Most Miserable City in Missouri? Nearly 1 in 3 Living in Poverty
If you think you have it hard, there's a good likelihood that someone else has an even greater struggle than you. Take, for example, the most miserable city in Missouri where nearly 1 out of every 3 people lives right now in poverty.
Misery is a hard condition to define. For those who have been more fortunate, not being able to enjoy their daily morning coffee is torture. It might surprise you that for many Missouri families, the location of their next meal is a mystery.
Roadsnacks just put together a brand new roundup of what they consider to be the most miserable cities in Missouri. #1 on their list sadly fits almost everyone's definition of misery. It's Jennings, Missouri with a population of just over 12,000 at last count.
The factors that Roadsnacks used to bake into their formula of miserable included median house value and household income. The one that stuck out to me is the poverty level. They say 29.2% of Jennings, Missouri residents exist at or under the poverty level.
Frankly, if you drive around Jennings, the neighborhoods don't look awful. Inside those decent looking homes though are families that have a lot of kids, but don't have both parents around according to the metrics shared.
Niche says that most in Jennings, Missouri don't own their homes, but can only afford rentals which adds to the struggles.
Never judge a book by its cover or a city by sheer numbers, but it does look like from the outside looking in, Jennings has more challenges than most other places in Missouri.
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Gallery Credit: Reece Nichols Real Estate, Realtor.com