Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Since the 1980s, the rise of international trade and the significant drop of the manufacturing industry has wreaked havoc on Johnstown and other cities in the Rust Belt. In particular, the city of Johnstown has suffered the most. Thousands of residents have left the town over the years, leaving a large number of derelict buildings in their wake. This community has a median household income of only $24,561, which is less than half the state median, and nearly 40 percent of the population lives below the federal poverty level. Residents claim that “The Friendly City” hasn’t lost any of its friendliness, but the city’s significant drug and crime problems have certainly robbed the city of some of its luster.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Middlesboro, Kentucky
Middlesboro, the largest city in southeast Kentucky, is not a place where you can expect to make even a mediocre living. The average household income in the city is only $25,488, which is less than half of the state’s median household income. More than 40% of Middlesboro residents live below the poverty line, and fewer than one in every ten residents has a bachelor’s degree, according to the city. Eastern Kentucky experienced a significant reduction in coal employment in 2019, — especially after bankrupt energy company Blackjewel was forced to close and checks began to bounce. There have been proposals to expand the tourism industry by utilizing the region’s natural beauty and offering tours of neglected coal mines, but those plans are still several years away from becoming a reality.
Middlesboro, Kentucky