7 Poorest Cities in California

5. Davis City

Total population: 66,205

Number of people living below poverty line: 18,499

Percent of total population living below poverty line: 28.5

Davis, home to University California Davis, has a large student population which affects statistical data about the city. On one side, median household income of $53,678 is at the level of the national average while only 5.5 percent of families live below poverty line, which is significantly lower compared to other listed places. Still, almost third of Davis’s residents are labeled as poor. The difference in the numbers is the result of the significant income gap between student and non-student population. While the first group falls on the lower end of the income scale, the second group sufficiently to increase median household income for the whole city. Thus, unlike in other listed places, high poverty rate in Davis does not reflect the lack of employment opportunities or poor salaries.

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