The 10 Worst Counties In The United States For 2024


The worst counties in the US are Todd County, SD and Starr County, TX for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Worst Counties In The United States Map

You might think people across the nation love where they live. After all, you wouldn’t spend your life somewhere you truly didn’t love. Right?

Wrong.

In fact, almost half of Americans would rather live somewhere else than they do now. If you’re in one of the counties we’re about to highlight, we don’t blame you for wanting to move.

After analyzing all 3,125 counties in the United States using Saturday Night Science, we came up with this set of the ten worst counties in our nation with a population over 100,000. It turns out Todd County, SD is the worst county to live in the country:


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


The purpose of this study is to use science to determine which of our great American counties are the absolute worst. While unbiased, this research does take into account factors that almost all Americans would agree are undesirable.

Unfortunately for the South, things aren’t very charming.

Check out more about America here:

The 10 Worst Counties To Live In The United States For 2024

Population: 9,353
Biggest City: Rosebud
Median Income: $33,792
Median Home Value: $54,094
Unemployment Rate: 15.1%

Rio Grande City, TX

Source: Wikipedia User Mpinedag | CC BY-SA 4.0

Population: 65,716
Biggest City: Rio Grande City
Median Income: $35,979
Median Home Value: $108,847
Unemployment Rate: 11.5%

Review Of by Matthew.A 21

I live in the Rio Grande City and i have a lot of good memories there. Im pretty sure you’d know if you’d come to texas.

Review

Population: 3,329
Biggest City: Fort Hancock
Median Income: $35,163
Median Home Value: $71,972
Unemployment Rate: 8.2%

Population: 6,113
Biggest City: Marks
Median Income: $31,192
Median Home Value: $75,880
Unemployment Rate: 12.2%

Montezuma, GA

Source: Wikipedia User Michael Rivera | CC BY-SA 4.0

Population: 12,099
Biggest City: Montezuma
Median Income: $33,960
Median Home Value: $92,219
Unemployment Rate: 9.2%

Belzoni, MS

Source: Wikipedia User Southern Foodways Alliance | CC BY 2.0

Population: 7,744
Biggest City: Belzoni
Median Income: $31,907
Median Home Value: $81,969
Unemployment Rate: 13.7%

Population: 1,989
Biggest City: White River
Median Income: $41,397
Median Home Value: $81,075
Unemployment Rate: 16.5%

Population: 13,896
Biggest City: Zapata
Median Income: $35,061
Median Home Value: $116,418
Unemployment Rate: 8.1%

Raymondville, TX

Source: Public domain

Population: 20,308
Biggest City: Raymondville
Median Income: $42,839
Median Home Value: $95,542
Unemployment Rate: 8.7%

Rolling Fork, MS

Source: Wikipedia User Natalie Maynor | CC BY 2.0

Population: 3,910
Biggest City: Rolling Fork
Median Income: $41,000
Median Home Value: $89,344
Unemployment Rate: 12.8%

How We Determined The Worst Counties In The US

To rank the worst counties in America, we had to determine what criteria is normally associated with a bad place to live. Things like low prices indicate that demand is low and high unemployment rates mean finding a job is hard.

So, we used Saturday Night Science to research Census data. The following is the criteria we used:

  • High Poverty Rates
  • Highest Unemployment Rates
  • Low Median Income
  • Low Housing Costs
  • High Drop Out Rates Among Adults
  • Low Insurance Rates

We limited the analysis to counties with at least 100,000 people and then ranked each of remaining counties on each of the criteria. We then averaged those rankings together to create a “Quality Of Life Index.” The counties with the worst Quality Of Life Index ranked as the worst counties in the United States for 2024.

We updated this report for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the worst counties in America. This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment — don’t freak out.

There You Have It — The Worst Counties In The US

About half of Americans consider moving, challenging the assumption of a solid attachment to their current homes. Using Saturday Night Science, we identified the ten worst U.S. counties, including Todd County, SD.

The worst counties in the US are Todd County, SD, Starr County, TX, Hudspeth County, TX, Quitman County, MS, Macon County, GA, Humphreys County, MS, Mellette County, SD, Zapata County, TX, Willacy County, TX, and Sharkey County, MS.

We based the analysis on undesirable factors like high poverty, unemployment, low median income, housing costs, adult dropout rates, and low insurance rates. The study focused on counties with over 100,000 people and utilized census data to create a precise Quality of Life Index.

