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 599 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 Hidalgo County, TX is the worst county to live in the country:
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Worst Counties In America For 2023
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 2023
Population: 865,677
Biggest City: McAllen
Median Income: $44,666
Median Home Value: $94,600
Unemployment Rate: 7.8%
I live in Mcallen next to RIO GRANDE CITY and Mcallen is so beautiful.Just come here and see for yourself.Mercades may be a bit yuck but it’s really cool.Donna is cool as well.No hate,just telling you.
Population: 118,836
Biggest City: Lumberton
Median Income: $36,736
Median Home Value: $77,900
Unemployment Rate: 6.7%
I’m from Lumberton, I work in Lumberton, I live in Fayetteville and I have been in every region of this state.
NC is an incredibly blessed state. We have great weather, beautiful beaches, the mountains, the coastal Plains, the piedmont, and several advanced large cities.
Yes, crime is there, there is no doubt. Sometimes it’s a cycle passed from generation to generation. Sometimes it’s desperation, and sometimes it’s laziness.
I will tell you though, the majority of the people and places in North Carolina are good, proud North Carolinians. Some are born here, some are transplants, but we’re all eventually Tar Heels.
Lumberton is a good place to raise a family. So is Fayetteville. We are blessed to be the home of Fort Bragg and Pope AAF, supporting the greatest military in the world.
Population: 106,609
Biggest City: Show Low
Median Income: $46,126
Median Home Value: $145,700
Unemployment Rate: 10.5%
Population: 420,554
Biggest City: Brownsville
Median Income: $43,057
Median Home Value: $94,200
Unemployment Rate: 6.0%
Population: 205,772
Biggest City: Augusta-Richmond County consolidated government (balance)
Median Income: $46,237
Median Home Value: $123,400
Unemployment Rate: 9.0%
Population: 156,711
Biggest City: Adel
Median Income: $43,862
Median Home Value: $131,400
Unemployment Rate: 7.7%
Population: 860,485
Biggest City: El Paso
Median Income: $50,919
Median Home Value: $131,500
Unemployment Rate: 6.8%
I live in El Paso m8 and I love it here
Population: 230,772
Biggest City: Jackson
Median Income: $46,179
Median Home Value: $129,300
Unemployment Rate: 8.7%
I love Jackson, MS I was born and raised here. I love how you can’t even walk down the streets because Jamal or Tyrone might have had a bad day and decide he wants to end your life. I also like all of the homeless harassing me for money and urinating in front of my family and I. The city government is also a haram of idiots pretending to be competent leaders who can’t even maintain roads and water lines. I also love how you can’t even go to a decently priced restaurant without hearing Tyrone and Shanequa having a screaming match or just screaming for fun. If you have to move here I advise a trip to a gun store. It’s a great place, everyone should move here.
My favorite place is when I leave on vacation to somewhere out side of the ghetto
Population: 122,912
Biggest City: Farmington
Median Income: $47,485
Median Home Value: $155,000
Unemployment Rate: 8.2%
Population: 202,944
Biggest City: Yuma
Median Income: $52,563
Median Home Value: $148,900
Unemployment Rate: 8.4%
actually I live in yuma & it’s not that bad here
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 2023.
We updated this report for 2023. 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 Hidalgo County, TX.
