Top 10 Worst Places to Live In Arkansas . Top 10 Worst Cities In Arkansas to Live, Raise a Family, Job or Retire. Top 10 Worst Towns in Arkansas. Top 10 Worst Villages in Arkansas. If you’re thinking about a move to Arkansas, here are the places you should avoid to live, retire or raise a family. 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Arkansas You Should Never Move To. Top 10 Worst Cities To Live In Arkansas. 10 Places in Arkansas You Should NEVER Move To.

TOP 10 WORST CITIES TO LIVE IN ARKANSAS

Table of Contents

• 1. OSCEOLA
• 2. WEST MEMPHIS
• 3. PINE BLUFF
• 4. HELENA WEST HELENA
• 5. BLYTHEVILLE
• 6. FORREST CITY
• 7. ALEXANDER
• 8. WYNNE
• 9. WALDRON
• 10. ASHDOWN

 

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1. OSCEOLA

Osceola, located in northeastern Arkansas, has a population of 6,786 residents. The city faces significant socio-economic and crime-related challenges, ranking 1st in violent crimes, assaults, and total crimes, and 3rd in burglaries and 4th in car thefts within the state. The poverty rate is 19%, which is 38% higher than the national average, with approximately 10% of households earning less than $10,000 annually, compared to the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income is $37,871, which is 44% lower than the national average, and the unemployment rate stands at 13%, which is 181% higher than the national rate. The overall crime rate in Osceola is 219% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 670% above average, giving residents a 1 in 35 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 129% higher, with a 1 in 23 chance of experiencing such crimes.

Population : 6786
Unemployment Rate : 13.2%
Poverty : 19.3%
Median Home Value : $87500
Median Home Income : $37871
Overall Score : 2/10
Violent Crime : 195
Property Crime : 293

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2. WEST MEMPHIS

West Memphis, situated in northeastern Arkansas along the Mississippi River, has a population of 24,656. The city struggles with substantial socio-economic issues, ranking 2nd in violent crimes, robberies, and assaults, and 3rd in total crimes in the state. The poverty rate is 27%, which is 90% higher than the national average, with about 11% of households living on less than $10,000 annually, significantly higher than the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income is $32,601, 52% lower than the national average, and the unemployment rate is 11%, which is 136% higher than the national rate. The overall crime rate in West Memphis is 200% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 546% above average, leading to a 1 in 41 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 131% higher, resulting in a 1 in 23 chance of such incidents occurring. The economic instability and high crime rates in West Memphis present severe challenges, affecting residents' quality of life and safety.

Population : 24656
Unemployment Rate : 11.1%
Poverty : 26.6%
Median Home Value : $86100
Median Home Income : $32601
Overall Score : 2/10
Violent Crime : 607
Property Crime : 1094

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3. PINE BLUFF

Pine Bluff, located in southeastern Arkansas, has a population of 42,323. The city faces notable economic and crime challenges, ranking 1st in car thefts, 4th in total crimes, violent crimes, and assaults, and 5th in robberies within the state. The poverty rate is 25%, which is 81% higher than the national average, with approximately 12% of households earning less than $10,000 annually, compared to the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income is $34,410, which is 49% lower than the national average, and the unemployment rate stands at 11%, which is 130% higher than the national rate. Pine Bluff’s overall crime rate is 186% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 372% above average, giving residents a 1 in 57 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 150% higher, with a 1 in 21 chance of encountering such crimes. The city’s high crime rates and economic difficulties reflect a significant need for community and economic development.

Population : 42323
Unemployment Rate : 10.8%
Poverty : 25.4%
Median Home Value : $74900
Median Home Income : $34410
Overall Score : 3/10
Violent Crime : 746
Property Crime : 1990

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4. HELENA WEST HELENA

Helena West Helena, located in central Arkansas along the Mississippi River, has a population of 10,487. The city deals with severe socio-economic issues, ranking 1st in murders, 4th in robberies, and 3rd in unemployment in the state. The poverty rate is 39%, which is 181% higher than the national average, with about 20% of households living on less than $10,000 annually, far exceeding the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income is $23,483, 65% lower than the national average, and the unemployment rate is 16%, which is 245% higher than the national rate. Helena West Helena’s overall crime rate is 179% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 322% above average, leading to a 1 in 64 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 151% higher, resulting in a 1 in 21 chance of such incidents occurring.

Population : 10487
Unemployment Rate : 16.2%
Poverty : 39.3%
Median Home Value : $77800
Median Home Income : $23483
Overall Score : 1/10
Violent Crime : 165
Property Crime : 495

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5. BLYTHEVILLE

Blytheville, located in northeast Arkansas near the Missouri border, has a population of 13,735. The city faces considerable socio-economic and crime-related issues, ranking 1st in larcenies, 2nd in murders, and 5th in property crimes within the state. The poverty rate is 26%, which is 84% higher than the national average, with approximately 10% of households earning less than $10,000 annually, compared to the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income is $40,329, 40% lower than the national average, and the unemployment rate is 12%, which is 157% higher than the national rate. Blytheville’s overall crime rate is 178% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 208% above average, giving residents a 1 in 87 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 172% higher, with a 1 in 19 chance of encountering such incidents.

