Prior to COVID-19, the Appalachian Region was seeing improvements in income and poverty. Median household income increased 4.3% between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024, with increases reaching at least 15% in 44 counties scattered throughout the region. Despite these improvements, Appalachia’s figure is 82% of the nation’s median household income.
The overall share of Appalachians in poverty declined 1 percentage point between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024. However, rates have stayed the same or increased in 143 counties. It remains to be seen whether these improvements helped buffer Appalachia from the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Learn more about Appalachia’s income and poverty trends below.
Median Income in Appalachia
Median Family Income Growth
During 2020-2024, the median family income in Appalachia was 85% of the U.S. median of $99,999. Yet in 78 Applachian counties, median family income matched or exceeded the Appalachian Region’s median of $85,002. In 19 of these counties – in metro areas – the median family income matched or exceeded the U.S. median. In contrast, median family income was less than $50,000 in 12 counties.
Poverty in Appalachia
Poverty Rate by Subregion
The share of Appalachian residents in poverty fell 1 percentage point in 2020-2024. Poverty decreased in all subregions and county types and in nearly all states. The decline in poverty was greatest in Appalachian Kentucky, where poverty fell by 2.1 percentage points.
Poverty Rate by Age Group
Poverty among both children and young adults (ages 18 to 24) fell noticeably since 2015-2019. Child poverty dropped by 2.4 percentage points, to 18.8%, in 2020-2024, while poverty among young adults fell 3.3 points to 21.5%. Poverty rose 1.8 points for older residents (ages 65 and over) in the region and in all subregions, county types, and states.
