The 10 Worst Small Towns In Pennsylvania For 2024


The worst small towns in Pennsylvania are Renovo and Mount Union for 2024 based on Friday Night Science.

Most Americans have never been to small town Pennsylvania. However, as the Pennsylvanian who live there know, small town Pennsylvania is an awesome place to call home.

But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Pennsylvania has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using Saturday Night Science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Keystone State. Don’t freak out, we will use data to show which places have high crime, poverty, and unemployment.

After analyzing more than 693 of Pennsylvania’s smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in Pennsylvania where you’d never want to live:


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


These are the worst small towns in Pennsylvania for 2024:

  1. Renovo
  2. Mount Union
  3. Shenandoah
  4. Woodland Heights
  5. Reynoldsville
  6. Nesquehoning
  7. Westfield
  8. Rankin
  9. Girardville
  10. Mahanoy City

Worst Small Towns To Live In Pennsylvania Map

So what is the worst small town to call home in Pennsylvania for 2024? According to the most recent census data, Renovo is the worst small town to live in Pennsylvania.

While many of these small towns have seen better days, they have wonderful communities and people. This report in no way means to knock the folks that call towns like Renovo home. Everyone

Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers, or scroll to the bottom to see how your town ranked.

And if you already know about the small towns, check out the best places to live in Pennsylvania or the worst places to live in Pennsylvania.

If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.

The 10 Worst Small Towns In Pennsylvania For 2024

1. Renovo

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,081
Median Home Value: $56,415
Median Income: $28,750
Unemployment Rate: 15.0%

2. Mount Union

Mount Union, PA

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 2,130
Median Home Value: $107,987
Median Income: $38,382
Unemployment Rate: 14.0%

3. Shenandoah

Shenandoah, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Shuvaev | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 4,288
Median Home Value: $38,565
Median Income: $40,435
Unemployment Rate: 11.8%

4. Woodland Heights

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,326
Median Home Value: $153,204
Median Income: $50,526
Unemployment Rate: 22.6%

5. Reynoldsville

Reynoldsville, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Doug Kerr | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,551
Median Home Value: $97,870
Median Income: $43,797
Unemployment Rate: 9.7%

6. Nesquehoning

Nesquehoning, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Hshuvaeva | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 3,341
Median Home Value: $181,289
Median Income: $51,213
Unemployment Rate: 14.8%

7. Westfield

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,258
Median Home Value: $98,164
Median Income: $44,500
Unemployment Rate: 6.1%

8. Rankin

Rankin, PA

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,837
Median Home Value: $92,717
Median Income: $29,107
Unemployment Rate: 18.2%

9. Girardville

Overall SnackAbility

3
/10

Population: 1,260
Median Home Value: $32,965
Median Income: $45,139
Unemployment Rate: 8.7%

10. Mahanoy City

Mahanoy City, PA

Source: Wikipedia User Doug Kerr | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,548
Median Home Value: $36,140
Median Income: $37,440
Unemployment Rate: 13.7%

Methodology: How do you decide if a small place in Pennsylvania is lousy or not?

To rank the worst small towns to live in Pennsylvania, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. Assuming that people like low crime, solid education, things to do, and a stable economy isn’t a stretch.

We then analyzed the criteria using Saturday Night Science, the thinking you’d use at a bar. It seems like even your crazy Uncle would agree that a town with high crime is worse than a town with low crime; all else the same.

Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (The lower, the worse)
  • Highest Unemployment Rates
  • Low housing costs (meaning there’s no demand)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
  • Education (Number of high school dropouts)
  • High Crime

We looked at cities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000 people, of which there were many – 693 to be exact.

We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets them from the cities. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.

We base all our research on facts, which is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024, which is our tenth time ranking the worst small places to live in Pennsylvania.

There You Have It – The Worst Small Towns In Pennsylvania

If you’re analyzing teeny places in the Keystone State with the worst economic situations, where there’s high crime and there’s not a lot to do, this is an accurate list.

The worst small towns in Pennsylvania are Renovo, Mount Union, Shenandoah, Woodland Heights, Reynoldsville, Nesquehoning, Westfield, Rankin, Girardville, and Mahanoy City.

