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Philadelphia is again the poorest big city in the U.S., new Census numbers show

The city's poverty rate rose to 20.4% in 2025, its first increase since 2011, after dipping below 20% the year before. Mayor Parker called it 'unacceptable.' Here is what the numbers say and which City Hall efforts touch them.

By Philadelphia Politics staffUpdated

One in five Philadelphians lived below the poverty line in 2025, the highest share of any large U.S. city, according to new American Community Survey estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Inquirer reported.

The rate matters for residents because it shapes how much federal and state aid flows to the city and how far city programs have to stretch. It also lands as City Council prepares hearings on the mayor's housing spending and as federal SNAP changes take hold.

The numbers

According to the Inquirer:

  • Philadelphia's poverty rate was 20.4% in 2025. In 2024 it had dipped to 19.7%, below 20% for the first time since at least 1979. The 2025 rise is the first since 2011.
  • The rate peaked at 28.4% in 2011 and has hovered near 20% since 2023. A Pew Charitable Trusts researcher called it "basically flat for the last three years."
  • Among large cities, New York and Houston were at 17.7%. In 2024 Houston had the highest rate, 21.2%. Detroit (30.4%), Cleveland (24.1%) and Baltimore (20.9%) are higher than Philadelphia but are smaller cities.
  • The federal poverty line for a family of four was about $32,750. Philadelphia's median household income was $67,400.

Experts told the paper that year-to-year moves can reflect survey sampling, and that some immigrant households may be less likely to answer census surveys during stepped-up immigration enforcement. The ACS is an estimate with a margin of error.

Mayor Cherelle L. Parker said in a statement that "a rate of 20.4 percent is too high and unacceptable to me as mayor," the Inquirer reported. The paper did not quote any councilmembers.

What our records add

Council does not set the poverty rate, but several items on its calendar deal with the costs that push families below the line. Our records show:

  • Housing. Council approved the financing agreement for Parker's $800 million H.O.M.E. bond plan, Bill 250568, sponsored by Council President Kenyatta Johnson, which passed 16-0 in June 2025, and changed the deal with Bill 251065, which passed 17-0 in January. The controller reported that $38 million of the first $278 million had been spent by Sept. 30 (our story). Council adopted Resolution 260934, from Kendra Brooks, on Oct. 29 to hold Finance Committee hearings on that pace. No date is set.
  • Food. Johnson's food affordability package, including a proposed charter amendment creating an Office of Food and Nutrition Security, is in committee (our story).
  • Child care. The city added 100 free pre-K seats this fall, and providers get the state's per-child rate in January (our story).
  • Paid leave. Nicolas O'Rourke's Resolution 260941, urging the state to pass a paid family leave program, is on the final passage calendar for Nov. 12.
  • Property taxes. The Housing Committee holds its hearing on rising assessments Nov. 9 (our story).

What's next

Council's next session is Nov. 12, and the mayor's next budget proposal is due in the spring. Residents looking for help with benefits can call 311.