High rates of homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity have landed Fresno, California in the top three of the most “needy” cities in America.
The rankings were compiled by WalletHub. Factors include child and adult poverty; unemployment and underemployment; homelessness rates and criminalization laws; the wellbeing index; bankruptcy rates; education levels; residential overcrowding; share of homes with inadequate kitchens or plumbing; depression and suicide rates; and crime.
Fresno was ranked the third “neediest” city in the nation after Detroit, Michigan and Brownsville, Texas. According to WalletHub, Fresno has the state’s highest rate of homelessness. Other analyses contradict that claim. A new study by U.S. News & World Report gives Los Angeles the highest rate of homelessness in California (#2 nationwide) followed by San Diego (#4 nationwide), San Jose (#6 nationwide), Oakland (#7 nationwide), and Sacramento (#9 nationwide).
The WalletHub analysis on needy cities ranked three California localities among the top 50. Los Angeles came in at #15 and San Bernardino landed at #36.
See the full list and methodology here.