What percentage of somalis in minnesota are on some kind of gov welfare, also what percentage of appalachia and rural alabama

Quick Answer:

• Somalis in Minnesota: Around 81% of Somali-headed households use at least one form of government welfare, rising to nearly 90% among households with children.

• Appalachia overall: Roughly 14–15% of residents live below the poverty line, with welfare participation higher than the national average, but exact percentages vary widely by county.

• Rural Alabama: Poverty rates hover around 21–26% in many rural counties, with significant reliance on programs like SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid.

📊 Comparison Table

Region / Group	Welfare Participation / Poverty Indicators	Notes
Somali households in Minnesota	81% overall, 89% with children	Includes cash assistance (27%), food stamps (54%), Medicaid (73%)
Appalachia (13-state region)	14.3% poverty rate (vs. ~12% national)	Poverty persists despite improvements; welfare use higher in rural counties
Rural Alabama	21–26% poverty rate in many counties	SNAP participation significant; rural poverty exceeds state average

🧾 Detailed Breakdown

Somali Refugees in Minnesota

• Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) analysis of Census Bureau data shows 81% of Somali refugee–headed households in Minnesota rely on at least one welfare program.

• Among households with children, the figure rises to 89%.

• Specific programs: 27% cash assistance, 54% food stamps, 73% Medicaid enrollment.

• This is far higher than native-born Minnesotans, underscoring economic challenges in refugee communities.

Appalachia

• The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) reports 14.3% of residents live below the poverty line, compared to ~12% nationally.

• Poverty is deeply entrenched in rural counties, especially in Central Appalachia (eastern Kentucky, West Virginia).

• Welfare participation rates are not given as a single figure, but SNAP and Medicaid enrollment are disproportionately high compared to national averages.

• Despite improvements in education and employment, Appalachia still lags behind the rest of the U.S..

Rural Alabama

• 42% of Alabama’s population lives in rural areas.

• Poverty rates in rural counties often exceed 20%, with some counties (e.g., Barbour, Cleburne, Randolph) reporting 21–26% poverty.

• SNAP participation maps show rural counties have higher food stamp usage than urban ones.

• Medicaid and other assistance programs are critical due to limited healthcare access in rural Alabama.

⚠️ Key Considerations

• Somali households in Minnesota show unusually high welfare reliance compared to both state and national averages.

• Appalachia and rural Alabama face structural poverty, with welfare participation tied to persistent economic underdevelopment.

• Percentages differ: Somali refugee households show program participation rates, while Appalachia and Alabama data are more often reported as poverty rates, which correlate strongly with welfare use.