What separates a well-run city from a poorly run city? It’s complicated establishing exactly what contributes toward the efficient operating of a city but experts have used certain criteria to help them determine which the worst-run cities in America are, as highlighted in a recent survey by WalletHub.
Using these results, Stacker decided to expand upon the concept with its own analysis. By looking at factors such as service delivery, economy, crime, job opportunity, and pollution, the news outlet was able to rank the worst-run cities in America. Here we look at the 10 worst:
10. Cleveland, Ohio. The city has one of the lowest annual household income medians in the U.S. Cleveland scored a 39.14 in terms of overall quality of city services.
9. Memphis, Tennessee. When it comes to violent crime rates, the city has one of the highest in America. Memphis scored a 37.78 in terms of overall quality of city services.
8. Toledo, Ohio. The city scored extremely low in education ranking, putting its overall quality of city services score at a 37.61.
7. Gary, Indiana. Poverty is rife in the city, which had one of the highest percentages of populations in poverty in America. Gary scored a 37.24 in terms of overall quality of city services.
6. Stockton, California. The city received one of the lowest rankings for infrastructure and pollution, putting Stockton as the sixth worst-run cities in America with an overall quality of city services score of 36.51.
5. Flint, Michigan. In addition to a massive water crisis in 2014, Flint also has the highest percent of the population in poverty in America. The city scored a 36.39 in terms of overall quality of city services.
4. Shreveport, Louisiana. Combined low rankings in education, infrastructure and pollution push Shreveport to fourth on the list of worst-run cities in America. The city scored a 34.59 for overall quality of city services.
3. Jackson, Mississippi. Health, economy and education were among the city's lowest rankings. Jackson scored a 32.20 in terms of overall quality of city services.
2. St. Louis, Missouri. A low safety ranking combined with high crime rate puts St. Louis as the second worst-run city in America. The city scored a 29.81 in terms of overall quality of city services.
1. Detroit, Michigan. Numerous factors contributed towards Detroit's raking as the worst-run city in America. The city has the highest violent crime rates, unemployment rates and infant mortality rates. Detroit scored a 28.77 in terms of overall quality of city services.
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