Living in the U.S. has its upsides, but not all American cities are good for living. Some places are full of serious challenges — persistent poverty, low wages, underperforming schools, impoverished health care systems, crime-ridden neighborhoods, endemic unemployment, racial tensions, etc. The list goes on. In some of these areas, these challenges can make life for residents an endless battle of impossibilities. So we took a close look at 10 of the worst places to live in America right now in order to better understand the type of hardships found here. Here are the top 10 worst places to live in America.
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Flint, Michigan
National attention to Flint’s water crisis brought an uncomfortable spotlight to the city — which has long suffered from economic depression. The automobile industry helped make Flint a major manufacturing center during the 20th century – but the factories that employed the city’s residents closed long ago. Today, Flint is home to some of the highest poverty rates and poorest drinking-water quality in the US, and recovery has been slow.
Detroit, Michigan
The city of Detroit is faced with high unemployment and a falling population. Plus, they were beat-down by the down economy and the auto industry leaving town. This caused many people to lose their jobs and end up in poverty with a high crime rate and a bunch of poor neighborhoods. The government has been trying to fix the city and bring the people back. Yet many people do not have much of a chance.
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Camden, New Jersey
Camden is one of the poorest areas in New Jersey. Once a center for manufacturing – the city suffered when industries left, leaving a lack of jobs and resources. Violent crime is a consistent part of daily life. The persistent poverty and constant crime make it nearly impossible for residents to find and keep jobs. Public services are a mess.
East St. Louis, Illinois
The decline of industry has had a similarly devastating impact on the city of East St. Louis in Illinois. After businesses closed or moved elsewhere during the economic downturn of recent decades, East St. Louis has grown increasingly poor and dangerous. Education, healthcare and other social services are scarce. East St. Louis also struggles with abandoned buildings and dilapidated infrastructure.
McDowell County, West Virginia
Poverty rates in McDowell, one of the poorest counties in the Appalachian region of the US, are among the highest in the nation. The decline in coal mining has led to widespread joblessness and economic and social hardships for the region. The availability of healthcare and education is low — and rates of addiction are high. Life in McDowell County isn’t easy.
Gallup, New Mexico
Gallup is quite poor and is plagued with many of the problems associated with a lack of available jobs and healthcare. It has a large Native American population, and many of its residents struggle economically. Alcohol and substance abuse are rife and there is limited access to care for those communities who might need it.
Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore is a city with great potential, contributing to the centuries-old growth of the country. But it is also a city that suffers from long-standing and ongoing issues — most of which are concentrated in low-income neighborhoods. Due to high crime and poverty rates, many residents in certain parts of the city lack quality education and healthcare. Redevelopment of the city is still in progress. Even some of the wealthiest areas have at least a few communities struggling with job security and safety.
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield is another place with economic woes. Its unemployment rate is relatively high, and many of its residents live in poverty. Many of Bakersfield’s workers are in agriculture, but agriculture sector jobs can be low-paid or seasonal, making workers’ lives unstable. The city also has problems with poor air quality, which can affect the health of its residents.
Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota
Pine Ridge is considered one of the poorest communities in the United States. The area is home to the Native American Oglala Lakota tribe. Poverty, lack of access to health care, poor quality of housing & education and low employment opportunities can all present obstacles to economic stability and health on the reservation.
Immokalee, Florida
Many residents in Immokalee work in agricultural areas and hold jobs as farm laborers — which are often seasonal and low-wage. This makes it difficult for workers to become financially secure. Residents often live in substandard housing, and have limited access to health care. The economic problems faced by residents, combined with lack of certain services, makes the town of Immokalee one of the toughest places to live in the US.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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