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:
- Douglas County
- Carver County
- Williamson County
The Worst Counties To Live In The United States
| Rank | County | Biggest City | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hidalgo County, TX | Mcallen | 865,677 | 7.8% | $94,600 | $44,666 |
| 2 | Robeson County, NC | Lumberton | 118,836 | 6.7% | $77,900 | $36,736 |
| 3 | Navajo County, AZ | Show Low | 106,609 | 10.5% | $145,700 | $46,126 |
| 4 | Cameron County, TX | Brownsville | 420,554 | 6.0% | $94,200 | $43,057 |
| 5 | Richmond County, GA | Augusta-Richmond County Consolidated Government (Balance) | 205,772 | 9.0% | $123,400 | $46,237 |
| 6 | Bibb County, GA | Adel | 156,711 | 7.7% | $131,400 | $43,862 |
| 7 | El Paso County, TX | El Paso | 860,485 | 6.8% | $131,500 | $50,919 |
| 8 | Hinds County, MS | Jackson | 230,772 | 8.7% | $129,300 | $46,179 |
| 9 | San Juan County, NM | Farmington | 122,912 | 8.2% | $155,000 | $47,485 |
| 10 | Yuma County, AZ | Yuma | 202,944 | 8.4% | $148,900 | $52,563 |
| 11 | Wyandotte County, KS | Kansas City | 168,333 | 6.0% | $116,500 | $52,366 |
| 12 | Highlands County, FL | Sebring | 101,174 | 7.4% | $131,900 | $46,895 |
| 13 | Clayton County, GA | Forest Park | 294,335 | 7.0% | $136,600 | $51,945 |
| 14 | Webb County, TX | Laredo | 266,963 | 5.8% | $143,300 | $54,618 |
| 15 | , NM | 218,157 | 7.4% | $162,200 | $47,151 | |
| 16 | Calhoun County, AL | Oxford | 116,425 | 7.0% | $123,200 | $50,977 |
| 17 | Whitfield County, GA | Dalton | 103,076 | 6.6% | $150,700 | $52,439 |
| 18 | Sumter County, SC | Sumter | 105,537 | 8.3% | $129,200 | $49,040 |
| 19 | Muscogee County, GA | Columbus | 204,366 | 8.0% | $146,000 | $50,542 |
| 20 | Jefferson County, TX | Beaumont | 256,755 | 5.6% | $129,600 | $53,613 |
| 21 | Pitt County, NC | Greenville | 170,600 | 7.4% | $153,100 | $50,422 |
| 22 | Etowah County, AL | Gadsden | 103,468 | 6.1% | $129,600 | $46,984 |
| 23 | Caddo Parish, LA | Shreveport | 239,775 | 8.6% | $152,800 | $43,153 |
| 24 | Harrison County, MS | Gulfport | 207,382 | 9.1% | $162,400 | $51,590 |
| 25 | Jackson County, MS | Pascagoula | 142,993 | 8.9% | $146,500 | $55,107 |
| 26 | Rowan County, NC | Kannapolis | 145,784 | 7.1% | $155,700 | $53,600 |
| 27 | Lowndes County, GA | Valdosta | 117,437 | 5.6% | $154,200 | $48,703 |
| 28 | St. Louis City, MO | St. Louis | 302,787 | 6.0% | $153,200 | $48,751 |
| 29 | Nueces County, TX | Corpus Christi | 353,594 | 6.0% | $155,400 | $59,477 |
| 30 | Montgomery County, AL | Montgomery | 229,072 | 6.6% | $134,700 | $52,511 |
| 31 | Rapides Parish, LA | Alexandria | 130,459 | 6.3% | $153,600 | $49,639 |
| 32 | Mobile County, AL | Mobile | 414,620 | 5.8% | $144,100 | $51,169 |
| 33 | Potter County, TX | Amarillo | 119,043 | 3.6% | $102,000 | $45,096 |
| 34 | Shelby County, TN | Memphis | 929,178 | 7.6% | $170,200 | $55,015 |
| 35 | Sebastian County, AR | Fort Smith | 127,941 | 5.0% | $136,600 | $50,226 |
| 36 | Philadelphia County, PA | Philadelphia | 1,596,865 | 8.9% | $184,100 | $52,649 |
| 37 | Sullivan County, TN | Johnson City | 157,843 | 6.7% | $152,000 | $49,661 |
| 38 | Citrus County, FL | Homosassa Springs | 151,888 | 7.7% | $158,800 | $48,664 |
