In 2022, the violent crime rate will drop to 172.3 per 100,000 residents, which is a big drop over the last ten years.
It was named one of the worst places to live in the United States. (PHOTO: News Break)
According to Money Inc, Rhode Island is known for its beautiful beaches, lively food and music scene, and complicated reality. There are many lovely towns, but some have high unemployment, crime, and poverty. This list of Rhode Island’s 20 worst places to live will help both new and old residents stay away from certain areas. Talking about the pros and cons of each state gives people looking for the best places to live a full picture.
1. Providence
Providence, Rhode Island, has 179,494 residents and a lively city life, despite some big problems. CBS News says the city has the 33rd worst traffic in the US, even though it has a lot of shops, bars, and fun things to do. One worry is that the 7.8% jobless rate is one of the highest in the state. The average family income is $45,610, which is much less than the national average, and the average home value is $200,300, which is one of the lowest in Rhode Island. There were 892 violent crimes and 3,011 property crimes per 100,000 people last year, including 106 rapes and 13 killings. These numbers are very scary. While Providence has many good points, it also has many problems that need to be solved as a whole.
2. Central Falls
It will be hard in Central Falls, Rhode Island, where 19,423 people live in less than 1.3 square miles. Central Falls has a lot of crime. In 2019, 24/7 Wall Street named it the worst city in Rhode Island. The 422 serious crimes and 1,487 property crimes in the city are evidence of its many problems. The region had a lot of financial issues, which a bankruptcy in 2011 made worse. In 2020, all of Central Falls’ high school’s teachers were fired, which showed how bad things were in the city. This city is having trouble with crime, the economy, and other problems that need to be fixed and brought back to life.
3. Bradford
Home Snacks shows a Bradford, Rhode Island, neighborhood that is having a hard time. The town has a lot of problems, like 15.8% poverty and 17.6% unemployment. The average home worth of $227,400 and the median income of $72,428 show that people in the area are having a hard time with money. These hard numbers show how bad Bradford’s economy is, which has led to more research and efforts by the community to make the town better.
4. Chepachet
Chepachet, Rhode Island, is a small town with only 1,530 people, but it has big problems. The city has a very high crime rate for its small population. There is a 1 in 201 chance of a serious crime happening, and a 1 in 33.2 chance of a property crime happening. These numbers, especially for such a small town, make the problem stand out. Even worse, 4.1% of people in Chepachet are unemployed, which is a problem because the town doesn’t have many jobs. Also, a lot of people there live in poverty. Because of these problems, Chepachet is a neighborhood that needs help and maybe even action to fix its own problems.
5. Harrisville
It’s easy to see why Harrisville, Rhode Island, is ranked as one of the worst small towns by Road Snacks. With a median income of $29,663, a 35.3% poverty rate, and an average house value of $180,300, the town has big money problems. These sad numbers show that everyone needs to work together to fix Harrisville’s resources. The town’s low ranking calls for a more in-depth look into what can be done to help its residents’ finances.
6. Warwick
There are 80,749 people living in Warwick, Rhode Island, but the city has a lot of problems. It’s scary that for every 100,000 people in the city, there are 94 serious crimes and 1,534 property crimes. The places are falling apart, and the schools in the area are some of the worst in the state. Another problem is that the job market isn’t very strong for a place that size. Warwick has a lot of problems, but a typical income of $66,602 is a sign of hope.
7. West Warwick
West Warwick, Rhode Island, has some of the same problems as the areas of Providence. Even though there were 238 thefts of property last year, the city’s serious crime rate is going up. There were 54 killings, rapes, and violent attacks in West Warwick last year, which made people worry about their safety. People who live in or visit this neighborhood area should be careful because violent crime is common there.
8. Narragansett Pier
Many tourists visit Narragansett Pier in Rhode Island, but there is a darker truth that comes to light. The town has one of the highest rates of poverty in the state, at 21.7%. This is despite how popular it is. The problems in the town are made worse by the fact that the median income is only $58,875, and the median home value is $542,200. This big discrepancy brings to light people’s money problems and calls for a closer look at how the town’s money works and takes action.
9. Lincoln
Lincoln, Rhode Island, is a small town outside of Providence. It has a major problem that makes it less appealing as a place to live. There are just under 22,000 people living in the town, and it’s easy to get to Boston and the state capital. However, there is a lot of crime there. With 114 serious crimes and 1,735 property crimes per 100,000 people, Lincoln is one of the most dangerous towns in Rhode Island. These scary numbers show that the community needs to pay attention quickly and work together on safety measures. This calls for a thorough study into the reasons for this sad difference.
10. Cranston
People who are worried about their safety might not want to go to Cranston, Rhode Island. The city is the eighth most dangerous in the state, even though it has 81,471 people living in it. There are 155 serious crimes and 1,362 property crimes per 100,000 people in Cranston, which is a big problem. Area Vibes says that only 33% of city dwellers feel safe at night. This could be because of the high crime rates. Because Cranston is one of the most risky towns in Rhode Island, its safety problems need to be looked at in more detail.
