Poverty Rate vs. Average Temperature by State
States with higher Average Temperature tend to have higher Poverty Rate.
Strong link: a correlation of 0.54 across 50 states.CorrelationHow closely two metrics move together, from −1 to +1. Near +1: both rise together. Near −1: one rises as the other falls. Near 0: no clear link.More in the glossary →
Each dot in the chart is one of 50 states. The correlation between Average Temperature and Poverty Rate is 0.54, a strong relationship: about 30% of the differences in Poverty Rate from place to place line up with Average Temperature. Ranked instead of measured, the link is 0.55.
The highest Poverty Rate is in Louisiana (18.9%), Mississippi (18.9%) and New Mexico (17.8%); the lowest is in New Hampshire (7.25%), Utah (8.5%) and Minnesota (9.3%). The median state has 11.8% for Poverty Rate and 52.0 for Average Temperature.
The biggest exceptions sit furthest from the trend line. New Mexico, Mississippi and West Virginia have a much higher Poverty Rate than their Average Temperature would predict, while Hawaii, New Hampshire and Maryland have a much lower one.
This is a comparison across places, not proof that one causes the other: both can follow from something else, such as income, age or how urban a place is. Average Temperature is from the latest available year and Poverty Rate from 2024.
Highest Poverty Rate
| Place | Poverty Rate | Average Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 18.9% | 67.1 |
| Mississippi | 18.9% | 64.2 |
| New Mexico | 17.8% | 54.5 |
| West Virginia | 16.7% | 52.6 |
| Kentucky | 16.1% | 56.3 |
Lowest Poverty Rate
| Place | Poverty Rate | Average Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 7.25% | 44.0 |
| Utah | 8.5% | 49.2 |
| Minnesota | 9.3% | 41.7 |
| Colorado | 9.44% | 46.2 |
| Maryland | 9.45% | 55.4 |
Explore it yourself
- Open this comparison in the interactive chart to highlight places, change the metrics or colour by party.
- Full ranking and sources for Average Temperature
- Full ranking and sources for Poverty Rate