Bangor, Maine
Bangor was once known as the “lumber capital of the world,” but according to the city administration, it has successfully redefined itself and is now considered a significant commercial center for retail and service businesses in Maine. Even though the new economy has begun to recover from the Great Recession of 2007–2009, it has yet to reach its full potential. According to the Bangor Daily News, more than a fifth of Bangor residents live in poverty, and despite the city having Maine’s third-largest school district, more than half of the students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The area’s median household income is $46,625. (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.)
Altamont, Oregon
This census-designated place was named after a famous racehorse, according to legend, and it currently lags far behind the rest of the country. Altamont is one of only three communities in Oregon where incomes are actually declining, according to OregonLive. Between 2010 and 2018, wages in Newport and St. Helens fell by a combined 5%, making them the only cities to do so. The median household income in this area is close to $47,000, compared to $63,000 for the entire state. According to the census, home values are half of the state median value, and one-fifth of the population lives in poverty.
Altamont, Oregon
