This is the Worst City to Live in Florida
The COVID-19 pandemic was a public health crisis that sent shockwaves through the U.S. economy — and the country’s social fabric. In addition to claiming over half a million American lives, the pandemic sent unemployment soaring and exacerbated existing problems, as drug overdoses and crime rates spiked in some parts of the country.
Even before the pandemic, however, there were cities and towns already grappling with severe social and economic distress. These communities have long struggled with challenges such as high unemployment, poverty, crime, drug misuse, and limited access to essential services.
Based on a weighted index of two-dozen social and economic measures, 24/7 Wall St. identified the worst place to live in every state. We considered cities, towns, villages, and census designated places home to at least 8,000 people.
Florida City, located in southern Florida, ranks as the worst place to live in the state. Likely due in part to a 14.0% average five-year unemployment rate, well more than double the comparable 5.6% statewide rate, serious financial hardship is widespread in the area. An estimated 40% of the 12,000 people living in Florida City earn a poverty level income, compared to 14% of all Floridians who do.
Florida City also has nearly the highest violent crime rate of any city tracked by the FBI. There were a total of 2,619 violent crimes reported in the area for every 100,000 people in 2019 compared to the national violent crime rate of 367 per 100,000.
Our index is composed of data across four categories: affordability, economy, quality of life, and community. Data is all for the most recent year available and came from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, The Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other sources. This is the worst city to live in every state.
PlaceMedian home value ($)Unemployment rate (%)Poverty rate (%)Alabama: Atmore94,30015.734.6Alaska: Fairbanks211,5007.711.0Arizona: Douglas100,30011.430.1Arkansas: Helena-West Helena73,40011.845.2California: California City124,50019.124.1Colorado: Pueblo141,0008.423.5Connecticut: Hartford165,30012.028.1Delaware: Wilmington168,0008.426.0Florida: Florida City153,10014.040.0Georgia: Albany99,80013.730.8Hawaii: Makaha404,90012.731.0Idaho: Mountain Home144,2006.616.4Illinois: Sauk Village70,40016.331.8Indiana: Gary66,10012.430.6Iowa: Fort Madison81,6008.915.9Kansas: Coffeyville55,8006.029.3Kentucky: Mayfield100,20011.634.7Louisiana: Opelousas98,1008.843.3Maine: Sanford183,8006.413.9Maryland: Baltimore160,1008.321.2Massachusetts: Holyoke195,8006.029.3Michigan: Highland Park45,70022.646.5Minnesota: Virginia92,2006.425.5Mississippi: Yazoo City70,90020.544.8Missouri: St. Louis138,7007.021.8Montana: Havre149,3006.617.8Nebraska: Scottsbluff116,6006.418.0Nevada: Fernley221,2005.89.9New Hampshire: Berlin92,1008.018.5New Jersey: Bridgeton109,2006.931.2New Mexico: Gallup132,0007.428.4New York: Binghamton91,00010.432.6North Carolina: Reidsville103,5009.524.3North Dakota: Jamestown144,8003.214.7Ohio: East Cleveland58,10018.837.5Oklahoma: McAlester101,6006.919.5Oregon: Klamath Falls159,5009.322.7Pennsylvania: McKeesport48,00012.131.4Rhode Island: Central Falls159,1006.830.2South Carolina: Lancaster141,60018.035.3South Dakota: Huron91,9001.619.7Tennessee: Memphis101,8008.725.1Texas: Robstown64,00015.438.4Utah: Price144,7007.721.9Vermont: Barre158,3007.422.8Virginia: Petersburg108,10011.724.1Washington: Tukwila315,0007.617.2West Virginia: Huntington98,2006.832.3Wisconsin: Beloit89,9008.823.1Wyoming: Rawlins171,7005.311.0
Disclaimer: This content is distributed by The Center Square
