Saginaw may be a funny name for a city, but their population decline is no laughing matter! With a reported 4.5% fall in population over the last ten years, it’s one of Michigan’s largest declines. As we all know, crime can considerably diminish the quality of life in any city.
It goes without saying that crime goes hand in hand with poverty, so the best way to reduce crime is to provide more employment opportunities, with decent wages.
Watertown, New York
Overall, Watertown is an alright place to live, not terrible but not great either. Watertown is one of three cities in upstate New York to report near nation-leading population decline in the last nine years. Basically, 14,000 people moved out of the city than moved in.
The economy in Upstate New York lags behind most of the nation, and more people than usual decided to take the leap and move on out. Basically, people are leaving because they are overtaxed, overregulated, and property costs are too high.
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
North Carolina is such a beautiful state, known for its gorgeous weather as well as some of the nicest neighbors around, so why are there those who leave Rocky Mount while others are flocking to this state? In the last eight years, the state's population ballooned by 8.5%.
But Rocky Mount residents were more likely than other residents across the state to struggle financially, so of course, who could blame them for saying their goodbyes and clearing out to another town?
Elmira, New York
The vast majority of the people in Upstate NY live in smaller cities, take Elmira as an example, where even a small decline is profoundly felt. After losing a net of 4,644 residents, Elmira's population is 5% smaller now than in 2010.
There are the everyday burdens we all face, and then there are those burdens those in Elmira and to deal with. Since 2018, there were 2,424 fewer jobs in Elmira and the area's unemployment rate of 4.5% is well above the 3.9% national unemployment rate.
Decatur, Illinois
Decatur has been said to have a funky smell, which comes from the crops grown on farms and processed in its many agribusiness industries. This put Decatur on the map, so in a way, the city is lucky to have what you call funky smells, or is it? Those reeking smells didn't stop residents from leaving! Who wants to live in a smelly town?
Imagine every time you have guests over you have to apologize for the smell and explain how it's not you, it's the crops down yonder. They won't say anything, but they'll be thinking, "Sure it is..." with an unconvincing smile.