It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Flint is on this list. After all, most people are aware of the Flint water crisis. Beyond the contaminated water, however, Flint also has a 41% poverty rate. It’s one of the poorest cities on this list.
As if dirty water wasn’t bad enough, Flint also struggles with a severe opioid crisis, 20,000 abandoned buildings, and a high rate of violence. Suffice it to say that living in Flint is somewhat of a nightmare for many reasons.
Huntington Park, California
Huntington Park boasts a 97% Latino population, in large part because the town is another popular entry point for immigrants. The high number of illegal immigrants affects the town’s poverty rate and political engagement. Most residents can’t vote in the election due to their immigration status, so voter turnout is meager.
Besides, the high poverty rate makes it difficult to purchase or sell property in Huntington, which makes the entire city rather miserable.
New Brunswick, New Jersey
In New Brunswick, only 54% of the city’s 56,000 residents are employed. Although the town is small, 34% of the population also lives in poverty.
Beyond those dismal statistics, New Brunswick also struggles with crime. In 2017, reported assaults with guns rose by 64%. The violent nature of this town makes it a difficult place to live.
Gary, Indiana
Gary, Indiana, is a town that’s falling apart. At one time, it was the murder and drug capital of the US. Unfortunately, the population has declined so drastically that there are hardly enough people to do anything terrible, much less anything good.
There are few jobs available in Gary and even fewer residents. There isn’t much to this town, which is why it’s just a miserable place to live.
Hialeah, Florida
Hialeah is considered one of the least diverse cities in the country. It’s comprised primarily of a Hispanic population, and the residents are struggling. Of 239,000 people living in Hialeah, 26% live in poverty, and 31% don’t have health insurance. This is probably because only 56% of the population is working.
While the residents struggle, Hialeah is also considered one of the worst cities to live in if you have an active lifestyle. It’s hard to think about taking hikes or going on runs if you can barely put food on the table.