Here’s a look at the best counties in America according to the data:

  1. Los Alamos County
  2. Williamson County
  3. Poquoson City

The Worst Counties To Live In The United States

Rank County Biggest City Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income
1 Todd County, SD Rosebud 9,353 15.1% $54,094 $33,792
2 Starr County, TX Rio Grande City 65,716 11.5% $108,847 $35,979
3 Hudspeth County, TX Fort Hancock 3,329 8.2% $71,972 $35,163
4 Quitman County, MS Marks 6,113 12.2% $75,880 $31,192
5 Macon County, GA Montezuma 12,099 9.2% $92,219 $33,960
6 Humphreys County, MS Belzoni 7,744 13.7% $81,969 $31,907
7 Mellette County, SD White River 1,989 16.5% $81,075 $41,397
8 Zapata County, TX Zapata 13,896 8.1% $116,418 $35,061
9 Willacy County, TX Raymondville 20,308 8.7% $95,542 $42,839
10 Sharkey County, MS Rolling Fork 3,910 12.8% $89,344 $41,000
11 Dawson County, TX Lamesa 12,342 9.5% $86,931 $45,268
12 Cochran County, TX Morton 2,529 7.1% $61,761 $41,597
13 Tallahatchie County, MS Charleston 12,621 11.0% $93,174 $35,428
14 Claiborne County, MS Port Gibson 9,044 9.0% $90,328 $34,282
15 Treutlen County, GA Soperton 6,411 10.9% $108,622 $38,641
16 Coahoma County, MS Clarksdale 21,264 10.8% $50,013 $36,075
17 Lake County, TN Tiptonville 6,898 7.0% $87,204 $32,064
18 Washington County, MS Greenville 44,604 9.5% $70,423 $38,394
19 Leflore County, MS Greenwood 27,920 11.8% $78,155 $33,115
20 Yazoo County, MS Yazoo City 27,467 10.4% $94,700 $41,867
21 Allendale County, SC Allendale 8,073 13.5% $63,614 $37,096
22 Sioux County, ND Cannon Ball 3,896 20.7% $104,945 $41,201
23 Calhoun County, GA Morgan 5,594 11.4% $81,863 $48,663
24 Bamberg County, SC Denmark 13,311 11.0% $83,460 $43,920
25 Webster County, GA Webster County Unified Government 2,354 8.9% $124,181 $35,000
26 Dillon County, SC Dillon 28,255 7.2% $89,042 $42,454
27 Marlboro County, SC Bennettsville 26,585 7.8% $82,122 $34,275
28 Buffalo County, SD Fort Thompson 1,859 14.9% $138,643 $42,917
29 Noxubee County, MS Macon 10,261 9.3% $93,664 $42,298
30 Holmes County, MS Tchula 16,848 8.8% $63,005 $28,818
31 Presidio County, TX Presidio 6,168 12.3% $185,506 $29,012
32 Sunflower County, MS Indianola 25,867 11.1% $98,983 $37,403
33 Terrell County, GA Dawson 9,004 8.7% $98,144 $43,507
34 Duval County, TX San Diego 9,960 8.4% $71,394 $50,697
35 Wheeler County, GA Alamo 7,550 6.4% $123,492 $36,354
36 Menard County, TX Menard 1,964 14.3% $149,618 $40,945
37 Issaquena County, MS Mayersville 1,206 12.1% $111,562 $17,900
38 Casey County, KY Liberty 15,942 10.4% $116,664 $42,190
39 Culberson County, TX Van Horn 2,181 10.1% $114,922 $35,924
40 Pemiscot County, MO Caruthersville 15,555 9.6% $93,182 $37,426
41 Jackson County, SD Wanblee 2,838 7.4% $109,912 $26,078
42 Tunica County, MS Tunica Resorts 9,787 12.2% $108,830 $41,676
43 Hall County, TX Memphis 2,847 7.5% $68,435 $43,873
44 Kemper County, MS De Kalb 8,980 14.1% $123,374 $42,947
45 Mitchell County, GA Camilla 21,634 9.5% $129,514 $45,966
46 Bolivar County, MS Cleveland 30,688 7.4% $128,378 $37,845
47 Newton County, TX Newton 12,333 10.6% $151,121 $38,871
48 Swisher County, TX Tulia 6,989 5.2% $87,510 $40,290
49 Chicot County, AR Dermott 10,234 10.9% $79,970 $36,593
50 Wayne County, MS Waynesboro 19,760 8.7% $135,700 $34,875
51 Randolph County, GA Cuthbert 6,365 7.5% $90,535 $24,638
52 Emanuel County, GA Swainsboro 22,907 8.9% $110,600 $47,905
53 Seminole County, OK Seminole 23,592 7.2% $100,697 $43,239
54 Corson County, SD Mclaughlin 3,906 24.6% $119,173 $48,125
55 Madison Parish, LA Tallulah 10,028 5.8% $68,554 $34,508
56 Evangeline Parish, LA Ville Platte 32,335 14.0% $112,452 $34,526
57 Lawrence County, MS Monticello 11,933 12.0% $118,070 $41,096
58 Pushmataha County, OK Antlers 10,845 9.0% $126,595 $42,274
59 Wayne County, MO Piedmont 11,081 8.3% $113,898 $42,758
60 Lee County, VA Pennington Gap 22,287 8.1% $90,760 $41,619
61 Marion County, MS Columbia 24,362 9.5% $125,790 $38,399
62 Quitman County, GA Georgetown-Quitman County Unified Government 2,180 23.5% $121,909 $38,889
63 Pike County, MS Mccomb 40,098 7.2% $100,926 $40,131
64 Turner County, GA Ashburn 8,894 7.0% $115,002 $39,666
65 San Augustine County, TX San Augustine 7,920 10.3% $152,950 $45,888
66 Marion County, SC Marion 29,212 6.8% $80,421 $35,972
67 Baker County, GA Newton 2,878 12.2% $104,019 $45,417
68 Robeson County, NC Lumberton 117,573 6.4% $127,047 $39,393
69 Union County, SC Union 27,158 10.2% $103,550 $42,305
70 Crisp County, GA Cordele 20,255 8.2% $124,684 $47,463
71 Dimmit County, TX Carrizo Springs 8,672 4.7% $104,605 $27,374
72 Halifax County, NC Roanoke Rapids 48,772 9.3% $84,518 $41,629
73 Montgomery County, MS Winona 9,803 7.8% $99,995 $36,845
74 Dougherty County, GA Albany 85,038 10.0% $115,904 $45,640
75 Dunklin County, MO Kennett 28,174 5.7% $79,724 $44,868
76 Colquitt County, GA Moultrie 45,813 6.1% $124,310 $47,235
77 Atkinson County, GA Pearson 8,265 4.6% $100,744 $38,007
78 Scotland County, NC Laurinburg 34,222 10.8% $129,675 $41,948
79 Macon County, AL Tuskegee 19,198 12.5% $89,781 $41,206
80 Adams County, MS Natchez 29,425 7.1% $117,979 $37,271
81 Mcdowell County, WV Welch 18,911 15.1% $29,596 $28,235
82 Desoto County, FL Southeast Arcadia 34,258 9.7% $187,577 $45,000
83 Tensas Parish, LA Newellton 4,127 12.4% $111,286 $35,653
84 Jim Hogg County, TX Hebbronville 4,830 4.5% $77,756 $42,292
85 Jefferson Davis County, MS Prentiss 11,291 9.2% $91,069 $36,473
86 Stewart County, GA Richland 5,121 5.1% $59,072 $43,094
87 Monroe County, AR Brinkley 6,787 11.0% $72,006 $41,786
88 Dewey County, SD North Eagle Butte 5,275 14.6% $99,908 $55,077
89 Mingo County, WV Williamson 23,466 11.2% $61,108 $38,305
90 Bertie County, NC Windsor 17,818 6.4% $55,749 $41,652
91 St. Helena Parish, LA Greensburg 10,872 21.5% $105,234 $46,402
92 Hidalgo County, TX Mcallen 873,167 7.6% $180,070 $49,371
93 Taylor County, GA Butler 7,799 6.6% $131,504 $40,727
94 Hancock County, TN Sneedville 6,726 10.1% $164,774 $31,809
95 Johnson County, GA Wrightsville 9,225 8.3% $114,072 $47,796
96 Irwin County, GA Fitzgerald 9,487 6.2% $118,845 $46,383
97 Wilcox County, AL Camden 10,441 10.7% $133,582 $38,208
98 Lee County, SC Bishopville 16,557 9.2% $135,762 $39,099
99 Hughes County, OK Holdenville 13,409 6.3% $92,011 $44,799
100 Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK Galena 5,355 11.1% $95,193 $47,826

