Special Report

Fastest Shrinking Place in Every State

Thomas Bullock / Getty Images

U.S. population growth slowed to just 0.6% in 2018 — the lowest growth rate in 80 years.  The last time the annual population growth was this low, the nation was in the throes of the Great Depression, when job opportunities were limited and there was little optimism about the future.

While the national population growth just hit a historic low, there are towns and cities across the country where even a small 0.6% population bump would be a welcome change. In these places, population decline has been a defining demographic trend for years. 

24/7 Wall St. reviewed population changes between 2010 and 2017 in nearly 15,000 cities, towns, villages, and Census designated places to identify the fastest shrinking place in every state. We only considered areas with populations of at least 1,000. To ensure accuracy, we did not consider places where the margin of error for population was greater than 10%. All data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey

National population growth is slowing primarily because the country’s population is aging. This also appears to be a factor in many of the cities and towns on this list.

In the fastest shrinking town in 38 states, the median age exceeds the national median of 37.8 years. Similarly, in the vast majority of places on this list, the share of residents 65 and older is greater than the comparable share statewide. While these places tend to have large shares of retirement-age residents, they are not necessarily the places with the oldest populations in their state. These are the oldest counties in every state

Just like during the Great Depression, when population growth slowed nationwide, in many of these areas, economic conditions are lagging. In the majority of cities and towns on this list, the median household income is lower than it is across their respective state as a whole. This is in stark contrast to the fastest growing place in every state — which tend to be relatively affluent areas.

Click here to see the fastest shrinking place in every state
Click here to see the fastest growing place in every state
Click here to read our methodology

NNehring / Getty Images

1. Alabama: Tuskegee
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.1% (state: +2.9%)
> Median household income: $27,314 (state: $46,472)
> Annual unemployment: 10.1% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 8,852

See all stories featuring: Alabama

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adeladime / Getty Images

2. Alaska: Valdez
> 2010-2017 population change: -0.4% (state: +6.9%)
> Median household income: $94,003 (state: $76,114)
> Annual unemployment: 6.5% (state: 5.2%)
> Total population: 3,921

See all stories featuring: Alaska

Courtesy of Google Maps 2016

3. Arizona: New Kingman-Butler
> 2010-2017 population change: -9.9% (state: +9.0%)
> Median household income: $31,923 (state: $53,510)
> Annual unemployment: 9.3% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 13,060

See all stories featuring: Arizona

Brandonrush / Wikimedia Commons

4. Arkansas: Brinkley
> 2010-2017 population change: -14.1% (state: +3.7%)
> Median household income: $31,694 (state: $43,813)
> Annual unemployment: 5.5% (state: 3.6%)
> Total population: 2,854

See all stories featuring: Arkansas

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David Wilson / Flickr

5. California: Willowbrook
> 2010-2017 population change: -35.6% (state: +6.4%)
> Median household income: $40,279 (state: $67,169)
> Annual unemployment: 7.3% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 22,654

See all stories featuring: California

AndreyKrav / Getty Images

6. Colorado: Air Force Academy
> 2010-2017 population change: -26.1% (state: +11.2%)
> Median household income: $70,179 (state: $65,458)
> Annual unemployment: 0.3% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 6,098

See all stories featuring: Colorado

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Courtesy of Google Maps 2017

7. Connecticut: Pawcatuck
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.8% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $57,780 (state: $73,781)
> Annual unemployment: 5.2% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 4,999

See all stories featuring: Connecticut

Courtesy of Google Maps 2018

8. Delaware: North Star
> 2010-2017 population change: -6.8% (state: +7.1%)
> Median household income: $141,618 (state: $63,036)
> Annual unemployment: 1.3% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 7,390

See all stories featuring: Delaware

Courtesy of Google Maps 2019

9. Florida: Zephyrhills West
> 2010-2017 population change: -19.2% (state: +9.5%)
> Median household income: $33,558 (state: $50,883)
> Annual unemployment: 3.1% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 4,734

See all stories featuring: Florida

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Jud McCranie / Wikimedia Commons

10. Georgia: Reidsville
> 2010-2017 population change: -38.2% (state: +7.7%)
> Median household income: $24,500 (state: $52,977)
> Annual unemployment: 1.6% (state: 4.7%)
> Total population: 2,652

See all stories featuring: Georgia

TiannaChantal / Getty Images

11. Hawaii: Ahuimanu
> 2010-2017 population change: -17.2% (state: +6.6%)
> Median household income: $103,825 (state: $74,923)
> Annual unemployment: 2.8% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 8,085

See all stories featuring: Hawaii

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jaypetersen / Getty Images

12. Idaho: Kamiah
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.3% (state: +8.6%)
> Median household income: $36,905 (state: $50,985)
> Annual unemployment: 5.3% (state: 3.3%)
> Total population: 1,267

See all stories featuring: Idaho

Visviva / Wikimedia Commons

13. Illinois: Mount Carroll
> 2010-2017 population change: -19.1% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $42,404 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 3% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 1,475

