When deciding where to live in Mississippi, you will find that there are significant differences between each of the towns and cities. Each location has pros and cons, and they will appeal to different demographics. While the pros of some areas outweigh the cons, and they offer a fantastic lifestyle, other areas are less desirable. If an area is known to have a lot of issues, then it can deter people from living there. For example, places that have high crime rates, limited educational opportunities, high unemployment, and a lack of leisure activities are often considered undesirable. To help you choose where to live and where to avoid, here are the 20 worst places to live in Mississippi.
20. Gautier
Gautier is a town in Jackson County that is home to 18,563 people. The primary reason for Gautier’s inclusion on the list is its lack of safety, as it is the 12th most dangerous place to live in Mississippi. It has the ninth-most violent crimes and the 15th most property crimes in the state. There is also a lack of outdoor spaces to enjoy in this area. However, if you do not enjoy outdoor activities, and you can get past the safety issues, then there are many features of Gautier that offer residents a good lifestyle. It has highly-rated public schools, there are many family-oriented activities, the nightlife is lively, there is diversity within the community, and employment opportunities are varied.
19. D’Iberville
D’Iberville is a town in Harrison County with a population of 13,531 residents. It is only because D’Iberville has so many positive features that it does not rank higher on the list of the worst places to live in Mississippi. The statistic that lets this city down is the property crime rates, as D’Iberville has more property crimes than anywhere else in the state. A lack of employment diversity has also contributed to its position. The positive features of D’Iberville include above-average public schools, community diversity, a vibrant nightlife, and good commutability.
18. Pass Christian
Pass Christian has both pros and cons. The most significant negative feature of the city is the lack of safety, as crime rates are high. Overall, it is the 10th most dangerous place to live in the state. Another negative aspect of Pass Christian is the limited job market. In contrast, some of the area’s positive points include excellent public schools, varied leisure activities for people of all ages, and community diversity. Therefore, there are aspects of living in Pass Christian that are unappealing, but there are features that will appeal to some demographics.
17. Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County with a population of 46,521 people. As Hattiesburg is the ninth-most dangerous place to live in Mississippi, it is unsurprising that this location makes it onto the list of the worst places to live in the state. Another issue in Hattiesburg is a lack of diversity in the job market, and many people must travel to find work in their preferred sector. Fortunately, there are good transport links to the surrounding area. There are also many activities to enjoy in this area, including a vibrant nightlife.
16. West Point
It is violent crimes that deter people from living in West Point, as this location has the fourth-highest violent crime rate in the state. It also has the 13th most property crimes, and it is the eight-most dangerous place to live overall. Other issues include limited outdoor activities and a lack of job opportunities. Some of the area’s positive points include good transport links, community diversity, and a variety of family-oriented activities. West Point has 10,794 residents, and it is in Clay County.
15. Pascagoula
Pascagoula is a town in Jackson County that has a population of 21,865. Property crime is probably the biggest problem in Pascagoula, as it has the third-most property crimes in Mississippi. Although violent crimes are less of an issue, Pascagoula still has the 11th most violent crimes in the state. Overall, Pascagoula is the seventh-most dangerous place to live in Mississippi. Pascagoula also lacks employment opportunities across a variety of industries. However, there are also many positive features of this location that prevents it from ranking in the top ten worst places to live in Mississippi. It has highly-rated public schools, there are varied activities to enjoy in Pascagoula, and there are transport links to the surrounding area.
14. Brookhaven
One of the biggest issues in Brookhaven is a lack of safety, as it is the sixth-most dangerous place to live in the state. It has the fifth-highest violent crime rate and the ninth-highest property crime rate. However, there are many other problems in this city. There is a lack of leisure activities, the job market is weak, and the transport links are poor. On the other hand, the public schools are above-average, there is a lively nightlife, and the community is diverse.
13. Batesville
The fourth-most dangerous place to live in Mississippi is Batesville, which is a town in Panola County with a population of 7,303 people, says Niche. Along with a lack of safety, another issue is the limited leisure and entertainment options in the area. On the other hand, Batesville has some plus points, including above-average schools, good transport links, a diverse community, and job opportunities in various sectors.
12. Meridian
Safety is a huge concern in Meridian, as it has the second-highest violent crime rate and the eighth-most property crimes. Therefore, it ranks as the third-most dangerous place to live overall. Sadly, crime is not Meridian’s only issue, as it has below-average public schools and a weak job market. However, it also has many positive features, including a diverse community, a vibrant nightlife, and a range of outdoor activities.
