverty
- https://www.corunummealcenter.org/the-need
- https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?
