Shreveport ranks as the third-neediest city in the United States, according to a new study by personal finance website WalletHub that measures economic hardship, access to essentials and health-related challenges across more than 180 cities nationwide.
The ranking reflects a range of factors highlighting financial strain and limited access to basic resources for many residents. WalletHub found Shreveport experienced a 27 percent increase in homelessness between 2023 and 2024, the 35th-highest increase among cities studied.
Poverty levels were also a significant contributor to the city’s ranking. Shreveport posted the 19th-highest poverty rate among adults at roughly 21 percent, while child poverty ranked 20th-highest nationally at approximately 32 percent.
Food insecurity remains a major concern. Shreveport has the 10th-highest food insecurity rate in the country, according to the study. Nearly 62 percent of children enrolled in public schools qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, underscoring the extent to which families struggle to afford basic necessities.
Access to technology and connectivity also weighed on the city’s overall score. Shreveport ranked fourth-highest for the share of households without a computer and fifth-highest for the share lacking a broadband internet connection, factors that can limit educational and employment opportunities.
Health-related indicators further contributed to the city’s placement. WalletHub reported that Shreveport has the 16th-highest suicide rate among the cities analyzed, pointing to unmet mental health needs within the community.
WalletHub’s analysis evaluated cities using a weighted scoring system across two main categories: economic well-being and health and safety. The study incorporated 28 metrics, including poverty rates, food insecurity, homelessness growth, uninsured population levels, access to technology and mental health indicators. Data were drawn from multiple sources, including the U.S. Census Bureau, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each city received an overall score based on its relative performance across all measures.
The methodology is designed to provide a comparative snapshot of where residents face the greatest need, rather than a measure of local government performance. WalletHub said the rankings are intended to help policymakers, nonprofit organizations and community leaders better understand where resources and assistance may be most urgently required.
Shreveport ranked behind Detroit, Michigan, and Brownsville, Texas, which placed first and second, respectively, in the study.