Others didnt have the same exposure. Located a half hour southeast of Pittsburgh, Clairton does have some good points. To survive, she relies on a safety net of support. http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=momsmatter2012Mom Matter 2012 is a nonpartisan platform organized by CafeMom.com. At one point it was the poorest city in the nation. But then, after several weeks, Lebo lost her child care subsidy from the state, and she had to remove her kids from day care. But now her job search is more difficult, because she has to hire a baby sitter if she gets called in for an interview, and funds are limited. Reading, Pa. was recently named the poorest city in America, according to recent census figures. When looking at all U.S. cities with at least 100,000 people, the cities with the lowest poverty rates tend to have populations between 100,000 and 250,000. Fiume says for many of his low-income clients, getting a job isn't enough. This is where you can go with this. They're what keeps me going and keeps me fighting to keep searching, as bad as the economy is. But, she says, he loves the baby, and the baby loves him. 12 Achievers after the Age of 80, Should the Bible be Banned: 6 Incestuous Couples of the Bible, DeSantis to Ship Florida Floodwaters to Democratic States, Munich Memorial TributeSome Words from David Wallechinsky, Biden Gives Go-Ahead for Friendly Dictators to Murder Opponents. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. After decades of hardships, Reading was listed as the poorest city in the United States in 2011 with a 41.3 percent poverty rate, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The famous Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company would become one of the largest corporations in the country in the 1870s. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/as-poorest-u-s-city-reading-also-struggling-with-high-dropout-rate. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Steel and textile mills set up shop here and ushered in a prosperous era for the city. The city made major headlines around the world in 2014 for being the site of a major water . Theres about 19,000 people here. Earlier in the week, Gonzales and her family went to the bank to open their first savings account, so they could start putting money aside. Good-paying work is scarce as factories. Source: 2010 Census, 2006-2010 American Community Survey, Credit: Stephanie d'Otreppe, Nicole Cohen, JoElla Straley, Hansi Lo Wang/NPR. July 13, 2012 An Oakland, Calif., nonprofit group encourages low-income families to figure out for themselves what they need to get ahead, and then helps them achieve their goals. To enjoy them, its a short drive to Beltzville State Park. There are sparks of joy in Darby as well. Thats one reason he opened offices in Philadelphia, Michigan, Colorado, and Arizona. hide caption. But she recently graduated from nursing school and just landed a full-time job at a nursing home. Certain neighborhoods in Reading are known to be dangerous, but overall, it is a fairly safe place to live. With 41.3 percent of its residents living below the poverty line, Reading, Pa., is the poorest U.S. city with a population of 65,000 or more. Its bad here and getting worse here. She's perky and optimistic, but clearly stressed. Based on FBI crime data, Reading is not one of the safest communities in America. After reading dozens of reviews of Hazleton, its clear there are some great, down to earth people here who help one another out in a pinch. Public dollars are being spread all across the table. Kainaz Amaria/NPR This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. And then theres the food and the culture. From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. Tracy Boggs, single mother of two in Reading, Pa. Like many mothers in Reading, Boggs has no husband to share the bills. Near Reading Station 46. Weidenhammer Systems Corporation started off in a rented room in a Reading home 40 years ago. Given these challenges, its no surprise that 23.4% of the 5,304 residents live below the poverty line. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. READING, Penn.For many people living in Americas poorest cities, success is elusive. The crime rate runs about 90% above the U.S. norm. So Reading's reputation as the poorest city in the country is at best a misunderstanding of the data and, at worst a canard to bludgeon a city that folks within and without love to. It does not store any personal data. Thats what the residents of Reading, Pennsylvaniathe nations poorest citywould like to know. In the following decades, Reading would lose nearly half its population as factories moved away and demand for coal subsided. He says the learning center can provide stability in the lives of children who might not get it elsewhere, and that maybe it can help break the cycle of poverty with that next generation. This is our seventh time ranking the worst places to live in Pennsylvania. The authoritative record of NPRs programming is the audio record. 7 Takeaways On Bidens Updated Student Debt Relief, How You Can Improve Your Mental Health In Retirement: Three Big Tips, What To Know If You May Be In A Common Law Marriage, Why You Should Think Twice About Online Travel Deals: 4 Proven Ways To Avoid Scams. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:600px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3','ezslot_0',606,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-medrectangle-3-0');However, according to data (which doesnt measure things like beauty and friendly people), there are far better options in the state for making a place home. The 10 Worst Places To Live In Pennsylvania For 2021 McKeesport Duquesne Clairton McKees Rocks Reading Chester Darby Hazleton Lehighton Allentown What? Credit: Kainaz Amaria and Pam Fessler/NPR. By 1971, the Reading Railroad company was bankrupt. Is that right? Many low-income parents seem to know instinctively what studies show, that poor children are more likely to become poor adults, to drop out of school and to become single teen parents. