Arkansas is renowned for its affordable housing, welcoming population, and stunning scenery. But not every town in the state draws the same amount of locals and tourists. Certain towns are unappealing places to reside because of their high crime rates, limited economic opportunities, or environmental problems. These seven Arkansas towns are seeing a rapid exodus of residents.
1. Pine Bluff
Based on FBI data, Pine Bluff has the highest violent crime rate in Arkansas—1,993 per 100,000 residents—making it the most hazardous city in the state. In addition, the city has a low median household income of $31,944 and a high poverty rate of 28.6%. Pine Bluff’s population has been declining for many years, and by 2025, it is expected to have shrunk by an additional 8.5%.
2. West Memphis
West Memphis has a violent crime rate of 1,880 per 100,000 population, making it another criminally active city in Arkansas. The city, which is across the Mississippi River from Memphis, Tennessee, is plagued by gang violence and drug trafficking spillovers. In addition, West Memphis has a low median household income of $33,508 and a high poverty rate of 27.9%. The population of the city has decreased by 11.4% since 2010 and is predicted to do so again by 4.4% by 2025.
3. Blytheville
Blytheville is a small city close to the Missouri border in northeastern Arkansas. The city was formerly a major industrial center, but with the closing of several enterprises and military installations, it has declined. With a low median household income of $28,513, Blytheville has a high poverty rate of 32.5%. In addition, the city has a low rate of educational attainment—14.2 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher—and a high unemployment rate of 9.1%. The population of Blytheville has declined by 15.6% since 2010 and is expected to drop by 6.9% further by 2025.
4. Helena-West Helena
Situated near the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas, Helena-West Helena is a combined city-county. The city is well-known for its diverse cultural history, particularly in the realm of blues music. But the city also has to deal with a lot of issues, such high unemployment, poverty, and crime rates. With 1,566 violent crimes committed against every 100,000 individuals, Helena-West Helena has a 38.9% poverty rate and a median household income of $24,540. The population of the city has decreased by 12.8% since 2010 and is expected to do so again by 7.6% by 2025.
5. Camden
Southern Arkansas’s Camden is a city close to the Ouachita River. The city has suffered from the loss of numerous companies and jobs, despite formerly being a thriving hub of trade and manufacturing. Camden has a median household income of $29,645 and a poverty rate of 35.4%. In addition, the city has a low rate of educational attainment—13.4 percent for those with a bachelor’s degree or above—and a high unemployment rate of 8.6%. The population of Camden has decreased by 16.4% since 2010 and is predicted to drop by an additional 8.1% by 2025.
6. El Dorado
El Dorado is a city close to the Louisiana border in south central Arkansas. The city’s fortunes have declined since the 1980s oil bust, despite it having being a thriving oil town. El Dorado has a median family income of $37,506 and a poverty rate of 23.8%. In addition, the city has a low percentage of educational attainment (16.9%) for those with a bachelor’s degree or above, and a high unemployment rate (7.9%). The population of El Dorado is expected to decline by a further 5.6% by 2025, having already decreased by 10.5% since 2010.
7. Forrest City
Located close to the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas is the city of Forrest City. The production of agricultural products, particularly rice and soybeans, is well-known in the city. But the city also faces significant issues with unemployment, poverty, and crime. Forrest City has a poverty rate of 32.7 percent, a violent crime rate of 1,261 per 100,000 people, and a median household income of $27,864. In addition, the city has a low educational attainment rate of 12.9% for those with a bachelor’s degree or more, and a high unemployment rate of 9.3%. The population of Forrest City has decreased by 9.4% during 2010, and by 2025, it is predicted to drop by a further 5.3%.
Conclusion
People are leaving these seven Arkansas communities as quickly as possible for a variety of reasons, including environmental concerns, unemployment, poverty, and crime. These towns have been losing residents for a long time, and this trend is probably going to continue in the foreseeable future. Even while some of these towns might be able to recover, they will require a lot of funding, ingenuity, and teamwork to get beyond their obstacles and draw in new citizens and tourists.
