Rawlins, Wyoming
The demand for fossil fuels is dwindling, and many believe Wyoming’s ability to rely on its fossil fuel reserves may be nearing its conclusion. This city in the middle of Carbon County is feeling the effects of the recession, which has led to its inclusion on the 24/7 Wall St. list. Rawlins’ financial figures are not significantly different from those of the rest of the state. Wyoming’s median household income is $64,336, which is only slightly higher than the state’s overall median household income. Wyoming is the nation’s leading coal producer, but the majority of the coal mined in the state comes from the Powder River Basin in the state’s northernmost region. Despite the fact that southern Wyoming contains billions of tons of coal buried deep beneath the earth’s surface, mining companies have determined that it is too expensive to mine at this time. Aside from the industrial issues, some residents find the small town charming, while others complain about the lack of recreational opportunities.
Rawlins, Wyoming
Barre, Vermont
It is important to note that this Vermont city — not to be confused with the nearby Barre Town — is widely acknowledged for its granite quarries, but it is also becoming increasingly known for its drug problem. On the day of a public forum in 2018, the state’s attorney for Washington County stated that the city is experiencing a “drug epidemic,” and that crack cocaine as well as other illegal drugs are just as prevalent as opiates. In addition, there were 64 violent crimes and 203 property crimes in Barre in 2019, which are both high numbers considering the town’s population of 8,500 people, according to the FBI. It is estimated that more than a quarter of the population lives in poverty in Barre, with a median household income of a little over $38,000.
Barre, Vermont