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Gonzales would like her children to go to better schools. Pennsylvanias lower elevations are in the southeast part of the state and along the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers. We dont think its a stretch to assume that people like the following things: The data comes from the Censuss most recent American Community Survey and from the FBI Uniform Crime Report. But, before that, were you into school, or you didn't care much about school, or. Last year the company made $42 million. Is Reading, PA a nice place to live? It can be a vicious cycle playing out here in Reading and in older industrial cities all over the country. Despite these difficult circumstances, some entrepreneurs have flourished. The census data tracked how seven major cities in the Keystone State are doing: Disturbingly, a fifth or more of residents in our biggest cities live in poverty. Thanks for having me. Like, I had good grades. Support Intelligent, In-Depth, Trustworthy Journalism. During my recent visit to Reading, the companys CEO, John Weidenhammer, talked about how he was able to build his company at a time when his hometown was falling into decline. Skip to Article To avoid bankruptcy, Reading is operating under a strict financial plan with the state which calls for property tax hikes, pay freezes and budget cutbacks. Here's a closer look at which places in America are getting poorer. Lori Lebo, 37, has had a string of setbacks. So which cities have had it hardest? What is causing the plague in Thebes and how can it be fixed? And a lot of employers are now cracking down, that you can't even take the time to take care of your family," she says. this goes without mention of those who are almost able to qualify for programs that could help. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If it was just me, I would have [given] up a long time ago. Chester is right along the Delaware river, south of Philly. Young people see jobs leaving town and decide there's little point in getting an education. Lower education generally means higher poverty. Plus, Pittsburgh has been named as one of the best cities in the nation many times over now. you have 20 year old men and women getting disability checks for depression and anxiety. The only way to get there is to drive. The message is: Work hard and opportunity will follow. All Rights Reserved. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Population: 5,304Rank Last Year: 15 (Up 6)Median Home Value: $114,200Unemployment Rate: 12.8%More on Lehighton: Data|Photos. The unemployment rate sits at 13.8%, while 39.2% of locals eke out a living below the poverty line. And he said, a republic, if you can keep it. Virginia Beach, with a population of close to 440,000, is another good exception, with only 7.3% of its population living below the poverty line, down from 8.3% five years ago. Its pilot program for low-income families is proving to be a promising new approach to an old problem. For instance, residents can take advantage of the nearby Dead Mans Hollow Conservation Area. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Crime also sits slightly above the national average. Forty-one percent of the city's residents live below the poverty line; good-paying work is scarce as factories and other plants continue to shutter in a flagging economy. "Obviously life is happening around us, and I can't always focus on one thing," she says. According to the facts, Johnstown is the poorest place in Pennsylvania for 2021. It serves 200 students, with a plan to double in size next year, its mission, attract and mentor those at risk of dropping out or who already have, but are willing to give it another try. I Got Nailed Again By Identity Theft: Heres What I Did To Shut It Down, Heres When Student Loan Payments Resume, And What Borrowers Should Do Now. This list is a scientific analysis based on real data and is completely unbiased. that is the truth!!! It has been steadily climbing since it ranked 23rd in 2000. The manager gave him a stack of instruction manuals and Weidenhammer put them next to his bed. "My unemployment [benefits] stopped, and [I] didn't know where I was going to turn," she says. Ah, the P.A. Gonzales is trying desperately to get ahead, and things are looking up. It wasn't until I came across a great mentor that said, you can achieve these things, you can do great things that I started it started clicking. Hershey, which had about 250 people, has moved their folks either to Hershey, Pennsylvania, or down to Mexico. To find high-skilled employees, Weidenhammer had to expand his search beyond Reading, where only eight percent of adults older than 25 have college degrees. And before you get all riled up and say were picking on small town America, thats not the case. Oh yeah, and they had 22 murders a couple of years back. Of course not. Or if you're simply not interested in reading about crime and blight, and you don't care about this list, check out: Cheapest Cities To Live In America At first, local manufacturing companies made up most of Weidenhammers client base. That convenient location doesnt save the community from becoming the number 2 worst location in Pennsylvania. Any man can change. Just released Census Bureau figures show Pennsylvanias poverty rate has climbed, rising to 13.4 percent in 2010 compared to 11.6 percent in 2007, when the recession first hit. THOMAS MCMAHON: Thank you. 9 How tall is the highest peak in Pennsylvania? Flint, Mich. and Bloomington, Ind. Unfortunately, there are other factors at play. The unemployment rate comes in at 8.9% and the median income sits at $49,292. And so begins the school year in one of America's poorest cities. For more Pennsylvania reading, check out: Population: 19,225Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)Median Home Value: $48,000Unemployment Rate: 12.1%More on Mckeesport: Data|Photos. Meaning, you have to be joking, right? But if quality education is an answer, Reading struggles to offer it. It might be the worst city in all of northeastern PA. If youre curious enough, here are the best cities to live in Pennsylvania: Nick Johnson earned his masters in Business Administration from the Drucker School At Claremont Graduate University. Sept. 29, 2011 "I feel like I'm doing a juggling act.". Kainaz Amaria/NPR The good news is that for most American cities, the percentage of the population living below the poverty line has declined over the last five years. Weidenhammer seized the opportunity. Is Reading PA the poorest city in America? Poverty is high, but it's a lot higher for single mothers. