Logan, Utah, stands out as the poorest town in the state based on recent poverty rankings. While Utah boasts one of the nation’s lowest overall poverty rates at 8.3% in 2024, certain towns lag behind.
Defining “Poorest”
“Poor” typically refers to high poverty rates (percentage below the federal line) or low median household incomes. Data varies by source, but 2022 Census-derived rankings highlight Logan with 26.8% poverty—highest among listed cities.
Carbon County (home to Price) shows 16.8% poverty, third statewide. Older analyses peg Delta as lowest income at $45,964 median household.
Top Contenders
| Town/City | Poverty Rate | Median Income | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Logan | 26.8% | N/A | ~48,000 | |
| Provo | 26.3% | N/A | ~115,000 | |
| Price | ~16.8% (county) | $46,947 | 8,200 | |
| Delta | 19.7% | $45,964 | 3,457 | |
| Vernal | 20.3% | $59,178 | 10,500 |
Logan tops due to its large student population from Utah State University driving up poverty stats.
County Insights
San Juan County leads counties at 18.4% poverty, followed by Grand (17.0%) and Carbon (16.8%). These rural areas face economic challenges from mining declines and tourism seasonality.
Towns like Monticello (San Juan seat) or Price reflect these trends.
Context and Trends
Utah’s low state poverty (8.6% projected 2026) stems from strong job growth, but college towns and resource-dependent areas struggle. No single “named” town dominates 2026 headlines, but Logan persists in rankings.
SOURCES :
- https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/poverty-rate-by-state
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2022-01-24-this-city-has-the-highest-poverty-rate-in-utah/
