Parker, South Carolina
This tiny town is feeling the effects of Greenville County’s rapid population growth, which is particularly noticeable. Real estate prices in the area are rising, and while the economic boom has brought employment and wealth to some, wages for the poorer residents of Parker have remained stagnant. Despite the fact that the median household income in Parker remains around $34,000, the effects of gentrification are making it much more difficult to afford the necessities of life. According to a study conducted by the United Way of Greenville County, nearly half of the renters in the Parker-Westcliffe neighborhood spent more than 35 percent of their income on rent. Back in 1990, less than 15 percent of renters spent that much money on their rental property.
Parker, South Carolina
Camden, New Jersey
One of the poorest areas in the country, Camden has a violent history, corruption, and the use of illegal substances like marijuana. As a result of the city’s poor reputation, an ex-resident paid for a billboard in 2012 urging people to “Say something nice about Camden.” To be honest, saying it is easier than actually doing it! With its unemployment rate more than double that of the state, and nearly 37 percent of the population living below the poverty line, Camden has lost its prominence as a major manufacturing center — it once housed RCA Victor, Campbell’s Soup, and a major shipbuilder — This city has a median household income of just $27,015. Despite the fact that Camden has twice the population of Paterson, Camden police reported 1,159 violent crimes in 2019. This is roughly equal to the number of violent crimes reported by the New Jersey city of Paterson in 2019.
Camden, New Jersey