South Dakota is a state with many attractions, such as Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, and the Black Hills. However, not every city in South Dakota is a desirable place to live. According to a recent study by RoadSnacks, a website that ranks cities based on various criteria, the worst city to live in South Dakota is Mitchell.
Why Mitchell is the worst city in South Dakota
The study by RoadSnacks used data from the U.S. Census, the FBI, and other sources to rank the cities in South Dakota based on factors such as crime, poverty, unemployment, education, and amenities. Mitchell scored poorly on most of these factors, making it the worst city to live in South Dakota.
Some of the statistics that contributed to Mitchell’s low ranking are:
Mitchell has a crime rate that is 56% higher than the national average, and 36% higher than the state average.
Mitchell has a poverty rate of 15.4%, which is higher than the national average of 13.4%, and the state average of 12.9%.
Mitchell has an unemployment rate of 5.3%, which is higher than the national average of 3.7%, and the state average of 3.4%.
Mitchell has a high school graduation rate of 84%, which is lower than the national average of 87.3%, and the state average of 91.8%.
Mitchell has a low number of amenities, such as restaurants, bars, museums, and parks, compared to other cities in South Dakota.
How Mitchell can improve its quality of life
Mitchell is not a hopeless case, however. There are some steps that the city can take to improve its quality of life and attract more residents and visitors. Some of the possible solutions are:
Investing more in public safety and law enforcement, to reduce the crime rate and increase the sense of security among the residents.
Providing more support and opportunities for the low-income and unemployed population, such as job training, education, and social services, to reduce the poverty and unemployment rates.
Improving the education system and encouraging more students to complete high school and pursue higher education, to increase the human capital and the earning potential of the residents.
Developing more amenities and attractions, such as cultural, recreational, and entertainment venues, to enhance the livability and the appeal of the city.
Conclusion
Mitchell is the worst city to live in South Dakota, according to a recent study by RoadSnacks. Mitchell suffers from high crime, poverty, unemployment, and low education, and has few amenities to offer. However, Mitchell can improve its situation by taking some measures to address these issues and improve its quality of life. Mitchell has the potential to become a better city, if it is willing to make some changes.