If you’re curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in Pennsylvania, according to science:

  1. Aspinwall (Pop. 2,890)
  2. Colony Park (Pop. 1,044)
  3. Ne (Pop. 2,169)

For more Pennsylvania reading, check out:

Worst Small Towns In Pennsylvania

Rank Town Population Unemployment Rate Home Value Median Income
1 Renovo 1,081 15.0% $56,415 $28,750
2 Mount Union 2,130 14.0% $107,987 $38,382
3 Shenandoah 4,288 11.8% $38,565 $40,435
4 Woodland Heights 1,326 22.6% $153,204 $50,526
5 Reynoldsville 2,551 9.7% $97,870 $43,797
6 Nesquehoning 3,341 14.8% $181,289 $51,213
7 Westfield 1,258 6.1% $98,164 $44,500
8 Rankin 1,837 18.2% $92,717 $29,107
9 Girardville 1,260 8.7% $32,965 $45,139
10 Mahanoy City 3,548 13.7% $36,140 $37,440
11 Brownsville 2,422 6.8% $66,388 $28,657
12 Lansford 4,129 19.6% $77,414 $43,045
13 East Uniontown 2,243 9.4% $116,776 $44,320
14 Mount Oliver 3,357 10.1% $77,775 $35,640
15 Marienville 3,191 7.8% $124,606 $43,403
16 Collinsburg 1,065 8.5% $140,948 $56,176
17 Honesdale 4,469 9.4% $268,251 $34,700
18 Knox 1,063 11.5% $137,657 $51,023
19 Hyde 1,048 5.1% $111,555 $50,550
20 Glen Lyon 1,958 0.0% $95,769 $32,746
21 Point Marion 1,276 5.8% $87,255 $47,500
22 Bentleyville 2,409 4.8% $147,852 $53,152
23 Homestead 2,905 9.9% $63,440 $29,306
24 Canton 1,791 6.0% $138,905 $41,000
25 North Braddock 4,320 16.3% $60,033 $39,885
26 North Warren 1,922 7.6% $118,818 $53,295
27 Fairchance 1,657 7.4% $128,531 $37,232
28 Montrose 1,396 8.0% $213,634 $50,250
29 Falls Creek 1,037 8.9% $113,028 $50,000
30 Donora 4,561 12.7% $42,791 $42,651
31 Susquehanna Depot 1,395 9.6% $97,029 $54,911
32 Colwyn 2,849 23.1% $99,866 $51,188
33 Midland 2,658 11.2% $100,223 $61,083
34 Dravosburg 1,614 6.9% $94,121 $43,208
35 Union City 2,937 7.5% $134,468 $41,764
36 South Connellsville 1,884 3.6% $94,873 $46,500
37 Lemont Furnace 1,034 4.3% $78,191 $46,250
38 Farrell 4,280 7.4% $57,375 $29,063
39 Waterford 1,244 9.2% $172,724 $48,393
40 Arnold 4,778 13.9% $70,397 $38,150
41 Braddock 1,814 29.4% $46,686 $27,212
42 Gallitzin 1,530 7.0% $96,121 $52,500
43 Lykens 1,631 5.2% $126,989 $67,768
44 Emporium 1,988 10.1% $74,489 $34,387
45 Bowman 1,140 16.1% $181,803 $51,544
46 Cambridge Springs 2,297 6.3% $164,890 $52,109
47 Ashley 2,612 7.6% $124,139 $39,234
48 Sugarcreek 4,785 5.1% $109,967 $52,153
49 Republic 1,324 14.5% $49,108 $52,610
50 Pocono Ranch Lands 1,218 23.3% $181,916 $90,692
51 Mcadoo 2,583 6.0% $127,596 $43,538
52 Glassport 4,439 9.9% $73,379 $49,345
53 Pitcairn 3,084 12.0% $78,362 $35,829
54 Wilmerding 1,834 13.2% $56,546 $36,161
55 West Mayfield 1,270 8.9% $140,040 $52,017
56 Nanty-Glo 2,434 4.8% $86,816 $39,242
57 Windsor 1,330 8.2% $252,020 $57,411
58 Northern Cambria 3,548 5.3% $78,523 $49,750
59 Coaldale Borough (Schuylkill County) 2,314 7.7% $63,892 $54,139
60 Shippensburg University 1,924 16.5% $0 $20,833
61 The Hideout 2,069 6.8% $184,867 $52,854
62 Maso 3,263 9.5% $128,238 $52,692
63 Rochester 3,460 5.9% $105,881 $40,009
64 Paint 1,122 11.0% $105,654 $44,028
65 Milroy 1,556 5.6% $168,116 $60,875
66 Ridgway 4,014 6.4% $95,440 $50,658
67 Eddystone 2,170 9.8% $126,081 $53,355
68 Everett 2,154 6.6% $189,785 $37,708
69 Marcus Hook 2,290 9.4% $285,109 $47,594
70 Edgewood 2,225 8.8% $84,886 $40,550
71 Troy 1,431 1.1% $162,851 $47,992
72 New Beaver 1,307 5.0% $109,172 $58,264
73 Sandy 1,086 0.0% $148,211 $50,093
74 Minersville 4,377 2.7% $76,363 $49,555
75 North York 2,374 11.3% $136,976 $62,292
76 Mcconnellsburg 1,056 13.2% $197,203 $33,458
77 Monongahela 4,147 7.8% $145,207 $50,000
78 Waymart 1,226 6.0% $273,954 $50,568
79 Hiller 1,296 11.7% $66,224 $88,984
80 Mercer 1,950 5.7% $219,443 $47,250
81 New Eagle 2,164 14.1% $116,584 $50,158
82 Clymer 1,109 5.3% $102,010 $45,750
83 Curwensville 2,559 9.0% $124,030 $46,726
84 Hallstead 1,345 5.6% $171,020 $47,125
85 South Coatesville 1,751 8.7% $268,392 $63,438
86 Fairview-Ferndale 1,837 5.7% $75,013 $37,163
87 Biglerville 1,213 10.0% $270,708 $49,634
88 Pleasant Hill 3,263 19.7% $165,234 $58,366
89 Whitaker 1,232 11.4% $104,985 $59,242
90 Forest City 1,612 8.5% $168,675 $55,694
91 Wesleyville 3,209 7.8% $109,513 $44,417
92 Inkerman 1,304 5.7% $0 $39,324
93 Ashland 2,493 6.0% $96,517 $62,854
94 Kane 3,605 7.9% $94,814 $45,481
95 Mansfield 3,024 6.4% $224,939 $40,565
96 Weatherly 2,544 7.8% $203,405 $56,094
97 New Philadelphia 1,052 3.4% $80,955 $49,375
98 Rimersburg 1,078 0.0% $84,546 $46,964
99 Mcclure 1,171 2.7% $181,960 $62,667
100 Clarion 4,205 10.2% $163,872 $43,178
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.