Worst Counties Places By State

About Nick Johnson

Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. He has written for 39 publications across the country and ran the media relations department at Movoto, a real estate portal based in San Francisco. He has been featured in over 500 publications as an expert in real estate and as an authority on real estate trends.

Nick's the creator of the HomeSnacks YouTube channel that now has over 260,000 subscribers and is an excellent source to learn about different parts of the country.

3 thoughts on “The 10 Worst Counties In The United States For 2024

  1. Oh good, Tillman County is worse off than Jackson County, Oklahoma….whew! Nick James, you sure did produce a polished gem of journalism. Obviously you have a beef with my home state. Where are you from anyway? You must be one of the lucky ones.

  2. You might want to rethink the criteria for evaluating worst counties. Anne Arundel County in Maryland is absolutely lousy, especially relative to the outrageous cost-of-living, taxes which are ever increasing and are wasted on idiocies, senseless over-development, and an absolute lack of any law enforcement relative to traffic laws, i.e. speeding, tail-gating, and the new hideous phenomenon of souped-up cars which make a din day and night. Repeated e-mails and phone calls to state senators and delegates as well as county officials are of absolutely no avail. If you want to pay a lot of taxes and have a very LOW quality of life, then come to Maryland in general and Anne Arundel County in particular. It is “Dukes of Hazard” country with near New York prices, but none of the cute girls in Daisy Duke shorts. Be sure to bring your noise-making grocery-runner vehicle so that you can fit in with the many knuckle draggers here. You, too, can experience the nightmare! Halloween very day! You’ll only get a run-around from the so-called government here, it is hapless and hopeless. Both political parties suck!

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