| 39 | Imperial County, CA | El Centro | 180,051 | 13.9% | $219,800 | $49,078 |
| 40 | Tangipahoa Parish, LA | Hammond | 132,492 | 5.8% | $170,600 | $50,659 |
| 41 | Wayne County, NC | Goldsboro | 117,692 | 4.4% | $131,400 | $49,488 |
| 42 | Cumberland County, NJ | Vineland | 154,921 | 8.1% | $168,900 | $58,397 |
| 43 | Yakima County, WA | Yakima | 255,151 | 7.1% | $213,200 | $58,380 |
| 44 | Ouachita Parish, LA | Monroe | 160,227 | 5.9% | $156,700 | $46,021 |
| 45 | Comanche County, OK | Lawton | 121,502 | 6.7% | $133,300 | $54,483 |
| 46 | Carroll County, GA | Carrollton | 118,402 | 6.1% | $162,300 | $62,498 |
| 47 | Ector County, TX | Odessa | 161,258 | 6.1% | $155,100 | $64,975 |
| 48 | Vigo County, IN | Terre Haute | 106,523 | 6.6% | $114,000 | $48,552 |
| 49 | Wichita County, TX | Wichita Falls | 129,419 | 4.7% | $109,600 | $53,272 |
| 50 | Marion County, FL | The Villages | 370,372 | 6.9% | $160,300 | $50,808 |
| 51 | Houston County, AL | Dothan | 106,355 | 5.2% | $146,300 | $50,222 |
| 52 | Mohave County, AZ | Lake Havasu City | 211,274 | 7.4% | $192,300 | $49,738 |
| 53 | Randolph County, NC | High Point | 143,735 | 4.6% | $134,800 | $51,598 |
| 54 | Terrebonne Parish, LA | Houma | 110,100 | 6.7% | $160,600 | $57,940 |
| 55 | Wayne County, MI | Detroit | 1,789,781 | 9.2% | $136,200 | $52,830 |
| 56 | Davidson County, NC | High Point | 168,002 | 5.4% | $157,300 | $53,083 |
| 57 | Orleans Parish, LA | New Orleans | 383,974 | 8.4% | $255,500 | $45,594 |
| 58 | Cumberland County, NC | Fayetteville | 333,582 | 8.0% | $145,200 | $50,746 |
| 59 | Lucas County, OH | Toledo | 431,212 | 7.3% | $127,900 | $53,176 |
| 60 | Delaware County, IN | Muncie | 112,480 | 6.4% | $103,300 | $49,321 |
| 61 | Clarke County, GA | Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (Balance) | 128,195 | 5.6% | $199,400 | $44,070 |
| 62 | Winnebago County, IL | Rockford | 285,471 | 7.9% | $125,900 | $57,779 |
| 63 | Baltimore City, MD | Baltimore | 592,211 | 7.4% | $175,300 | $54,124 |
| 64 | Marion County, IN | Indianapolis | 969,542 | 5.6% | $156,000 | $54,601 |
| 65 | Tulare County, CA | Visalia | 470,999 | 10.2% | $240,600 | $57,394 |
| 66 | Norfolk City, VA | Norfolk | 238,556 | 7.1% | $223,300 | $56,244 |
| 67 | Clark County, OH | Springfield | 136,032 | 7.1% | $127,400 | $54,869 |
| 68 | Florence County, SC | Florence | 137,276 | 4.6% | $139,900 | $51,902 |
| 69 | Harris County, TX | Houston | 4,697,957 | 6.5% | $201,200 | $65,788 |
| 70 | Jasper County, MO | Joplin | 122,059 | 4.1% | $129,600 | $51,876 |
| 71 | Mclennan County, TX | Waco | 258,031 | 4.7% | $165,400 | $53,723 |
| 72 | Kern County, CA | Bakersfield | 905,644 | 8.9% | $241,400 | $58,824 |
| 73 | Bronx County, NY | New York | 1,468,262 | 11.2% | $445,900 | $43,726 |
| 74 | Bell County, TX | Killeen | 364,703 | 7.7% | $164,200 | $57,932 |
| 75 | Harnett County, NC | Dunn | 133,074 | 6.1% | $165,800 | $59,676 |
| 76 | Cochise County, AZ | Sierra Vista | 125,092 | 7.1% | $159,500 | $55,077 |
| 77 | Bexar County, TX | San Antonio | 1,990,522 | 5.6% | $187,300 | $62,169 |
| 78 | Merced County, CA | Merced | 279,150 | 11.1% | $288,400 | $58,861 |
| 79 | Catawba County, NC | Hickory | 159,852 | 5.8% | $163,100 | $57,840 |