11. Biloxi
The biggest surprise is that Biloxi does not rank higher on this list, as it is the most dangerous place to live in Mississippi. It has the second-most property crimes and the third-most violent crimes in the state. However, the positive features of this city in Harrison County, which is home to 45,568 people, prevent it from ranking higher. Biloxi has highly-rated public schools, community diversity, and many activities and attractions.
10. Laurel
One of the greatest problems that have landed Laurel in the 10th position on the list is the high crime rates, as this city is the second-most dangerous city in Mississippi. In terms of violent crime, it has the highest crime rates in the state, but it has only the seventh-most property crimes in Mississippi. Another issue is unemployment, as 10.2 percent of the population is out of work. Also, the public schools in Laurel are below average. However, Laurel has some positive points that prevent this town in Jones County from ranking higher on the list. For example, the community is diverse, there are varied housing options, and the transport links are good.
9. Gulfport
Gulfport is a city in Harrison County with a population of 71,570. Although crime is a reasonably significant problem in the area, the lack of job opportunities is probably more worrying. Approximately 11.5 percent of people are unemployed in this city, and the median household income is close to the poverty line. A combination of these factors means that Gulfport is considered an undesirable area.
8. Indianola
The primary reason Indianola is included as one of the worst places to live in Mississippi is the economic issues. It has the second-highest unemployment rate in the state, at 16.4 percent. Indianola also has the third-worst median home value, at $73,100, which indicates a lack of demand in the area’s housing market. Indianola is not a great option for families, as the public schools are underfunded and perform poorly, and there is a lack of activities for families to enjoy in the area.
7. Corinth
There are several reasons that Corinth sits in the seventh position on the list of the worst places to live in Mississippi. The first of these is the lack of employment opportunities, as it has the sixth-worst unemployment rate in the state at 13.4 percent. Crime is another problem, as there is a one in 26.5 chance of being robbed. A further issue is the lack of outdoor activities in the area. Corinth is a town in Alcorn County with a population of 14,647 people.
6. Picayune
A lack of employment opportunities is a big problem in Picayune, and 13.5 percent of the population are out of work. The median household income is significantly below the state average, so there are many people living close to the poverty line. Despite not ranking in the top 20 most dangerous places to live, crime is still considered an issue in this town in Pearl River County. A further issue is the lack of entertainment and leisure options for residents to enjoy.
5. Ripley
Ripley does not rank in the top 10 for any of the factors considered when deciding which areas of Mississippi are undesirable. However, it is in the fifth position on the list as it ranks consistently poorly across all areas, while other locations have both good and bad points. Ripley has the 19th lowest median home value and the 20th worst unemployment rate. There is also a lack of outdoor activities and nightlife for residents to enjoy in their free time. Ripley is a town in Tippah County with a population of 5,282 people.
4. Kosciusko
Crime rates contribute to Kosciusko’s position on this list, as it is the 13th most dangerous place to live in Mississippi. Violent crimes are the greater issue, as this location has the sixth-most violent crimes in the state, while it only has the 20th most property crimes. Unfortunately, crime is not the only issue in Kosciusko. It also has the seventh-highest unemployment rate at 13.1 percent and the 10th worst median house value.
3. Holly Springs
Holly Springs is another location where the area’s economic issues are what have landed it on this list. Families who live in Holly Springs have a median household income that is lower than anywhere else in the state, and 9.6 percent of the population are unemployed. Holly Springs has the ninth-worst median home value at $85,500. On the other hand, many families consider Holly Springs a great place to live, as there are many activities for families, and the public schools are highly-rated.
2. Louisville
Although Louisville is not in the 20 most dangerous places to live in Mississippi, there is still a one in 26.5 chance of being robbed. However, crime is not the main reason that Louisville is so high on the list, as economic issues are a far greater problem. The unemployment rate is 12.3 percent, and the median household income is just above the poverty line. Louisville also has the 12th worst median home value at $86,900, which is an indicator that there is a lack of demand in the area. If you enjoy going out in the evenings, then you may find Louisville disappointing, as there is not much nightlife in this town in Winston County.
1. Forest
According to Road Snacks, the worst place to live in Mississippi is Forest. Economic issues are the primary reason that this location has landed in the top position. It is home to 5,668 residents, and 6.2 percent of the population are unemployed. Those who work do not have it much better, as the median household income is barely above the poverty line. Although it is not in the top 20 locations in terms of crime rates, crime is still an issue, as Forest has the 26th highest crime rate in the state. Furthermore, there is not much for residents to enjoy in their free time, as the entertainment and leisure options are limited.
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