Lincoln Heights, a small village located near Cincinnati, has been identified as the poorest town in Ohio. This community of approximately 3,100 residents faces significant economic challenges:
Economic Indicators
Median Household Income: Lincoln Heights has an extremely low median household income of just $14,676. This is less than a quarter of Ohio’s statewide median household income of $66,990.
Poverty Rate: The poverty rate in Lincoln Heights is staggeringly high at 62.9%. This means that nearly two-thirds of the population lives below the federal poverty line.
Unemployment: The village has a high unemployment rate of 26.5%, which is significantly above the state average.
Historical Context
Lincoln Heights has a unique history as one of the first predominantly African American self-governing communities north of the Mason-Dixon line. However, its development was hindered by:
- Limited incorporation boundaries that excluded industrial areas
- Lack of a strong industrial tax base
- Gerrymandering that benefited surrounding communities
Current Challenges
The community continues to face numerous obstacles:
- Limited economic opportunities
- Declining population (from over 6,000 in the 1970s to about 3,100 today)
- High child poverty rate (over 90% of children under 18 live in poverty)
- Struggling school system
- Limited public services
Comparison to Other Areas
Lincoln Heights’ economic situation is dire even when compared to other low-income areas in Ohio:
- Its median household income is less than half that of nearby Blue Ash
- It ranks significantly lower than other poor communities in the state, such as East Cleveland and Portsmouth
Despite these challenges, there are ongoing efforts by community leaders and organizations to revitalize Lincoln Heights and create new opportunities for its residents.
However, the town’s designation as Ohio’s poorest community underscores the need for significant investment and support to address its deep-rooted economic issues.
Sources:
- https://en.as.com/latest_news/the-poorest-town-in-the-usa-is-an-hour-away-from-cinncinati-the-median-home-price-is-109k-n/
- https://www.lisc.org/media/filer_public/ce/18/ce180dba-b394-4fd5-b635-4fee727e2fb6/lincoln_heights_housing_action_plan.pdf
- https://www.soapboxmedia.com/features/reasons-for-hope-in-lincoln-heights.aspx
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-10-ohio-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-state/
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/ohio/lincoln-heights-hamilton-county
Praying for your community. It would be wonderful if the incoming President could provide funding to struggling areas instead of feeding funds to places that are sustaining on their own. Would annexation help to improve your town financially? Wish I knew how to help.