The U.S. Census Bureau analyzed the 20 cities with the most
Native Americans and compared the poverty rates from 2007 to
2011 in a report released Wednesday. Of the communities listed,
about half were in New Mexico and Arizona. All of the New Mexico
cities listed had higher poverty rates than the state's rate,
which was 21.5 percent. The country's was 15.9 percent.
Shiprock's poverty rate was the highest in the Southwest,
though. Its rate was 39.6 percent. Other communities in the
region also were high on the list. Gallup was fourth with 31.8
percent, Zuni Pueblo was fifth with 31.8 percent and Farmington
was seventh with 29.6 percent. "Unfortunately, our community has
been in this condition too long," said Shiprock Chapter
President Duane "Chili" Yazzie. "The only way is up." More than
96 percent of Shiprock is Native American, according to 2010
Census figures. The annual per capita income is about $12,300.
Gallup was fourth on the list, and Farmington seventh.
Albuquerque was 12th. "Farmington it's a border