The Omaha Zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo, the Scotts Bluff National Monument, and the Nebraska State Capitol are just a few of the state’s many attractions. But not every area in Nebraska provides its citizens with a high standard of living. Certain cities have few entertainment alternatives, low incomes, bad schools, and high rates of violence.
The worst places to live in each state were determined by 24/7 Wall St. using a weighted index of twenty-two social and economic factors. Scottsbluff, in western Nebraska, is the worst place to live in the state.
The Reasons Scottsbluff Is The Worst Place In Nebraska To Live
In Scotts Bluff County, the city of Scottsbluff is home to 14,887 residents. It is the main city of the Scottsbluff Micropolitan Statistical Area and the biggest city in the panhandle of Nebraska. Scotts Bluff, a well-known sight rising over the North Platte River, is the inspiration behind the city’s name. Originally established as a railroad town in 1900, Scottsbluff developed and became a hub for trade and services serving the neighboring agricultural region.
But Scottsbluff is a bad place to live because of a lot of issues. In 2019, Scottsbluff had 1,049 violent and property offenses per 100,000 population, making it the second most crime-ridden area in Nebraska, according to the FBI.
The average crime rate in the country is 367 per 100,000 people. In addition, the poverty rate in Scottsbluff is high at 18.4% as opposed to the state and national averages of 10.4% and 13.4%, respectively. In Scottsbluff, the median household income is $41,518; this is less than the $63,229 state median and the $62,843 federal median.
In addition, Scottsbluff faces a dearth of employment and educational options. Compared to the state average of 90.2% and the national average of 88.6%, the city’s high school graduation rate is relatively low at 83.7%. In addition, the city’s 19.9% college attainment percentage is lower than both the state’s and the nation’s averages of 31.5% and 32.6%. In comparison to the state average of 3.1% and the national average of 3.7%, Scottsbluff has a higher unemployment rate of 4.1%. In addition, the city’s job growth rate of -0.2% is lower than both the state’s 0.9% and the federal 1.6% averages.
In addition, Scottsbluff lacks recreational and cultural facilities that raise the standard of living. Compared to the state average of $116 and the national average of $227, the city has a low per capita spending on arts, entertainment, and leisure of $67.
In comparison to the state and national averages, the city also has fewer parks, restaurants, bars, libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions per resident. The majority of tasks in the city require a car because it has a low walk score of 38. Additionally, the city’s low bike score of 38 indicates that most trips are not convenient for riding.
Statistical Data:
| Aspect | Scottsbluff Statistics | Comparison |
| Population | 14,887 people live in Scottsbluff, the largest city in the Nebraska Panhandle. | – |
| Crime Rate (2019) | Scottsbluff had 1,049 violent and property offenses per 100,000 residents, making it the second most crime-ridden area in Nebraska. | National average crime rate: 367 per 100,000 residents. |
| Poverty Rate | Scottsbluff’s poverty rate is 18.4%, exceeding both the state (10.4%) and federal (13.4%) norms. | – |
| Household Income | The typical household income in Scottsbluff is $41,518, lower than the federal median of $62,843 and the state median of $63,229. | – |
| Education | Scottsbluff has a high school graduation rate of 83.7%, lower than the state (90.2%) and national (88.6%) averages. College attainment rate is 19.9%, below the state (31.5%) and national (32.6%) averages. | – |
| Unemployment Rate | Scottsbluff’s unemployment rate is 4.1%, higher than the state average of 3.1% and the national average of 3.7%. | – |
| Job Growth Rate | The city’s job growth rate is -0.2%, less than the federal average of 1.6% and the state average of 0.9%. | – |
| Per Capita Spending | Scottsbluff spends $67 per capita on arts, entertainment, and recreation, lower than the state average of $116 and the national average of $227. | – |
| Cultural Amenities | Scottsbluff has fewer parks, eateries, pubs, libraries, museums, and cultural institutions per inhabitant compared to state and national norms. | Walk Score: 38 (Most chores require a car). Bike Score: 38 (Biking is not convenient for most trips). |
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Conclusion
In addition, Scottsbluff lacks recreational and cultural facilities that raise the standard of living. Compared to the state average of $116 and the national average of $227, the city has a low per capita spending on arts, entertainment, and leisure of $67.
In comparison to the state and national averages, the city also has fewer parks, restaurants, bars, libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions per resident. The majority of tasks in the city require a car because it has a low walk score of 38. Additionally, the city’s low bike score of 38 indicates that most trips are not convenient for riding.