See all stories featuring: Illinois

Courtesy of Google Maps 2019

14. Indiana: Shorewood Forest
> 2010-2017 population change: -16.7% (state: +3.1%)
> Median household income: $102,950 (state: $52,182)
> Annual unemployment: 1% (state: 3.9%)
> Total population: 2,512

See all stories featuring: Indiana

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Courtesy of Google Maps 2018

15. Iowa: Reinbeck
> 2010-2017 population change: -17.1% (state: +3.4%)
> Median household income: $59,453 (state: $56,570)
> Annual unemployment: 4% (state: 2.8%)
> Total population: 1,628

See all stories featuring: Iowa

shannonpatrick17 / Flickr

16. Kansas: Belleville
> 2010-2017 population change: -15.9% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $42,406 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 4.5% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 42,283

See all stories featuring: Kansas

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80038275@N00 / Flickr

17. Kentucky: Fort Knox
> 2010-2017 population change: -23.8% (state: +3.2%)
> Median household income: $55,196 (state: $46,535)
> Annual unemployment: 1.6% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 9,092

See all stories featuring: Kentucky

Courtesy of Google Maps 2018

18. Louisiana: Jefferson
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.1% (state: +5.3%)
> Median household income: $46,199 (state: $46,710)
> Annual unemployment: 3.8% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 10,469

See all stories featuring: Louisiana

joeshlabotnik / Flickr

19. Maine: Madawaska
> 2010-2017 population change: -18.4% (state: +0.2%)
> Median household income: $37,753 (state: $53,024)
> Annual unemployment: 0% (state: 3.3%)
> Total population: 2,816

See all stories featuring: Maine

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paytonc / Flickr

20. Maryland: Friendship Heights Village
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.4% (state: +5.3%)
> Median household income: $92,593 (state: $78,916)
> Annual unemployment: 2.6% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 5,051

See all stories featuring: Maryland

John Phelan / Wikimedia Commons

21. Massachusetts: North Scituate
> 2010-2017 population change: -11.0% (state: +4.8%)
> Median household income: $104,159 (state: $74,167)
> Annual unemployment: 4% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 4,890

See all stories featuring: Massachusetts

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Courtesy of Google Maps 2019

22. Michigan: Beecher
> 2010-2017 population change: -19.9% (state: -0.3%)
> Median household income: $23,856 (state: $52,668)
> Annual unemployment: 11.3% (state: 4.5%)
> Total population: 9,490

See all stories featuring: Michigan

Jake DeGroot / Wikimedia Commons

23. Minnesota: Appleton
> 2010-2017 population change: -33.5% (state: +4.7%)
> Median household income: $35,300 (state: $65,699)
> Annual unemployment: 5.6% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 1,449

See all stories featuring: Minnesota

rruntsch / Getty Images

24. Mississippi: Winona
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.3% (state: +4.7%)
> Median household income: $43,551 (state: $65,699)
> Annual unemployment: 4.8% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 27,153

See all stories featuring: Mississippi

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Courtesy of Google Maps 2012

25. Missouri: Spanish Lake
> 2010-2017 population change: -15.1% (state: +2.6%)
> Median household income: $37,929 (state: $51,542)
> Annual unemployment: 10.6% (state: 3.6%)
> Total population: 18,511

See all stories featuring: Missouri

137837832@N07 / Flickr

26. Montana: Malmstrom AFB
> 2010-2017 population change: -18.5% (state: +5.8%)
> Median household income: $48,787 (state: $50,801)
> Annual unemployment: 1.8% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 3,929

See all stories featuring: Montana

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shannonpatrick17 / Flickr

27. Nebraska: Fairbury
> 2010-2017 population change: -6.3% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $42,808 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 3.2% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 3,558

See all stories featuring: Nebraska

jmoor17 / Getty Images

28. Nevada: Hawthorne
> 2010-2017 population change: -26.1% (state: +9.7%)
> Median household income: $42,250 (state: $55,434)
> Annual unemployment: 11.4% (state: 5.1%)
> Total population: 2,689

See all stories featuring: Nevada

DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

29. New Hampshire: Exeter
> 2010-2017 population change: -3.4% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $66,412 (state: $71,305)
> Annual unemployment: 3.2% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 9,130

See all stories featuring: New Hampshire

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Courtesy of Google Maps 2014

30. New Jersey: Leisure Village East
> 2010-2017 population change: -24.4% (state: +2.7%)
> Median household income: $43,915 (state: $76,475)
> Annual unemployment: 3.6% (state: 4.6%)
> Total population: 3,526

See all stories featuring: New Jersey

Jeff Black / Getty Images

31. New Mexico: Nambe
> 2010-2017 population change: -11.4% (state: +3.6%)
> Median household income: $45,750 (state: $46,718)
> Annual unemployment: 4.1% (state: 4.5%)
> Total population: 1,876

See all stories featuring: New Mexico

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nancykennedy / Getty Images

32. New York: West Point
> 2010-2017 population change: -30.8% (state: +3.0%)
> Median household income: $100,039 (state: $62,765)
> Annual unemployment: 0.5% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 6,536

See all stories featuring: New York

digidreamgrafix / Getty Images

33. North Carolina: Plymouth
> 2010-2017 population change: -8.0% (state: +8.4%)
> Median household income: $18,314 (state: $50,320)
> Annual unemployment: 4.5% (state: 4.4%)
> Total population: 3,599