13 thoughts on “The 10 Worst Small Towns In Pennsylvania For 2024

  1. This dude’s obviously retarded. I wonder if you decided that mathematical statistics was a great factor to use when having such a small place like Alba. I lived there and after living across the nation, I’d go back. Guess it’s just a small town feeling that people like this garbage-ass blogger will never understand.

  2. I live near springboro and this article is spot on. Except for many of the people do have jobs, only it’s illegal and called meth labs.

  3. I like Knoxville, where my Mom was born & raised, she grew up there. Also had lots of other family that lived there too. She liked growing up there. But as time went on, family moved away or passed away. Now my Mom’s buried there, same Cemetery with her family that already passed, also friends.

  4. Seriously if you knew that Allenport is actually part of several other areas out there, that are worth living in. I live in Charleroi, PA, which is 4.2 miles from Allenport, then you haven’t been in the Mid Mon Valley, and don’t know jack about this area. Get your facts straight

  5. Scranton PA ,,,,, Born and raised there ,,,, 1940 thru 1999 ,,, moved in 99 have been back just a few weeks ago ,, would never move back there …. It should be listed as the worst city to live in !!! It is so RUN DOWN ,,, The streets ,,, the homes ,, it is a MESS !!!!!!

  6. Marianna is not 45 minutes from Washington. 20 to 25 depending on where your going. Lived in Marianna for 17 years. My family is still there. And Washington isn’t the closest town, Waynesburg is only 15 minutes.
    If he got that wrong, what else did he get wrong?

  7. This blogger has a stick up his ass for small towns. Blogger probably looked at a bunch of statistics and thought he/she should just shit all over these places because why not. My point here is blogger is an asshole.

  8. Christ, I have to drive through Westover every day, that’s bad enough, I couldn’t imagine living there, maybe if I had a hot cousin or something tho….

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