Instead of relying on public opinion and speculation, we wanted to get the facts straight and dig into the data to determine which neighborhoods in the United States are the worst.
If you’re in one of the places we’re about to highlight, odds are you know you’ve got yourself a problem area.
Turns out the Shelby Forest-Frayser neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee is the worst place where you can live in the United States based on Saturday Night Science. The best? Battery Park in New York.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The Worst Neighborhoods In The United States For 2023
Almost every single neighborhood on this list is in the Midwest, and most are in Tennessee. We had figured most would be in the Deep South.
Check out more about America here:
- Best Cities In The US To Raise A Family
- Most Affordable States In The United States
- Most Dangerous States In The United States
The 10 Worst Neighborhoods To Live In America For 2023
/10
Population: 34,345
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 3,014
Property Crime Per 100k: 6,014
Median Home Value: $63,796
Median Income: $30,093
/10
Population: 26,331
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,199
Property Crime Per 100k: 6,368
Median Home Value: $113,358
Median Income: $33,773
/10
Population: 38,591
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 3,415
Property Crime Per 100k: 7,117
Median Home Value: $74,096
Median Income: $37,738
/10
Population: 87,467
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,592
Property Crime Per 100k: 5,887
Median Home Value: $78,449
Median Income: $39,603
/10
Population: 48,022
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 3,800
Property Crime Per 100k: 7,671
Median Home Value: $112,443
Median Income: $30,027
/10
Population: 129,659
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,079
Property Crime Per 100k: 4,631
Median Home Value: $66,156
Median Income: $32,777
/10
Population: 59,742
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,455
Property Crime Per 100k: 5,698
Median Home Value: $52,586
Median Income: $30,316
/10
Population: 18,002
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,438
Property Crime Per 100k: 4,135
Median Home Value: $41,953
Median Income: $34,153
/10
Population: 16,697
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 814
Property Crime Per 100k: 4,588
Median Home Value: $58,285
Median Income: $29,952
/10
Population: 32,392
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,953
Property Crime Per 100k: 4,319
Median Home Value: $86,670
Median Income: $30,863
How we determined the worst neighborhoods in the US
To rank the worst neighborhoods in America, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place to live. Most people like low crime, things to do, and a stable economy.
So, we used Saturday Night Science to research FBI crime and Census data. The following are the criteria we used:
- Lower Population Density
- Highest Unemployment Rates
- Low Median Income
- Low Home Prices
- High Crime
The chart at the bottom lists the 100 worst neighborhoods in the United States based on these criteria.
We updated this report for 2023. This report is our tenth time ranking the worst neighborhoods 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 Neighborhoods In The US
If you’re looking at small cities in the U.S. where crime is high, people are broke, and the public schools are lousy, this is an accurate list.
Here’s a look at the best neighborhoods in America according to the data:
- Battery Park, New York
- Downtown, Jersey City
- Upper East Side, New York
Table: Worst Neighborhoods To Live In The United States