See all stories featuring: North Carolina

afiler / Flickr

34. North Dakota: Carrington
> 2010-2017 population change: -9.5% (state: +13.0%)
> Median household income: $54,722 (state: $61,285)
> Annual unemployment: 0.1% (state: 1.9%)
> Total population: 1,923

See all stories featuring: North Dakota

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Vbofficial / Wikimedia Commons

35. Ohio: Wheelersburg
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.9% (state: +0.8%)
> Median household income: $52,500 (state: $52,407)
> Annual unemployment: 2% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 6,183

See all stories featuring: Ohio

Pigdogx / Wikimedia Commons

36. Oklahoma: Watonga
> 2010-2017 population change: -42.9% (state: +6.0%)
> Median household income: $51,891 (state: $49,767)
> Annual unemployment: 1.2% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 2,932

See all stories featuring: Oklahoma

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33671002@N00 / Flickr

37. Oregon: Altamont
> 2010-2017 population change: -6.9% (state: +7.0%)
> Median household income: $41,048 (state: $56,119)
> Annual unemployment: 5% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 18,975

See all stories featuring: Oregon

Courtesy of Google Maps 2011

38. Pennsylvania: West Wyomissing
> 2010-2017 population change: -18.9% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $62,612 (state: $56,951)
> Annual unemployment: 2.9% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 3,195

See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania

jjbers / Flickr

39. Rhode Island: Greenville
> 2010-2017 population change: -4.3% (state: +0.0%)
> Median household income: $77,219 (state: $61,043)
> Annual unemployment: 3.6% (state: 4.4%)
> Total population: 8,388

See all stories featuring: Rhode Island

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scguard / Flickr

40. South Carolina: Allendale
> 2010-2017 population change: -14.0% (state: +8.5%)
> Median household income: $19,420 (state: $48,781)
> Annual unemployment: 14.8% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 3,120

See all stories featuring: South Carolina

Harry Weddington, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Wikimedia Commons

41. South Dakota: Fort Thompson
> 2010-2017 population change: -11.0% (state: +7.0%)
> Median household income: $25,125 (state: $54,126)
> Annual unemployment: 9.4% (state: 2.6%)
> Total population: 1,271

See all stories featuring: South Dakota

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Colin1769 / Wikimedia Commons

42. Tennessee: Belle Meade
> 2010-2017 population change: -10.6% (state: +5.8%)
> Median household income: $195,000 (state: $48,708)
> Annual unemployment: 0.2% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 2,584

See all stories featuring: Tennessee

awsheffield / Flickr

43. Texas: San Elizario
> 2010-2017 population change: -35.5% (state: +12.8%)
> Median household income: $26,807 (state: $57,051)
> Annual unemployment: 6.3% (state: 3.7%)
> Total population: 9,213

See all stories featuring: Texas

kenlund / Flickr

44. Utah: Richmond
> 2010-2017 population change: -2.3% (state: +6.4%)
> Median household income: $61,045 (state: $67,169)
> Annual unemployment: 5.7% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 108,853

See all stories featuring: Utah

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DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

45. Vermont: St. Johnsbury
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.9% (state: +0.1%)
> Median household income: $36,958 (state: $57,808)
> Annual unemployment: 2.6% (state: 2.9%)
> Total population: 5,789

See all stories featuring: Vermont

sonicimac / Flickr

46. Virginia: Gloucester Point
> 2010-2017 population change: -10.7% (state: +6.7%)
> Median household income: $55,600 (state: $68,766)
> Annual unemployment: 1.9% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 9,291

See all stories featuring: Virginia

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rustejunk / Flickr

47. Washington: Davenport
> 2010-2017 population change: -22.4% (state: +9.5%)
> Median household income: $42,015 (state: $50,883)
> Annual unemployment: 2.4% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 3,665

See all stories featuring: Washington

Michelle Spooner

48. West Virginia: Bethlehem
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.1% (state: -0.2%)
> Median household income: $70,288 (state: $44,061)
> Annual unemployment: 3.5% (state: 3.8%)
> Total population: 2,459

See all stories featuring: West Virginia

Creative Commons / Wikimedia Commons

49. Wisconsin: Park Falls
> 2010-2017 population change: -15.2% (state: +2.2%)
> Median household income: $36,250 (state: $56,759)
> Annual unemployment: 1.7% (state: 3.1%)
> Total population: 2,294

See all stories featuring: Wisconsin

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alptraum / Getty Images

50. Wyoming: Thermopolis
> 2010-2017 population change: -5.8% (state: +6.9%)
> Median household income: $50,417 (state: $60,938)
> Annual unemployment: 2.3% (state: 3.1%)
> Total population: 2,935

See all stories featuring: Wyoming

Methodology

To identify the fastest-shrinking place in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed population change from 2010 to 2017 in nearly 15,000 cities, towns, villages, and Census designated places with populations of at least 1,000. We only considered places where the margin of error for population was less than 10%. All data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. We also reviewed data on median household income and annual unemployment for 2017 from the ACS.

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