Population : 13735
Unemployment Rate : 12.1%
Poverty : 25.7%
Median Home Value : $81900
Median Home Income : $40329
Overall Score : 2/10
Violent Crime : 158
Property Crime : 705

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6. FORREST CITY

Forrest City, located in eastern Arkansas, has a population of 14,062 residents. It ranks 4th in poverty in the state with a poverty rate of 33.1%, which is 136% higher than the national average. Financial difficulty is evident, as 14% of households earn less than $10,000 annually, compared to the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income of $33,062 is 51% below the national average, and the unemployment rate stands at 6.9%, 47% higher than the national rate. Forrest City ranks 4th in total crime, 4th in violent crime, 5th in property crime, and 1st in murders in the state. Its overall crime rate is 161% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 321% above average, resulting in a 1 in 63 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 130% higher, with a 1 in 23 chance of experiencing such incidents. These figures reflect the severe economic and crime-related challenges faced by the city, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address both financial instability and crime rates.

Population : 14062
Unemployment Rate : 6.9%
Poverty : 33.1%
Median Home Value : $67500
Median Home Income : $33062
Overall Score : 1/10
Violent Crime : 223
Property Crime : 614

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7. ALEXANDER

Alexander, situated in central Arkansas, has a population of 3,168 residents. The city faces significant economic challenges, ranking 5th in poverty in the state with a rate of 22.5%, which is 61% higher than the national average. About 4% of households earn less than $10,000 annually, compared to the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income of $42,857 is 37% lower than the national average, and the unemployment rate is 8.3%, 77% higher than the national rate. Alexander ranks 6th in total crime, 7th in violent crime, and 8th in property crime in the state. The overall crime rate is 66% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 200% above average, giving residents a 1 in 77 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 39% higher, resulting in a 1 in 33 chance of encountering such incidents. The combination of high poverty and unemployment rates contributes to the city's elevated crime rates, highlighting the need for economic development and improved law enforcement strategies.

Population : 3168
Unemployment Rate : 8.3%
Poverty : 22.5%
Median Home Value : $66400
Median Home Income : $42857
Overall Score : 3/10
Violent Crime : 41
Property Crime : 96

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8. WYNNE

Wynne, located in eastern Arkansas, has a population of 7,773 residents. The city has notable socio-economic challenges, ranking 7th in poverty with a rate of 21.9%, which is 56% higher than the national average. Approximately 5% of households earn less than $10,000 annually, compared to the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income of $36,310 is 46% below the national average, and the unemployment rate is 7.7%, 64% higher than the national rate. Wynne ranks 8th in total crime, 9th in violent crime, and 7th in property crime in the state. Its overall crime rate is 108% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates 246% above average, resulting in a 1 in 75 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 81% higher, giving residents a 1 in 29 chance of experiencing such incidents. The city's economic struggles significantly influence its high crime rates, suggesting that improvements in economic conditions could help mitigate crime.

Population : 7773
Unemployment Rate : 7.7%
Poverty : 21.9%
Median Home Value : $87600
Median Home Income : $36310
Overall Score : 3/10
Violent Crime : 103
Property Crime : 272

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9. WALDRON

Waldron, located in western Arkansas, has a population of 3,405 residents. The city ranks 9th in unemployment and 4th in median income in the state. The poverty rate of 26.2% is 87% higher than the national average, with financial hardship evident as approximately 17% of households earn less than $10,000 annually, significantly higher than the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income of $27,465 is 59% below the national average, and the unemployment rate is 11%, 134% higher than the national rate. Waldron ranks 2nd in burglaries in the state. Its overall crime rate is 89% higher than the national average, with violent crime rates slightly above average, giving residents a 1 in 262 chance of being a victim. Property crime rates are 106% higher, with a 1 in 25 chance of experiencing such incidents. The high unemployment and poverty rates contribute to elevated property crime rates, underscoring the need for economic and social reforms.

Population : 3405
Unemployment Rate : 11%
Poverty : 26.2%
Median Home Value : $70200
Median Home Income : $27465
Overall Score : 1/10
Violent Crime : 13
Property Crime : 135

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10. ASHDOWN

Ashdown, situated in southwestern Arkansas, has a population of 4,425 residents. The city faces severe economic challenges, ranking 2nd in unemployment and 7th in median income in the state. The poverty rate of 24.3% is 74% higher than the national average, with about 9% of households earning less than $10,000 annually, compared to the national rate of 5.8%. The median household income of $29,726 is 56% below the national average, and the unemployment rate is 18.5%, 294% higher than the national rate. Ashdown ranks 5th in murders in the state. Its overall crime rate is 15% higher than the national average, with property crime rates 29% above average, resulting in a 1 in 40 chance of being a victim. Despite the higher crime rates, the city's severe economic conditions and high unemployment significantly influence the crime landscape, indicating a need for comprehensive economic and social support strategies.

Population : 4425
Unemployment Rate : 18.5%
Poverty : 24.3%
Median Home Value : $78000
Median Home Income : $29726
Overall Score : 3/10
Violent Crime : 8
Property Crime : 110

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