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income | Crime Per 100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelby Forest-Frayser, Memphis, TN | 34,345 | $63,796 | $30,093 | 9,028 |
| 2 | Park, Stockton, CA | 26,331 | $113,358 | $33,773 | 8,567 |
| 3 | Parkway Village-Oakhaven, Memphis, TN | 38,591 | $74,096 | $37,738 | 10,532 |
| 4 | White Haven-Coro Lake, Memphis, TN | 87,467 | $78,449 | $39,603 | 8,479 |
| 5 | Downtown, Memphis, TN | 48,022 | $112,443 | $30,027 | 11,471 |
| 6 | Northeast, Houston, TX | 129,659 | $66,156 | $32,777 | 6,710 |
| 7 | Far North, Houston, TX | 59,742 | $52,586 | $30,316 | 8,153 |
| 8 | South Side, Toledo, OH | 18,002 | $41,953 | $34,153 | 5,573 |
| 9 | Near Southside, Columbus, OH | 16,697 | $58,285 | $29,952 | 5,402 |
| 10 | Seaport, Stockton, CA | 32,392 | $86,670 | $30,863 | 6,272 |
| 11 | Puritas Longmead, Cleveland, OH | 17,093 | $64,674 | $33,765 | 5,871 |
| 12 | South Boulevard-Park Row, Dallas, TX | 26,359 | $64,083 | $30,213 | 9,717 |
| 13 | Northeast, Columbus, OH | 29,406 | $81,032 | $34,150 | 4,972 |
| 14 | Tioga-Nicetown, Philadelphia, PA | 17,382 | $58,569 | $24,935 | 9,267 |
| 15 | South East, Fort Worth, TX | 59,810 | $53,724 | $31,691 | 5,428 |
| 16 | Warrendale, Detroit, MI | 20,647 | $32,118 | $26,435 | 12,432 |
| 17 | Lakewood Heights-Southeastern Atlanta, Atlanta, GA | 23,547 | $53,753 | $27,867 | 2,837 |
| 18 | Englewood, Chicago, IL | 36,917 | $113,739 | $26,828 | 8,821 |
| 19 | West Baltimore, Baltimore, MD | 52,160 | $78,008 | $28,589 | 10,635 |
| 20 | East Toledo, Toledo, OH | 21,142 | $39,404 | $35,424 | 5,541 |
| 21 | Edison, Fresno, CA | 23,773 | $165,716 | $32,395 | 3,962 |
| 22 | Raleigh, Memphis, TN | 58,688 | $81,134 | $41,580 | 7,484 |
| 23 | Northeast, Fort Worth, TX | 38,197 | $73,740 | $40,654 | 5,288 |
| 24 | North Hill, Akron, OH | 15,911 | $75,423 | $38,185 | 5,606 |
| 25 | West Englewood, Chicago, IL | 20,571 | $107,861 | $32,258 | 8,976 |
| 26 | Model City, Miami, FL | 25,023 | $94,396 | $24,443 | 6,491 |
| 27 | Midtown, Memphis, TN | 61,886 | $128,531 | $40,518 | 9,508 |
| 28 | Whitehall, Columbus, OH | 18,878 | $77,695 | $39,753 | 4,859 |
| 29 | Alleghany West, Philadelphia, PA | 18,676 | $48,477 | $25,196 | 8,020 |
| 30 | Southeast, Houston, TX | 261,757 | $97,556 | $41,297 | 6,022 |
| 31 | Roseland, Chicago, IL | 17,708 | $121,809 | $39,713 | 6,673 |
| 32 | South, Raleigh, NC | 17,197 | $131,456 | $42,477 | 3,482 |
| 33 | Near East, Columbus, OH | 17,159 | $93,138 | $32,468 | 4,580 |
| 34 | Greater Rosemont, Baltimore, MD | 18,664 | $70,600 | $35,059 | 7,081 |
| 35 | West Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV | 20,794 | $175,140 | $34,789 | 14,159 |
| 36 | Five Points, Toledo, OH | 20,573 | $67,982 | $45,285 | 4,488 |
| 37 | West Akron, Akron, OH | 15,361 | $83,686 | $33,584 | 4,583 |
| 38 | Kenmore, Akron, OH | 15,909 | $66,290 | $40,829 | 5,356 |
| 39 | Fresno-High, Fresno, CA | 56,759 | $127,194 | $35,850 | 5,718 |
| 40 | North Lawndale, Chicago, IL | 35,417 | $126,400 | $26,510 | 9,969 |
| 41 | Hickory Ridge-South Riverdale, Memphis, TN | 66,172 | $105,147 | $49,911 | 5,937 |
| 42 | Haddington-Carroll Park, Philadelphia, PA | 35,068 | $68,396 | $28,706 | 9,321 |
| 43 | Cedar Crest, Dallas, TX | 67,875 | $83,769 | $33,363 | 5,475 |
| 44 | East End, Houston, TX | 87,359 | $102,414 | $37,480 | 6,134 |
| 45 | Westwood, Cincinnati, OH | 31,273 | $104,526 | $42,904 | 5,590 |
| 46 | Nevadalidgerwood, Spokane, WA | 27,612 | $171,165 | $46,128 | 9,805 |
| 47 | Southwest, Raleigh, NC | 22,629 | $132,067 | $38,691 | 3,850 |
| 48 | Urbandale-Parkdale, Dallas, TX | 25,716 | $78,462 | $33,974 | 5,126 |
| 49 | Southeast Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO | 66,120 | $187,543 | $47,922 | 14,521 |
