Indiana is home to an abundance of notable landmarks, including the picturesque Indiana Dunes National Park, the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, and the renowned Indianapolis Motor Speedway. However, not every region in Indiana possesses the same level of desirability for human habitation. According to a study conducted by RoadSnacks in 2023, Terre Haute is identified as the least desirable municipality in the state of Indiana.
What Makes Terre Haute, Indiana, the Least Desirable City?
Terre Haute, situated in Vigo County and boasting a populace of 60,604, is in close proximity to the Illinois border and the Wabash River. Cultural and academic institutions, such as Indiana State University and the Swope Art Museum, are located in this area. Regrettably, the city’s inadequate income standards, staggering crime rates, and poverty levels overshadow its positive attributes.
Terre Haute is identified as the most perilous city in Indiana, with a violent crime rate of 1,381 per 100,000 residents, as reported by RoadSnacks. The rate of property crimes also skyrockets to 4,762 per 100,000 individuals. The recorded figures exhibit a substantial increase in comparison to the statewide mean values of 2,306 for property crime and 348 for violent crime.
Terre Haute is confronted with a significant poverty rate of 25.9%, which is nearly double the statewide average of 13.1%. Terre Haute exhibits a significantly lesser median household income of $36,721, which is in stark contrast to the state median of $57,603. The aforementioned financial burden poses a significant obstacle for inhabitants in meeting fundamental necessities and sustaining a respectable standard of living.
Exist any additional cities in Indiana that face comparable obstacles?
Terre Haute, similar to other cities in Indiana, exhibits subpar performance across a range of livability indicators. Additionally, RoadSnacks has identified the following cities as being among the least desirable locations to reside in Indiana:
South Bend is ranked as the second most hazardous municipality in Indiana, boasting property crime and violent crime rates of 1,321 and 3,994 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. In addition, South Bend grapples with a median household income of $40,420 and a high poverty rate of 23.6%.
Elkhart, which ranks third on the list of the least desirable communities in Indiana, is afflicted by property and violent crime rates of 5,058 per 100,000 residents and 1,038 per 100,000 residents, respectively. Additionally, it is afflicted by a significant poverty rate of 20.8% and a median household income of $41,278.
Evansville, Indiana, is classified as the fourth most hazardous municipality due to its property crime rate of 5,307 per 100,000 residents and violent crime rate of 1,006 per 100,000 residents. The region is afflicted by a substantial poverty rate of 19.8% and a median household income of $40,765.
Ranking fifth among the most hazardous municipalities in Indiana, Michigan City exhibits a property crime rate of 5,286 per 100,000 residents and a violent crime rate of 984 per 100,000 residents. The region discloses a considerable poverty rate of 22.7% and a median income of $39,964 per household.
To Conclude
Indiana presents a wide array of opportunities and attractions for its visitors and residents alike. Nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge that not every region of Indiana is equally habitable. RoadSnacks has ranked Terre Haute as the least desirable city in Indiana for residential purposes in its 2023 study. Due to its high levels of crime, destitution, and low income standards, the city is perceived by many as a less secure and cost-effective alternative. Similar obstacles which affect the quality of life in their entirety are faced by additional communities, such as South Bend, Elkhart, Evansville, and Michigan City.
