Pennsylvania is a state rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. However, not all of its towns are equally appealing places to reside. Some of them have major obstacles, such as high crime rates, low income, inadequate education, and environmental issues. Because of these causes, many citizens have left these areas in quest of better prospects elsewhere. Here are seven Pennsylvania towns that residents are attempting to evacuate as quickly as possible.
1. Chester
Chester is a Delaware County city on the Delaware River. It was formerly a bustling industrial and manufacturing center, but it has since suffered from deindustrialization, urban deterioration, and social issues. Chester had the state’s highest violent crime rate, with 2,446 per 100,000 residents in 2019. It also has the lowest median household income in the country, at $29,954. The poverty rate is 38.4%, with a 10.9% unemployment rate. Since 2010, the city’s population has decreased by 8.3%, from 33,972 to 31,118.
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2. Johnstown
Johnstown is a city in the Allegheny Mountains of Cambria County. It is well-known for its steel industry as well as the 1889 flood, which killed over 2,200 people. However, when the steel sector fell in the 1970s and 1980s, the city’s economy and population shrank. Johnstown has the state’s second-lowest median household income, at $24,294. The poverty rate is 37.9%, with a 9.4% unemployment rate. Since 2010, the city’s population has decreased by 9.5%, from 20,978 to 18,994.
3. Duquesne
Duquesne is an Allegheny County city on the Monongahela River. It was formerly a thriving steel town, but it suffered from the industry’s downfall and employment losses. Duquesne has the state’s third-lowest median household income, at $26,186. The poverty rate is 35.8%, with an 11.1% unemployment rate. Since 2010, the city’s population has decreased by 7.4%, from 5,565 to 5,152.
4. McKeesport
McKeesport, located at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers, is a city in Allegheny County. It, too, was a significant steel and coal hub, but it experienced the same difficulties as Duquesne and Chester. McKeesport has the state’s fourth-lowest median household income, at $28,525. The poverty rate is 33.2%, with a 9.8% unemployment rate. Since 2010, the city’s population has decreased by 6.8%, from 19,731 to 18,398.
5. Reading
Reading is a city in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in the state’s southeastern corner. It was formerly an industrial and railroad center, but it has suffered from economic collapse and social turmoil. Reading has the state’s fifth-lowest median household income, at $30,823. The poverty rate is 36.4%, with an 8.7% unemployment rate. Since 2010, the city’s population has decreased by 1.6%, from 88,082 to 86,712.
6. New Castle
New Castle is a city in Lawrence County, near the Ohio border. It was a tinplate and ceramics hub, but it has also seen deindustrialization and population loss. At $31,762, New Castle has the sixth-lowest median household income in the state. Poverty is at 25.9%, and unemployment is at 8.9%. Since 2010, the city’s population has decreased by 5.4%, from 23,273 to 22,022.
7. Shamokin
Shamokin is a city in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the state’s coal area. It was a mining and railroad town, but it has been impacted by the coal industry’s decline and the environmental harm it has produced. Shamokin has the state’s seventh-lowest median household income, at $32,614. Poverty is at 28.4%, and unemployment is at 8.6%. Since 2010, the city’s population has decreased by 4.1%, from 7,374 to 7,070.
Conclusion
These seven Pennsylvania towns are instances of localities that have been left behind by economic and social changes. They are plagued by high crime, low income, inadequate education, and environmental difficulties. Many of their citizens are departing in search of better prospects elsewhere, causing population decrease and increasing deterioration. More investment, ingenuity, and support are needed in these towns to rebuild and repair their communities.