| 50 | Pacific, Stockton, CA | 44,600 | $145,654 | $42,679 | 6,059 |
| 51 | Southside, Fort Worth, TX | 56,682 | $83,117 | $37,624 | 6,474 |
| 52 | East Garfield Park, Chicago, IL | 18,665 | $222,929 | $28,558 | 9,582 |
| 53 | West Price Hill, Cincinnati, OH | 17,820 | $86,100 | $44,469 | 6,049 |
| 54 | Prospect Hill, San Antonio, TX | 27,957 | $65,332 | $34,400 | 6,658 |
| 55 | Southwest, Houston, TX | 108,921 | $102,760 | $48,850 | 4,079 |
| 56 | Auburn Gresham, Chicago, IL | 45,607 | $115,671 | $32,470 | 6,731 |
| 57 | Ottawa, Toledo, OH | 18,509 | $79,484 | $43,778 | 3,666 |
| 58 | Central City, Corpus Christi, TX | 93,611 | $85,931 | $40,264 | 6,772 |
| 59 | Central, El Paso, TX | 42,696 | $106,767 | $35,355 | 4,516 |
| 60 | Powellhurst, Portland, OR | 25,760 | $186,475 | $40,114 | 7,693 |
| 61 | Old Brooklyn, Cleveland, OH | 32,541 | $88,530 | $43,059 | 4,815 |
| 62 | North, Houston, TX | 119,685 | $88,419 | $34,255 | 6,426 |
| 63 | Northside, Fort Worth, TX | 44,752 | $68,951 | $37,189 | 4,784 |
| 64 | Sycamore, Fort Worth, TX | 40,126 | $85,861 | $44,497 | 3,636 |
| 65 | Hunting Park, Philadelphia, PA | 17,642 | $65,918 | $28,438 | 4,683 |
| 66 | New City, Chicago, IL | 41,153 | $110,614 | $32,588 | 4,515 |
| 67 | North Linden, Columbus, OH | 30,894 | $86,266 | $40,367 | 4,797 |
| 68 | East Tampa, Tampa, FL | 21,443 | $149,050 | $34,862 | 3,809 |
| 69 | West Pullman, Chicago, IL | 26,366 | $103,967 | $46,956 | 5,564 |
| 70 | Cuf, Cincinnati, OH | 15,325 | $146,725 | $34,465 | 6,408 |
| 71 | Greater Hilltop, Columbus, OH | 65,257 | $74,258 | $37,375 | 5,108 |
| 72 | Whitmer-Trilby, Toledo, OH | 16,896 | $91,173 | $42,574 | 3,432 |
| 73 | Park Heights, Baltimore, MD | 33,761 | $98,165 | $36,783 | 5,156 |
| 74 | South Chicago, Chicago, IL | 28,988 | $143,288 | $44,876 | 6,151 |
| 75 | Charleston Heights, Las Vegas, NV | 38,504 | $120,190 | $47,170 | 8,231 |
| 76 | Germantown, Philadelphia, PA | 66,915 | $99,031 | $29,642 | 5,611 |
| 77 | Berclair-Highland Heights, Memphis, TN | 32,735 | $61,048 | $32,973 | 9,795 |
| 78 | Eastside, Fort Worth, TX | 95,072 | $108,565 | $49,038 | 4,404 |
| 79 | Sugarland, Houston, TX | 125,992 | $83,472 | $42,634 | 4,472 |
| 80 | West Central, Mesa, AZ | 61,951 | $115,836 | $38,678 | 4,932 |
| 81 | Valley Oak, Stockton, CA | 36,077 | $150,024 | $45,891 | 2,858 |
| 82 | Glen-Fallstaff Area, Baltimore, MD | 15,750 | $124,662 | $43,823 | 3,899 |
| 83 | Payne Phallen, St. Paul, MN | 30,979 | $119,441 | $44,790 | 5,546 |
| 84 | Harrowgate, Philadelphia, PA | 16,098 | $87,075 | $29,043 | 8,657 |
| 85 | Maplewood, Rochester, NY | 18,384 | $76,412 | $43,339 | 4,005 |
| 86 | Kensington, Philadelphia, PA | 24,869 | $142,231 | $42,035 | 5,224 |
| 87 | Central, Arlington, TX | 24,962 | $128,731 | $41,113 | 6,552 |
| 88 | Northwest, Houston, TX | 138,832 | $132,124 | $48,919 | 5,991 |
| 89 | Active Bethel, Eugene, OR | 26,225 | $147,138 | $46,446 | 5,746 |
| 90 | Deanwood, Washington, DC | 29,798 | $221,083 | $41,869 | 7,777 |
| 91 | South Shore, Chicago, IL | 40,415 | $163,136 | $38,548 | 7,117 |
| 92 | Grand Boulevard, Chicago, IL | 22,603 | $158,817 | $36,187 | 6,168 |
| 93 | Austin, Chicago, IL | 97,012 | $149,598 | $36,124 | 6,136 |
| 94 | Southeast, Raleigh, NC | 28,074 | $124,092 | $43,932 | 2,727 |
| 95 | Frankford, Philadelphia, PA | 23,989 | $93,217 | $33,299 | 5,446 |
| 96 | Alahambra, Phoenix, AZ | 134,116 | $138,611 | $43,225 | 6,579 |
| 97 | South Dallas, Dallas, TX | 31,153 | $92,479 | $35,903 | 6,637 |
| 98 | Logan-Fern Rock, Philadelphia, PA | 23,813 | $80,772 | $30,568 | 4,064 |
| 99 | South Norfolk, Chesapeake, VA | 22,479 | $179,964 | $52,299 | 5,000 |
| 100 | East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire, Memphis, TN | 104,210 | $147,292 | $60,304 | 7,022 |