Nebraska is a state with many attractions, such as the Omaha Zoo, the Henry Doorly Zoo, the Scotts Bluff National Monument, and the Nebraska State Capitol. However, not all places in Nebraska offer a good quality of life for their residents. Some cities have high crime rates, low incomes, poor schools, and limited entertainment options.
Based on a weighted index of two-dozen social and economic measures, 24/7 Wall St. identified the worst place to live in every state. The worst city to live in Nebraska is Scottsbluff, located in western Nebraska.
Why Scottsbluff is the Worst City to Live in Nebraska
Scottsbluff is a city of 14,887 people in Scotts Bluff County. It is the largest city in Nebraska’s panhandle region and the principal city of the Scottsbluff Micropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Scotts Bluff, a prominent landmark that rises above the North Platte River. Scottsbluff was founded in 1900 as a railroad town and grew as a trade and service center for the surrounding agricultural area.
However, Scottsbluff has many problems that make it an undesirable place to live. According to the FBI, Scottsbluff has the second-highest crime rate in Nebraska, with 1,049 violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents in 2019.
The national average crime rate is 367 per 100,000 residents. Scottsbluff also has a high poverty rate of 18.4%, compared to the state average of 10.4% and the national average of 13.4%. The median household income in Scottsbluff is $41,518, which is lower than the state median of $63,229 and the national median of $62,843.
Scottsbluff also suffers from a lack of educational and economic opportunities. The city has a low high school graduation rate of 83.7%, compared to the state average of 90.2% and the national average of 88.6%. The city also has a low college attainment rate of 19.9%, compared to the state average of 31.5% and the national average of 32.6%. The unemployment rate in Scottsbluff is 4.1%, which is higher than the state average of 3.1% and the national average of 3.7%. The city also has a low job growth rate of -0.2%, compared to the state average of 0.9% and the national average of 1.6%.
Scottsbluff also lacks cultural and recreational amenities that enhance the quality of life. The city has a low arts, entertainment, and recreation spending per capita of $67, compared to the state average of $116 and the national average of $227.
The city also has a low number of restaurants, bars, libraries, museums, and parks per capita, compared to the state and national averages. The city has a low walk score of 38, which means that most errands require a car. The city also has a low bike score of 38, which means that biking is not convenient for most trips.
Conclusion
Scottsbluff is the worst city to live in Nebraska, according to 24/7 Wall St. The city has high crime rates, low incomes, high poverty rates, low educational attainment, low economic opportunities, and low cultural and recreational amenities. Scottsbluff does not offer a good quality of life for its residents, and it is not a desirable place to move to. Scottsbluff needs to address its social and economic challenges and improve its livability factors to become a better place to live in Nebraska.