Times are tough in America, but that is especially the case in the 10 poorest states in the union.

An analysis of new Census data reveals that the median household income for Americans has fallen for the second consecutive year, and the state in the most dire financial straits is Missisippi, where the median household income is $36,919 and 22.6 percent of residents live below the poverty line.

The list of America's poorest states was compiled by 24/7 Wall St. based on its analysis of the 2011 Census Bureau American Community Survey.

Most of the country's poorest states were found in the south, with West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky and Alabama rounding out the five states where average household income was lowest.

After examining the new Census data, 24/7 Wall St. also compiled a list of America's richest states. Maryland leads the pack, with a median household income of $70,004. Rounding out the top five are Alaska, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Here is a breakdown of America's 10 poorest states and the stats that contributed to the rankings, via 24/7 Wall St.

10. Oklahoma

Median household income: $43,225
Population: 3,791,508 (23rd lowest)
Unemployment rate: 6.2 percent (8th lowest)
Percent below poverty line: 17.2 percent (16th highest)

9. South Carolina

Median household income: $42,367
Population: 4,679,230 (24th highest)
Unemployment rate: 10.3 percent (8th highest)
Percent below poverty line: 18.9 percent (9th highest)

8. New Mexico

Median household income: $41,963
Population: 2,082,224 (15th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 7.4 percent (18th lowest)
Percent below poverty line: 21.5 percent (2nd highest)

7. Louisiana

Median household income: $41,734
Population: 4,574,836 (25th highest)
Unemployment rate: 7.3 percent (16th lowest)
Percent below poverty line: 20.4 percent (3rd highest)

6. Tennessee

Median household income: $41,693
Population: 6,403,353 (17th highest)
Unemployment rate: 9.2 percent (16th highest)
Percent below poverty line: 18.3 percent (12th highest)

5. Alabama

Median household income: $41,415
Population: 4,802,740 (23rd highest)
Unemployment rate: 9 percent (18th highest)
Percent below poverty line: 19 percent (7th highest)

4. Kentucky

Median household income: $41,141
Population: 4,369,356 (25th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 9.5 percent (13th highest)
Percent below poverty line: 19.1 percent (5th highest)

3. Arkansas

Median household income: $38,758
Population: 2,937,979 (19th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 8 percent (tied-25th lowest)
Percent below poverty line: 19.5 percent (4th highest)

2. West Virginia

Median household income: $38,482
Population: 1,855,364 (14th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 8 percent (tied-25th lowest)
Percent below poverty line: 18.6 percent (10th highest)

1. Mississippi

Median household income: $36,919
Population: 2,978,512 (20th lowest)
Unemployment rate: 10.7 percent (4th highest)
Percent below poverty line: 22.6 percent (the highest)

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United states