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Cheapside and West Street in Reading (Image: ThamesValleyPolice), Richfield Avenue 36. With 41.3% of its residents considered poor, Reading has passed Flint, Michigan (41.2%), a community ravaged by the decline of the American auto industry, as the worst of the worst-off in America. Chasing Chains, LLC. Student Loan Forgiveness Update: What We Know About Bidens Newest Plan, Student Loan Pause Extended? If it was just me, I would have [given] up a long time ago.". So he started providing IT to clients across the country in a variety of industries, including a European pest-control company. It was the whole introduction to the ecosystem, he said. Reading ranked 2nd in poorest American cities. The city of Reading dropout rate is significantly high. DELORIS REVIERE, Olivet Boys and Girls Club: No. BLOCK: Ten years ago, as I understand it, Reading had the 32nd highest poverty rate in the country. "It's small, but we actually want to move out of the city," she says. Population: 88,232Rank Last Year: 7 (Up 2)Median Home Value: $73,200Unemployment Rate: 12.9%More on Reading: Data|Photos. Hazleton was once a thriving industrial small city and was in the very heart of PAs coal mining region. Other cities with high poverty rates include Bloomington, Indiana, and Albany, Georgia (both at 39.9%), followed by a slew of towns in Michigan (Kalamazoo 38.8% and Detroit 37.6%) and Texas (Brownsville 38.6%, College Station 37.3% and Pharr 37.1%). It's clean and bright inside the center. it doesn't. There's also been a huge demographic shift in the last 20 years with an influx of Latinos, many of them immigrants attracted on the low cost of living in Reading. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Wheres our 5th worst place to move to in the state of Pennsylvania? We just have to kind of think outside of the box and look at ways in which we can entice our young people to want to learn, to want to stay motivated, to want to stay educated, and doing more with less. The material will be used to make carpet products and proceeds will help support the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County, a nonprofit that helps low-income families in Eugene, Ore. MCMAHON: In thinking of the words that Ben Franklin made when he walked out of the room after signing the Declaration of Independence and a lady asked him, what have you given us, Dr. Franklin? But, again, it's often one step forward, two steps back. Lebo says she was let go from her job at the power company after five years because she missed too much work. During Readings peak in the 1930s, more than 110,000 people lived there. There's plenty of organized activity, computer training and homework help. Like, walking to school, they see different some of their friends that don't go to school and get caught up in some of the stuff that is going on, on the streets. Now It Knows Just How Poor. As a result, Lehighton ranks as the number 9 most terrible place to live in Pennsylvania. That would be McKeesport. The modern economy has been less kind to the area. i can't tell you how many people i know that have moved here from new york and jersey simply for the fact that they can receive higher amounts of government assistance.you have thousands of women having 3 or 4 kids with 2 or 3 different men.you got parents who will try they're hardest to get they're child diagnosed with add just to collect more government assistance.i know women that have lost custody of all 4 of her children yet she collects food stamps for 4 children.so i don't wanna hear the pissing and moaning from anyone in that city because half the folks eat better then a lower class family that actually works for a living.i know guys on welfare who will get an interview at coca cola and before the employee can say a sentence.the guy will stop him and say look? We broke crime down into violent crime and property crime to give violent crime a larger weight if you did a simple calculation of all crimes per capita, property crimes are normally 7x more common and really bias that ranking. Youse could find a much better place to call home. Rich people more your cup of tea? If youre looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America. Now, its a mess. It's a number that weighs heavily on Reading's mayor, Thomas McMahon, who joins me now. Its jobs base, grounded in the manufacturing of telecommunications equipment and automobile parts, was starting to disappear. 4:14 4-Minute Listen Playlist Download Embed Transcript Melissa Block speaks with Reading, Pa., Mayor Thomas McMahon about the recent U.S. Census Poverty Report that ranks Reading as. You have got to move out of Reading to get a future. Just clear tips and lifehacks for every day, Readings poverty rate in the 2018 five-year American Community Survey showed that 35.4% of the citys residents were below the poverty line, or less than the infamous 41.3% from 2011, when Reading was declared the poorest small city in the nation.. It's a poor city. Heres the 20 largest U.S. cities with the highest poverty rates: Below youll find a table of all U.S. cities with populations of at least 100,000 and their respective poverty rates for 2019 and 2014, as well as the five-year change in their population living below the poverty line. @media(min-width:0px){#div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-banner-1-0-asloaded{max-width:300px!important;max-height:250px!important}}if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'roadsnacks_net-banner-1','ezslot_2',604,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-roadsnacks_net-banner-1-0'); Its very poor and theres VERY little opportunities for work. My City Photos Meghan Gonzales, 25, a mother of four, lived in a homeless shelter in Reading, Pa., a few years ago. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates, we analyzed nearly 30,000 U.S. cities, towns, villages, boroughs and Census-Designated Places (CDPs).