Franklin, Virginia
The economy of this small town in the Coastal Plain of Virginia is heavily reliant on agriculture and manufacturing to stay afloat. Franklin, like Bastrop in Louisiana, was hit hard by the closure of an International Paper mill in the area in 2009, which resulted in the layoff of over 1,000 workers. At the time of the report, the company employed nearly 4% of the workforce in Franklin and the surrounding counties, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Even though Franklin’s median household income is not abysmal, at just over $40,000, the city’s unemployment rate is three times higher than the state average.
Franklin, Virginia
East St. Louis, Illinois
According to various surveys, East St. Louis appears to be making headlines for all the wrong reasons, as it is consistently ranked among the most dangerous places in the country. In 2019, you had a 27-fold higher chance of being murdered in this city than the national average. East St. Louis’ economic situation, like that of several other city areas on this list, is similar to that of the others. It is still trying to reclaim its footing after losing a large number of businesses and residents during the decline of the 1960s and 1970s. Nearly 40% of East St. Louis residents live in poverty, with an average household income of 24,343 dollars.
East St. Louis, Illinois