| 80 | St. Lawrence County, NY | Massena | 108,836 | 6.3% | $99,300 | $54,351 |
| 81 | Gregg County, TX | Longview | 123,744 | 3.7% | $150,900 | $56,566 |
| 82 | Anderson County, SC | Anderson | 202,223 | 5.4% | $160,700 | $56,796 |
| 83 | Craighead County, AR | Jonesboro | 109,875 | 5.7% | $157,100 | $51,788 |
| 84 | Richmond City, VA | Richmond | 225,676 | 6.0% | $263,000 | $54,795 |
| 85 | Bradley County, TN | Cleveland | 107,845 | 5.7% | $179,700 | $55,426 |
| 86 | Morgan County, AL | Decatur | 122,608 | 4.7% | $152,400 | $56,128 |
| 87 | Madison County, IN | Anderson | 130,037 | 5.8% | $111,600 | $54,491 |
| 88 | Lubbock County, TX | Lubbock | 308,580 | 4.4% | $158,700 | $56,529 |
| 89 | Hernando County, FL | Spring Hill | 192,128 | 6.3% | $173,700 | $53,301 |
| 90 | Escambia County, FL | Pensacola | 318,828 | 6.3% | $171,900 | $56,605 |
| 91 | Aiken County, SC | Aiken | 168,045 | 6.7% | $159,600 | $57,572 |
| 92 | Jefferson Parish, LA | Metairie | 439,402 | 6.0% | $201,800 | $58,638 |
| 93 | Horry County, SC | Myrtle Beach | 344,865 | 6.1% | $199,100 | $54,688 |
| 94 | Polk County, FL | Lakeland | 713,148 | 4.9% | $177,900 | $55,099 |
| 95 | Fayette County, PA | Uniontown | 129,443 | 7.2% | $109,400 | $51,321 |
| 96 | Tulsa County, OK | Tulsa | 664,084 | 5.6% | $168,800 | $60,382 |
| 97 | Fresno County, CA | Fresno | 1,003,150 | 8.8% | $288,100 | $61,276 |
| 98 | Forsyth County, NC | Winston-Salem | 380,583 | 5.3% | $171,300 | $56,830 |
| 99 | Peoria County, IL | Peoria | 182,439 | 7.3% | $133,000 | $58,426 |
| 100 | Kings County, CA | Hanford | 151,887 | 9.1% | $243,300 | $63,267 |
Worst Counties Places By State
Most Dangerous Cities In Alaska
Most Dangerous Cities In Alabama
Most Dangerous Places In Arkansas
Most Dangerous Cities In Arizona
Most Dangerous Cities In California
Most Dangerous Cities In Colorado
Most Dangerous Cities In Connecticut
Most Dangerous Cities In Delaware
Most Dangerous Places In Florida
Most Dangerous Places In Georgia
Most Dangerous Cities In Idaho
Most Dangerous Cities In Illinois
Most Dangerous Cities In Indiana
Most Dangerous Places In Kansas
Most Dangerous Cities In Massachusetts
Most Dangerous Cities In Maryland
Most Dangerous Cities In Maine
Most Dangerous Places In Michigan
Most Dangerous Cities In Minnesota
Most Dangerous Cities In Missouri
Most Dangerous Cities In Mississippi
Most Dangerous Cities In Montana
Most Dangerous Cities In North Carolina
Most Dangerous Cities In North Dakota
Most Dangerous Cities In Nebraska
Most Dangerous Cities In New Hampshire
Most Dangerous Cities In New Jersey
Most Dangerous Cities In New Mexico
5 Most Dangerous Cities In Nevada
Most Dangerous Cities In Oklahoma
Most Dangerous Cities In Oregon
Most Dangerous Cities In Pennsylvania
Most Dangerous Cities In Rhode Island
Most Dangerous Cities In South Carolina
Most Dangerous Cities In South Dakota
Most Dangerous Cities In Tennessee
Most Dangerous Places In Texas
Most Dangerous Cities In Virginia
Most Dangerous Cities In Vermont
Most Dangerous Cities In Washington
Most Dangerous Cities In Wisconsin
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.
What are you talking about ? I don’t see Oklahoma mention in article or on the list ??
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!