1. Mississippi
• Median household income: $37,095
• Population: 2,984,926 (20th lowest)
• Unemployment rate: 9.2% (6th highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 24.2% (the highest)
2. Arkansas
• Median household income: $40,112
• Population: 2,949,131 (19th lowest)
• Unemployment rate: 7.3% (tied-22nd highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 19.8% (4th highest)
3. West Virginia
• Median household income: $40,196
• Population: 1,855,413 (13th lowest)
• Unemployment rate: 7.3% (tied-22nd highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 17.8% (13th highest)
4. Alabama
• Median household income: $41,574
• Population: 4,822,023 (23rd highest)
• Unemployment rate: 7.3% (tied-22nd highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 19.0% (7th highest)
5. Kentucky
• Median household income: $41,724
• Population: 4,380,415 (25th lowest)
• Unemployment rate: 8.2% (tied-17th highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 19.4% (5th highest)
6. New Mexico
• Median household income: $42,558
• Population: 2,085,538 (15th lowest)
• Unemployment rate: 6.9% (tied-19th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 20.8% (2nd highest)
7. Tennessee
• Median household income: $42,764
• Population: 6,456,243 (17th highest)
• Unemployment rate: 8.0% (tied-19th highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 17.9% (tied-11th highest)
8. Louisiana
• Median household income: $42,944
• Population: 4,601,893 (25th highest)
• Unemployment rate: 6.4% (15th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 19.9% (3rd highest)
9. South Carolina
• Median household income: $43,107
• Population: 4,723,723 (24th highest)
• Unemployment rate: 9.1% (tied-7th highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 18.3% (9th highest)
10. Oklahoma
• Median household income: $44,312
• Population: 3,814,820 (23rd lowest)
• Unemployment rate: 5.2% (tied-5th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 17.2% (tied-15th highest)
Pennsylvania is ranked 29
Median household income: $51,230
Population: 12,763,536 (6th highest)
Unemployment rate: 7.9% (21st highest)
Pct. below poverty line: 13.7% (tied-20th lowest)
Source: 24/7 Wall Street, by Michael B. Sauter, Alexander E.M. Hess, and Thomas C. Frohlich
Photo by jwinfred