According to PropertyClub, Movoto, and RoadSnacks, Portsmouth, Virginia has been ranked as the worst city to live in Virginia. The city has a lot of crime, and the rate of violent crime is 228% higher than the average for the state of Virginia. There is a 1 in 19 chance that residents will become victims of any type of crime.
Portsmouth is a city that doesn’t have a lot of money. The average household income is lower than the average income in the state. The city has a lot of people who don’t have jobs and many residents who are living in poverty. Portsmouth is dealing with several difficulties, including a high crime rate, poverty, a decreasing population, and a shrinking tax base. The city has had to reduce important services like education and public safety due to the situation.
Portsmouth is a lively and diverse city with a long history and rich culture, even though it has some difficulties. Portsmouth has many interesting places to visit, such as the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Museum, the Children’s Museum of Virginia, and the Portsmouth Little Theatre. Portsmouth has several colleges and universities, such as Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College.
There are several reasons why this ranking is given to the city, such as its high crime rate, poverty, and decreasing population.
Crime
Portsmouth has a lot of crime, especially when it comes to property crime. In 2022, the city had a violent crime rate of 1,123.4 per 100,000 residents. This is 228% higher than the average violent crime rate in the state of Virginia. The city had a property crime rate of 19,290.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 232% higher than the state average.
The high crime rate in the city is a big worry for both residents and businesses. It becomes hard to bring in new people and businesses to the city, and it can also make it tough for current residents and businesses to succeed.
Poverty
Portsmouth is a city that doesn’t have a lot of money. The average household income in Portsmouth is $47,213, which is lower than the average income in the state of Virginia, which is $74,990. The city has a high poverty rate, meaning that 20.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
Poverty plays a big role in causing crime and other social problems. People who are poor often struggle to pay for things they need to live, like food and housing. This can result in feelings of desperation and can potentially lead to engaging in criminal activities. Being poor can also make it hard for people to get good education and healthcare, which can make the cycle of poverty continue.
Population decrease
The population of Portsmouth has been getting smaller for many years. The city had a population of 114,589 in 1960. In 2020, the number of people living in the city decreased to 97,915.
The decrease in population is caused by several factors, such as the city having a high crime rate, poverty, and a lack of economic opportunities. The decrease in population is also causing problems for the city to keep its tax base, resulting in reductions in important services.
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