Virginia is a state that has a lot of interesting history, pretty landscapes, and different cultures. However, some towns are more attractive to live in than others. Some of these places have a lot of crime, not many job opportunities, or problems with the environment. These are seven towns in Virginia that people are leaving as quickly as they can.
7 Virginia Towns Are Fleeing
Emporia
Emporia is a small city located in southern Virginia. Unfortunately, it is known for being the poorest city in the state. The median household income in Emporia is $25,742, which is less than half of the average income in the state. The poverty rate is very high at 40.5%, and the unemployment rate is 10.9%. Emporia has a lot of crime, especially violent crime. The rate of violent crime is 1,038 per 100,000 residents, which is more than four times the national average.
Martinsville
Martinsville is a city in southern Virginia that has been greatly affected by the decline of the textile and furniture industries. The city’s population has decreased by over 50% since 1980, and it now has approximately 12,000 residents. The average income for households in Martinsville is $28,793, and about 31.8% of the population lives in poverty. The percentage of people without jobs is 11.4%, and the city has one of the highest rates of opioid overdoses in the state.
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Marion
Marion is a town in the southwest of Virginia. It is famous for its historic downtown area and being close to the Appalachian Trail. However, the town has also been negatively affected by the decline in manufacturing jobs and the opioid epidemic. Marion has a lot of crime, especially violent crime. The rate of violent crime is 1,006 per 100,000 residents, which is more than four times the national average. The median household income in Marion is $32,551, which means that half of the households earn more than this amount and half earn less. The poverty rate in Marion is 23.8%, indicating that nearly a quarter of the population is living below the poverty line. The percentage of people without jobs is 8.7%, and the town has one of the highest rates of drug overdoses in the state.
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Petersburg
Petersburg is a city in central Virginia. It has a lot of history from the Civil War and is also known for its African American culture. However, the city has also had to deal with many difficulties, like racial separation, deterioration of urban areas, and problems with managing money. Petersburg has a lot of crime, especially violent crime. The rate of violent crime is 1,036 per 100,000 residents, which is more than four times the national average. The typical income for households in Petersburg is $35,528, and about 27.9% of the population lives in poverty. In addition, the city has a low level of education, as only 15.6% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Hopewell
Hopewell is a city in central Virginia that has a reputation for having issues with pollution from its industries and environmental concerns. The city has many chemical plants, paper mills, and power plants. Unfortunately, these facilities have caused pollution in the air, water, and soil. Hopewell is known by two nicknames: the “Chemical Capital of the South” and the “City of Smokestacks”. The city has a lot of crime, with a violent crime rate of 1,019 per 100,000 residents. This is more than four times the national average. The average income for households in Hopewell is $41,305, and about 19.6% of the population lives in poverty.
Danville
Danville is a city in southern Virginia that used to be a busy place for growing tobacco and making textiles. However, the city has been going through a long period of decline since the 1980s. During this time, many of its factories closed down or relocated to other countries. Danville has a lot of crime, especially violent crime. The rate of violent crime is 1,019 per 100,000 residents, which is more than four times the national average. The average income for households in Danville is $34,951, and about 25.9% of the population lives in poverty. The percentage of people without jobs is 9.8%, and the city has one of the lowest average home prices in the state.
Roanoke
Roanoke is a city in western Virginia. It is famous for its beautiful location in the Blue Ridge Mountains and its cultural attractions. However, living in the city can have some disadvantages, like expensive costs, a lower quality of life, and limited economic variety. Roanoke has a lot of crime, with a violent crime rate of 1,015 per 100,000 residents. This is more than four times the national average. The median household income in Roanoke is $41,483, which means that half of the households earn less than this amount and half earn more. The poverty rate in Roanoke is 21.9%, indicating that about one-fifth of the population lives below the poverty line. The city has a high tax burden. The property tax rate is $1.22 for every $100 of assessed value.
In summary
People are leaving these Virginia towns as quickly as they can. People leave for different reasons, like high crime rates, low income, lack of education, or environmental problems. Although these towns may have some good aspects, they are not sufficient to outweigh the negatives. As a result, many people who live here are searching for better chances in other places.
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