Maryland is a state with various attractions, including the Chesapeake Bay, the National Aquarium, and the United States Naval Academy. However, not all of its cities are equally appealing to reside in. According to a recent research conducted by Zippia, a job reference website, Salisbury is the most unhappy city in Maryland.
How The Study Was Conducted
Zippia ranked Maryland cities based on nine criteria, using data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Percentage of college-educated inhabitants, average commuting time, and unemployment rate.
- Cost of Living
- Poverty Rate
- Percentage of married inhabitants.
- The percentage of residents without health insurance
- Average weekly hours worked.
- The percentage of people who are divorced
The survey granted each city a score for each category depending on how it fared against the state average. The higher the score, the gloomier the city. The points were then combined to get the final ranking.
Why is Salisbury the Most Miserable City in Maryland?
Salisbury, on Maryland’s eastern shore, with the highest misery index score of 40 points. The city has a population of around 33,000 and is the biggest in the region. However, it also boasts some of the poorest statistics in the state, including:
- The state average is 39.9%, while just 23.6% of people hold a college degree.
- The average travel time is 21.8 minutes, as opposed to the state average of 19.9 minutes.
- The unemployment rate is 7.1%, whereas the state average is 4.1%.
- The cost of living is 102.3, compared with the state average of 100.
- The poverty rate is 28.6%, whereas the state average is 9.4%.
- The state average is 49.2%, although only 34.9% of inhabitants are married.
- 12.5% of inhabitants lack health insurance, compared to the state average of 6.1%.
- The average number of hours worked per week is 38.4, whereas the state average is 37.6.
- The state average is 10.1%, whereas 14.4% of inhabitants are divorced.
These characteristics show that Salisbury is a city with low educational attainment, considerable economic hardship, low social cohesiveness, and poor health outcomes.
How Salisbury Can Improve Its Situation
Salisbury is not destined to remain unpleasant indefinitely. The city and its citizens may improve their status by taking the following steps:
- Investing in education and training programs to boost workers’ skills and credentials.
- Developing and diversifying the local economy to provide more employment and opportunities.
- Improving public transit to minimize car congestion and pollution.
- Supporting and developing social assistance and safety net initiatives to assist the disadvantaged and needy.
- Promoting and supporting community interaction and civic participation to cultivate a sense of belonging and pride
- Encourage and celebrate the city and region’s cultural and historical legacy.
Summary
In summary, Salisbury, Maryland, stands out as the state’s most miserable city, with issues in education, jobs, economic situations, and general well-being. The report underlines the importance of strategic interventions, such as investments in education, economic diversification, and community-building activities, to benefit Salisbury inhabitants and enhance the city’s overall quality of life.