Orange Cove has been named the poorest city in California for 2026, based on metrics like median household income of $33,671 and a 46.5% poverty rate. This small town in Fresno County tops recent analyses due to low wages, high unemployment, and limited job opportunities despite affordable housing.
Key Statistics
| Metric | Orange Cove | California Average |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,635 | N/A |
| Median Income | $33,671 (lowest) | ~$91,000 |
| Poverty Rate | 46.5% (highest) | 12.1% |
| People in Poverty | 4,478 | N/A |
Why Orange Cove?
Primarily agricultural with seasonal farm work driving economic challenges; it held the #1 spot from prior years with no change. Cost of living is low (bottom 15% statewide), but persistent poverty affects nearly half the residents.
Other Contenders
Firebaugh ranks second with $36,078 median income and 43.3% poverty, while tiny places like Kennedy Meadows show 100% poverty rates but smaller populations under typical city thresholds. Rankings vary by data source and population cutoff (e.g., >5,000 for RoadSnacks).
Sources:
- https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-california/
- https://zipatlas.com/us/ca/city-comparison/highest-poverty.htm