11. Warren
Even though crime, unemployment, and poverty are all going up, Warren, Rhode Island, wants to grow again. Warren has a lot of history and beautiful historical places, but its current problems take away from those. The city looks like a mess because crime, unemployment, and poverty are all going up. The fact that these problems need to be solved quickly through community support and activities makes it even more important to focus on Warren’s health and the positive change for its people.
12. Newport
It’s not all sunshine and beaches in Newport, Rhode Island. The city also has a darker side. Because the city is popular with tourists, criminals take advantage of that. This makes it a crime hotspot. Newport has a lot of crime. There are 276 serious crimes for every 100,000 people and 2,184 property crimes for every 100,000 people. The tourist season is good for business, but crime means that everyone in this beautiful seaside village needs to work together to keep everyone safe.
13. Woonsocket
As economic factors change, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, shows how low typical home prices can make a place less appealing. The average home value in the area is only $173,300, which is much lower than the national and state averages. This means that the community has more economic problems than just housing. The jobless rate in Woonsocket is 7.9%, which is the fourth highest in Rhode Island. The crime rate is also 50% higher than the state average, which is very scary. The city’s buildings are its saving grace, but low wages make it hard for people to get to and use them. As Woonsocket deals with its economic problems, it needs community-led efforts to solve people’s complicated problems.
14. Pascoag
Pascoag is a small town with only 4,594 people that faces many problems while remaining mostly unknown. Pascoag is in the middle of nowhere, and the only thing that makes it appealing is a troubling truth. People who live in and around the city are worried because there is a lot of crime and not much to do. The economy gets worse as unemployment rises to 6.6% and job growth stops. Rhode Island spends a lot on education, but the city’s schools show how people feel in general. With an average property value of $221,700, Pascoag has some of the lowest values in the state. This shows how many problems it has and how badly it needs to be fixed.
15. North Smithfield
Because of its scary image, North Smithfield, Rhode Island, made Only in Your State’s 2020 list of the 10 most dangerous cities in the state. The fact that residents have a 1 in 959 chance of being victims of violent crime makes the area dangerous. The city’s economy is bad because it doesn’t have enough buildings and well-paying work. It’s no surprise that North Smithfield home prices dropped to 34% below the Rhode Island average. This shows that people are having problems and calls for a more in-depth look at the city’s flaws.
16. Harmony
It’s not pretty, even though it’s called Harmony, Rhode Island. The city has one of the longest trips in the state, and the jobless rate is 7.6%, which means that a lot of people are having a hard time making ends meet. The rate of poverty in the city rises because of limited job opportunities and slow job growth. One out of every five houses in Harmony is empty, which shows that the city needs community-led solutions to fix its economic problems and bring it back to life.
17. Harrisville
In Harrisville, Rhode Island, a small town of 1,460 people, scary numbers take away from the small-town feel. The town’s low appeal is shown by the fact that the typical house’s value is only $180,300. Crime and jobless rates make the close-knit town look bad. Harrisville is one of the least highly populated areas in the state. There aren’t many things to do there, so people can sit on their chairs and dream of better times. The past of the town shows that it needs to be fixed up to make it more charming and better for living in.
18. Pawtucket
The story takes place in Pawtucket, a town of 71,844 people, and shows a sad mix of bad facilities, a few fun things to do, and rising crime. Residents have a shocking 1 in 43.8 chance of being a victim of property crime. Each year, 293 violent crimes happen, including 57 rapes and 47 robberies. It has one of the highest rates in the state, at 7.1%, in Pawtucket. Bad weather and a underfunded school system make the city’s problems worse. This combined picture shows how important it is for the community to take charge of solving Pawtucket’s complicated problems right away.
19. Valley Falls
There are some problems in Valley Falls, Rhode Island, but it’s not the worst place to live. Even though there isn’t much crime, unemployment, or poverty in the town, the real estate market is still bad. The average house worth of $239,000 shows that the area is not very appealing to people who want to live there. Even though $83,090 is a good income compared to the national average, it is the 18th lowest in the state, which shows how unequal the economy is. People who want well-paying work and a busy weekend scene might not like Valley Falls because it doesn’t have many fun things to do. These things show how important activities that focus on the community are for making towns better places to live.
20. Tiverton
Tiverton is a cute town with 7,804 residents, but it’s not one of the best places to live in Rhode Island because of a number of problems. Tiverton’s jobless rate of 6.4% is 11th in the state, but it’s not the worst. The average home worth of $258,800, which is the 15th lowest in Rhode Island, shows that the economy is in bad shape. There isn’t as much crime as in bigger towns, but people who live there are worried. These complicated problems in Tiverton show how important it is for the community to take action to fix economic problems and make places better places to live.
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