Massachusetts is known for its well-known universities, world-class hospitals, and thriving businesses. The state has a lot of history, culture, and a strong economy. It’s a dynamic state with a lot to give because its people are of many races, languages, and religions and are very active.
But not every city in Massachusetts is equally appealing to people who want to live there. Some people have problems like high crime rates, low incomes, not enough educational tools, and other problems that make them less desirable overall. A new report says that this city is the worst place to live in Massachusetts. In this article, we will look into why this is the case.
Which Massachusetts city is the worst place to live?
A report from 24/7 Wall St., a website that covers financial news and opinion, says that Webster is the worst place in Massachusetts to live in. Webster is a cute town in Worcester County, close to the border with Connecticut. It has a long past, as it was founded in 1832 by Samuel Slater, who was one of the first people in the United States to make textiles.
Webster was at its best when it was a busy mill town that made clothes, shoes, and machines. But the loss of industrial jobs in the area has hurt Webster, making it harder for the town’s economy and lowering the quality of life for its people.
Why is Massachusetts’s Webster the worst place to live?
The 24/7 Wall St. report chose the worst city to live in each state by looking at housing prices, poverty rates, drug-related deaths, and crime rates, among other things. Webster did badly in all of these areas, which is why it is known as the worst place to live in Massachusetts. Here are some reasons why Webster’s difference isn’t very good:
- Cost of housing: The median home value in Webster is $213,400, which is less than the median home value in the state, which is $418,600. However, this does not mean that the homes are affordable. Webster’s typical household income is only $49,063, which is a lot less than the state median of $85,843. Because of this, a lot of people have trouble paying their rent or mortgage. In fact, 38.4% of landlords and 58.9% of renters say they can’t afford their rent or mortgage.
- Crime rates: The crime rate in Webster is 16.8%, which is higher than the state rate of 9.4%. This means that more than one in six people in Webster live below the federal poverty line, which hurts their health, schooling, and ability to move up in society.
- Drug deaths: The death rate from a drug overdose in Webster is 34.6 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state rate of 28.2 per 100,000 people. This shows that Webster has a big problem with drug abuse and addiction, especially with opioids, which were responsible for 88% of all drug overdose deaths in Massachusetts in 2019.
- Crime rates: Webster has a higher rate of violent crime than the rest of the state, at 1,016 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Residents are very worried about this higher chance of violent crimes. Also, Webster has a property crime rate of 2,230 per 100,000 people, which is higher than the state rate of 1,362 per 100,000 people. This means that property-related crimes are more likely to happen.
How can Webster be made better?
Being named the worst city in Massachusetts isn’t a fixed thing for Webster. There are good things about the town that can be used to make it better. Here are some possible next steps:
- Historic heritage: Webster can protect and promote its historic buildings and landmarks by drawing on its long past as a mill town and a cultural hub for Polish immigrants. Showcase places like the Samuel Slater Museum and the Polish American Veterans Memorial to bring in guests and make locals feel proud.
- Resources for the community: The Webster-Dudley Food Share, the Webster Public Library, and the Webster Public Schools are all resources that can be improved to better serve the community and promote social cohesion and civic involvement.
- Economic development: The Webster Industrial Park, the Webster Redevelopment Authority, and the Webster Economic Development Corporation are all opportunities for economic growth and innovation in Webster. These can be backed and coordinated even more to make the city’s economy grow.
In conclusion
24/7 Wall St. called Webster the worst place to live in Massachusetts, and the city has a lot of problems. Even so, the town’s historic past, community tools, and economic potential can help make things better. Taking care of these problems and building on these skills can improve the quality of life for everyone in Webster, including visitors.