This Oklahoma City Is Named as the Worst City to Reside in

Oklahoma is a state that boasts of its varied landscapes, cultural heritage, and hospitable people. However, certain areas within the state are not ideal for habitation due to various challenges that hinder the growth and development of the residents and discourage visitors. These challenges include high crime rates, low income levels, poor educational opportunities, and many others. In this article, we will explore the city in Oklahoma that has been identified as the least desirable to live in. This designation is based on a thorough evaluation of multiple factors and statistics.

The Criteria

To determine the city with the lowest livability in Oklahoma, we have carefully evaluated the following set of criteria:

- Violent Crime Rate: This measures the number of violent crimes (comprising murder, rape, robbery, and assault) per 100,000 people.
- Property Crime Rate: This gauges the number of property crimes (encompassing burglary, robbery, and motor vehicle theft) per 100,000 people.
- Unemployment Rate: It signifies the percentage of the labour force without employment.
- Poverty Rate: This quantifies the percentage of the population below the poverty line.
- Median Home Value: This indicates the median value of owner-occupied housing units.
- Median Household Income: This reflects the median income of households in the city.

We gathered the latest information from credible sources such as the FBI and the U.S. Census Bureau for our data. Based on these benchmarks, every city was assigned a score between 0 and 100, with 100 indicating the least desirable. The city with the highest score bears the unenviable distinction of being Oklahoma’s worst city to reside in.

The Worst City

Idabel, located in the southeastern region of Oklahoma and near the borders of Texas and Arkansas, has been designated the worst city for 2023. With a population of 6,879 residents, the town received a discouraging score of 89.5 out of 100. Various factors have contributed to this undesirable distinction of being the least favourable place to reside in Oklahoma.

- Idabel bears the ignominious distinction of boasting the highest violent crime rate in the state, registering 1,301 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. This translates to a staggering 1 in 77 odds of falling victim to a violent crime in Idabel, far surpassing the state average of 1,106 per 100,000 residents.
- The city also claims the highest property crime rate within the state, with 8,795 property crimes per 100,000 individuals. This disheartening statistic equates to a sobering 1 in 11 chance of being a victim of property crime in Idabel, a figure that far surpasses the state average of 4,977 per 100,000 residents.
- Furthermore, Idabel contends with the second-highest unemployment rate in the state, with 9.9% of its labour force grappling with unemployment. This rate significantly exceeds the state average of 5.4%.
- The city suffers from the third-highest poverty rate in the state, with a staggering 35.7% of its population living below the poverty line, a stark contrast to the state average of 15.6%.
- Idabel boasts the lowest median home value in the state, with properties valued at a meagre $54,800, well below the state average of $147,800.
- To compound matters further, the city wrestles with the fourth-lowest median household income in the state, with an average income of just $30,833, again trailing the state average of $54,449.

The Conclusion

After careful evaluation, we have concluded that Idabel is the most miniature ideal city throughout Oklahoma. The town faces daunting challenges, including high rates of crime, low-income levels, decreased property values, and elevated poverty and unemployment rates. Although living in Idabel may have some positive aspects, such as its natural beauty and cultural diversity, these advantages are unfortunately overshadowed by the prevailing difficulties. Therefore, we cannot recommend residing or visiting Idabel unless there is a compelling reason.

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