The study examined the basic characteristics of the rural poor as well as the causes and effects of rural poverty in rural Ikwerre communities of Rivers State, Nigeria within the period of 2000-2018. Primary and secondary sources of data were used for this study. Social exclusion theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of analysis on the causes and effects of rural poverty. The study classified the rural Ikwerre poor as cultivators and non-cultivators in the society and characterized rural Ikwerre poor as peasant farmers, hunger prone people, less educated, cheap labour, vulnerable people among others. The study identified the activities of oil multinationals; cult groups and gangs; over dependence on the family heads; gender inequality; discriminating state economic policies; poor orientation and education of the youths among others as the causes of rural poverty in rural Ikwerre communities with its attendant effects on the rural poor and the communities. The study made some recommendations on how to alleviate poverty in rural Ikwerre communities of Rivers State, Nigeria.