# data[].attributes.headline
Memphis only city in South at top of 'economically distressed' list

# data[].attributes.subject
Memphis only city in South at top of 'economically distressed' list

# data[].attributes.body
The nation's largest poor cities are Cleveland, Newark, Buffalo, Detroit, Toledo — and Memphis.

The Bluff City joins several Rust Belt and northeastern cities at the top of a new report of the most economically distressed communities in the nation. Rounding out the list are Milwaukee, Stockton, Philadelphia and Tucson, making Memphis the only city in the South — and the only city in the heart of the country — in the top 10.

According to the Economic Innovation Group's (EIG) new 2017 Distressed Communities Index (DCI), Memphis was the sixth most distressed area among the nation’s 100 largest cities, with 66.1 percent of residents living in a distressed ZIP code.

To see more data, check out the chart at the bottom of this story.

The DCI is a nationwide analysis and interactive tool for measuring the economic vitality of U.S. communities. The group's mission is to advance solutions that empower entrepreneurs and investors to forge a more dynamic economy.

To determine which communities are the most economically distressed, the report looks at the housing vacancy rate, the percent of those aged 25-64 not working, the percent of the population whose household income falls below the poverty rate, the median income compared to the state’s median income and the percent change in the number of business establishments, among other factors.

From 2011 to 2015, Memphis saw a 2.7 percent reduction in its number of businesses, while employment increased 1.3 percent. During the same time period, Shelby County had a .09 percent reduction in its number of businesses and a 2.9 percent increase in employment.

Shelby County was in the nation's top 15 most economically distressed counties, with 47.4 percent of residents living in a distressed ZIP code. Shelby County's "distress score" was 60.7. For comparison, Fayette County had a distress score of 22.6 and Tipton County had a distress score of 32.9. Desoto County had a distress score of only 2.8.

# data[].attributes.headline
Statistics show poverty increasing in Memphis in 2016

# data[].attributes.subject
Statistics show poverty increasing in Memphis in 2016

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Tara O'Quinn lives near Uptown and works out East. On most days, that means planning ahead to catch the bus.

"If I`m heading somewhere I need to be there maybe, nine o-clock, I need to be here two hours early."

O'Quinn says on the days she has to be at work at 6:00 a.m. catching the 5:15 bus means being up before 3:00 a.m.

She works in retail, and like many, faces limitations with public transportation.

"As you know, better job opportunities are farther out and the buses typically don`t go that far," said O'Quinn.

The 24-year-old's routine is a reflection of what many Memphians deal with on a daily basis.

Dr. Elena Delavega, of the University of Memphis, says the problems with transportation contribute to the cycle of poverty in Memphis.

"When people cannot get to work, when they cannot get to jobs, they will not have jobs."

And the problem is growing worse/

The latest statistics, compiled yearly by Delavega, show Memphis has the highest poverty and child poverty rate in the country among larger, metropolitan cities.

Poverty rates for 2016 increased for every race in Memphis.

The rates are higher for African-Americans at 32.3%. A look at median household incomes reveals blacks families earn roughly half than that of their white counterparts.

The 2016 poverty rate is 26.9 % and the child poverty rate is even worse at 44.7 % in Memphis.

"What that means and I want you to think about it, is that when you see a child walking down the street, when you see a child, there`s a 50-50 chance, there is yes, no, that that child is living in poverty."

Delavega says we won't solve child poverty without helping families, particularly mothers and it starts with jobs.

"Raising the minimum wage is an essential first step in eliminating poverty. Poor families have poor children."

Delavega says the other two critical steps are an efficient and effective public transportation system; along with high quality, affordable child care.

She also says the entire community must realize poverty is everyone's problem.

"The reality is, unless we all come out together, we will all sink together."

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Statistics show poverty increasing in Memphis in 2016

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Tara O'Quinn lives near Uptown and works out East. On most days, that means planning ahead to catch the bus. "If I`m heading somewhere I need to be there maybe, nine o-clock, I need to be here two hours early." O'Quinn says on the days she has to be at work at 6:00 a.m.

# data[].attributes.headline
Memphis-area incomes up, but so is poverty, census estimates show

# data[].attributes.subject
Memphis-area incomes up, but so is poverty, census estimates show

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Memphis-area incomes up, but so is poverty, census estimates show

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Memphis reclaimed its distinction as the poorest large metro area.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the Memphis website and it helps with poverty facts and statistics surrounding the local area.