Flint’s water pollution problems have put the city at the center of the nation’s attention. The primary cause corroding pipes and water with high lead content. The source–the Flint River. Flint’s deep problems range well beyond the water. By many measures, it is the worst U.S. city to live in .
24/7 Wall St. has done a number stories which analyze cities, and among them are several mentions of Flint.
In America’s Ghost Towns, Flint was 7th among the most troubled American cities, based on data from RealtyTrac and the U.S. Census
Flint, Michigan
> Vacancy rate: 16.2%
> Vacant properties: 9,699
> Total residential properties: 59,767
> Median home value: $41,700Famously depicted in Michael Moore’s 1989 documentary “Roger & Me,” which examined the local effects of General Motors factory layoffs, few U.S. cities have a larger share of vacant homes than Flint, Michigan. Nearly one in every six homes in Flint is effectively abandoned. Once home to 114,374 people in 2009, the city’s population has dwindled to its current level of 101,649, roughly an 11% decline. Economic stagnation may not be the only reason people are leaving Flint. There is currently a class action lawsuit against the city for switching to a poisonous and inadequately treated water supply in a cost cutting measure.
In the 24/7 Wall St. Least Healthy City In Every State, based on length of life, quality of life, and longevity, Flint was the worst among Michigan cities:
Flint, Michigan
> Pct. without health insurance: 9.4%
> Pct. food insecure: 9.0%
> Obesity rate: 36.9%
> 2014 unemployment rate: 7.8%Nearly 19% of adults living in Flint reported fair or poor health versus 14.3% of Michigan residents and 16% of all Americans. At least some of the adults reporting less than optimal health were likely among the area’s obese population, which made up nearly 37% of residents. This was far higher than the state’s obesity rate of 31.6% and in stark contrast with the national rate of 28.3%. Less than 10% of Flint residents did not have health insurance, although the strong coverage has not significantly lowered the incidence of premature death. An estimated 9,092 years are lost per 100,000 people each year due to premature deaths, versus the state and national estimates of 7,218 and 6,622.
In 24/7 Wall St.’s Fastest Shrinking Cities, based on drop in population in the relationship of this to birth rates, unemployment, GDP per capita, among others, Flint ranked 4th worst among cities 10:
Flint, MI
> Population growth (2010-2014): -2.8%
> Total population: 415,376
> Per capita income: $28,773
> Unemployment rate: 9.6%About 415,400 people lived in the Flint metro area last year, one of the higher metro area populations reviewed and the highest on the list of shrinking cities. Flint also had among the largest nominal drops in population, declining by nearly 13,000 from 2010 to 2014, or 2.8%, the fourth largest percentage decline nationwide. As in many regions in the Midwest, particularly in Michigan, the manufacturing industry in Flint has been declining for decades. This may account for part of the population decline as area residents are more likely to pursue work elsewhere and the area is less attractive to newcomers. In 2010, nearly 14% of Flint’s workforce was unemployed. The rate fell to 9.6% in 2013, but was still considerably higher than the national rate that year. As of December of last year, the unemployment rate had fallen to 5.7%, only slightly higher than the national rate of 5.6%.
Among the 24/7 Wall St. American Coldest Cities based on NOAA data, Flint ranked 47th:
Flint, Michigan
> Average monthly minimum temperature: 15.3 F
> Average monthly maximum temperature: 59.2 F
> Population: 101,649
> Average annual snowfall: 46.8 in.
Eventually, Flint’s water pollution problem will be resolved. No so, a number of other serious issues.
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