The 10 Worst Places to Live in Tennessee
When choosing a place to live, most people prefer to live somewhere ranked as one of the best locations, and they will avoid the worst places in the area. In most cases, the worst areas are ranked according to factors such as crime rates in the area, poverty levels, unemployment, and a lack of amenities in the area. Based on these factors, here are some of the worst places to live in Tennessee.
10. Memphis
Memphis makes it into the ten worst places to live in Tennessee as its high crime rates mean it is the most dangerous place to live in the state, says Only in Your State. It is especially bad for violent crimes, as there were 1,091 violent crimes reported per 100,000 people in 2019. The violent crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, and the city has the highest murder rate in the state. However, there are some upsides to Memphis, as it has plenty of amenities and leisure activities.
9. Rockwood
Rockwood is a city in Roane County that has experienced many problems in recent years, and many of these issues are getting worse. Property crimes are high, with one in 17 residents running the risk of becoming a victim.
Unemployment rates are also high at 8.7 percent, while the median household income is low. The median home value is just $81,100, the third-lowest property prices in the state, which is a clear indicator that this is not a desirable place to live. The population of this small city is just 5,419.
8. Covington
If getting a good education for your kids is a priority when choosing a place to live, then Covington is not the place for you. Due to underfunding, the performance of schools in this area is poor.
Just down the road from Ripley, Covington shares many of the same issues, as both crime and unemployment rates are above average, which makes it an undesirable place in which to live. Many of the residents of this city live below the poverty line, and the low property prices reflect the low incomes of those living in the area.
7. Dunlap
Dunlap, which is home to just over 5,000 people, is not the best option for families. The schools in this area are underfunded compared to schools in other parts of Tennessee, and this reflects in the performance of the schools, which are below average.
There is also a lack of family-oriented activities to enjoy in this area. Both the median household salaries and the median property prices in the area are low. Although Dunlap is only a small city, the property crime rates are surprisingly high, and there is a one in 21.3 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime if you live in this city.
6. Sweetwater
Sweetwater is a poor choice of location to live in Tennessee due to the high unemployment and crime rates. However, the area has seen some improvements regarding both issues over the last year.
On the other hand, it remains an undesirable place to live, which is reflected in low property prices. Many people living in this city are living below the poverty line, as the median household income for families is one of the lowest in Tennessee.
5. Morristown
Morristown is another area to avoid if you want to live in a nice place. Located in Hamblen County, Morristown is home to just under 30,000 residents. It has the 17th highest unemployment rate in Tennessee, which may contribute to the area's high crime rates.
Property crimes are particularly high, and residents of Morristown have a one in 21.3 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. The lack of employment opportunities and poor safety levels are big deterrents for people looking for a new location to call home.
4. Savannah
Savannah is the county seat of Hardin County, and it is home to fewer than 7,000 residents. There are several reasons why this city ranks as the fourth worst place to live in Tennessee. First, the unemployment rate is high, at 11.5 percent.
Second, the median household income is barely above $35,000, which means that many people are living below the poverty line in this city. Finally, Savannah is the seventh most dangerous place to live in the state, as both property crimes and violent crimes are high.
3. Millington
Not only is there an unemployment rate of nine percent in Millington, but it also has one of the lowest median household incomes in Tennessee. Property prices are low due to the area’s lack of desirability, and the crime rates are the 12th worst in the state.
Furthermore, there are very few things for people in Millington to enjoy without traveling to another city. Millington is in Shelby County, and it has a population of just over 10,000 people.
2. Lawrenceburg
Lawrenceburg is a fairly isolated town close to the Alabama state line, and it has a lot of issues. It has a poor economy, underfunded schools, a low median household income, and a high unemployment rate. Also, the median property price is just $87,600, and crime rates are increasing. Overall, there is not a lot to attract new residents to this small city, which has a population of 10,684 residents.
1. Ripley
According to Road Snacks, the worst place to live in Tennessee is Ripley. The main reason that it ranks at the top of the list is that the city is the unemployment capital of the state.
Approximately one in 8.4 people living in Ripley is unemployed, and working families have a median combined household income of only $31,209 a year. Property crimes are also high in this area, and residents have a one in 26 chance of becoming a victim of property crime.
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Written by Dana Hanson
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