Observations-Ben

Chalmette's economy depends heavily on the oil industry, specifically on the refineries that surround the town. Most residents still work in the area, but a number of those employed in Chalmette commute to work from their new post-Katrina home.
Interestingly, Chalmette is, by a far majority, a white town. There doesn't seem to be much segregation within Chalmette, but also consider the town's proximity to the 9th ward. Chalmette may have been intially created to help move New Orleans suburbanites out of the city and away from black communities.
Many have been dependent on FEMA relief checks for money, and some have trouble working their pre-Katrina jobs as they no longer exist. For the most part though, there doesn't seem to be any direct evidence to suggest there's much poverty in Chalmette. Most of the residents have jobs and/or homes in town. The poorest residents were hit hard by Katrina, most haven't moved back.