Treece Talk Blog

Let’s expose some political misinformation and harmful myths. Today, I want to tackle a stereotype that’s been around for ages: the idea that all our federal welfare dollars go to “collapsing inner cities” filled with “dependent people.” It was a main talking point in the recent U.S. Presidential election by the Trump campaign and other Republicans.

This tired narrative conveniently overlooks a huge part of the picture—rural poverty. So, what’s the real story?

Urban vs. Rural Poverty: The Numbers Don’t Lie

According to the United States Census Bureau’s 2020 data, the poverty rate in metropolitan urban areas was 11%. Meanwhile, in non-metropolitan rural areas, it was 14.1%. That’s a significant difference. In fact, rural areas had a poverty rate that was 28% higher than their urban counterparts.

And let’s not forget what comes with rural poverty: opioid addiction, unemployment, and a lack of opportunities. These aren’t just “inner city” problems. They’re hitting rural areas hard, too. So next time someone tries to paint poverty as an exclusively urban issue, you’ve got the facts to set them straight.

Federal Dollars: Who’s Paying and Who’s Receiving?

Now, let’s dig into another myth: the idea that federal welfare dollars primarily benefit urban areas. To understand the truth, we need to look at something called the federal balance of payments for each state. This metric compares the taxes a state pays to the federal government with the federal spending it receives in return.

Here’s the general trend:

Donor States: These are wealthier states with higher incomes and tax bases—places like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California. They pay more in federal taxes than they get back in federal funding.

Recipient States (often labeled “welfare states”): These states receive more federal spending than they contribute in taxes. They tend to have lower incomes, higher reliance on federal assistance, or larger rural populations. Think Kentucky, Mississippi, West Virginia, and Alabama.

The Hypocrisy in the Narrative

A 2022 report from the Rockefeller Institute of Government lays it all out. New York, for example, is the top donor state, paying billions more in taxes than it receives back. 

On the flip side, Kentucky and West Virginia top the list of recipient states, pulling in far more federal dollars than they contribute.

So here’s the kicker: if you’re going to look down on “welfare recipients” and use “inner cities” as a dog whistle, you’re missing the point. The truth is, rural areas—particularly in Republican “red” states—are even more dependent on federal welfare programs. Not a judgment; just the reality.

Let’s Keep Busting Those Myths

There’s plenty more hypocrisy to uncover and myths to debunk. The narrative around federal welfare often doesn’t hold up under scrutiny, and I’m here for all of it. So stay tuned, because we’ve got a lot more ground to cover. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to explore more...

Need a second opinion on your financial plan to ensure it’s performing its best to help you live passionately according to your values and goals?

Schedule a complimentary consultation with Team Treece to get honest, no-nonsense money advice and support to help you thrive in 2025.

Related Resources

Treece on Trump YouTube Playlist

Treece On Trump: 2025 Predictions, Politics & Pitfalls

Take Control in a Time of Change and Uncertainty
_ _ _

The views stated in this blog are not necessarily the opinion of Cetera Advisors LLC. Due to volatility within the markets mentioned, opinions are subject to change without notice.

Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee future results.