Cleveland once again nation's poorest city

Cleveland is the poorest major city in the United States according to Census Bureau figures.

The city has 32.4 percent of its residents living in poverty, ranking it poorest among cities with populations of 250,000 or more.

Cleveland had been ranked as the nation's poorest city in 2004, but last year improved to 12th in the poverty rankings. This year's figures put it back in the top spot.

Cleveland also ranked last in median household income among major cities, at just over $24,000 per year.

Mayor Frank Jackson acknowleged the report and said, "Cleveland remains impoverished because we have failed to put together an appropriate plan that is effective in reducing poverty."

"In order to have a measurable, long-lasting impact on poverty, we need to focus on education, creating an investment environment in the City and the region, and improving workforce development," the mayor added in a prepared statement issued by his City Hall office.

George Zeller, an economic research analyst, says experts do not agree on the accuracy of these rankings, but says they do agree that the figures show economic problems for the City of Cleveland and the region.

"Whether we go up or down in the rankings may be statistically questionable," says Zeller.

"What we do know is there is serious economic trouble all across Northeast Ohio."