Youngstown on list of '50 worst American cities to live in'

An internet publisher of financial news and opinion has placed Youngstown and two other Ohio communities on a list titled “50 Worst American Cities to Live In”.

24/7 Wall St. says it reviewed data on the 551 U.S. cities with a population of 65,000 or more as measured by the U.S. Census Bureau. Based on a range of variables, including crime rates, employment growth, access to restaurants and attractions, educational attainment, and housing affordability.

24/7 Wall St. placed Youngstown at number 21 of America's worst cities to live.

The article says “Youngstown is emblematic of the decline and urban decay that has taken hold in many Midwestern cities since the industry collapsed in the latter half of the 20^th century.”

Noting a steady population decline and a poverty rate of nearly 36%, the writers say that the typical household in Youngstown earns less than half of the national median of $55,775.

Youngstown's ranking is also based on having good air quality for 338 days per year, less than the U.S. Average.

Cincinnati came in at 25 on the list. Canton is 20^th.

The worst city, according to 24/7 Wall St. is Detroit with a 40% poverty rate, a rate of violent crime, and the lowest median home value of any city other than Flint, Michigan.

More of the article and information on how 24/7 Wall St. reached its conclusions is available here