The 10 Most Worst Cities in New York: A List of High-Crime Areas

August 2024 · 7 minute read
Most Worst Cities in New York

New York State offers a range of attractions, opportunities, and diversity, but it also grapples with challenges. There are cities within the state facing issues like crime, poverty, and other concerns that render them less safe, less livable, and less appealing.

In this article, we will be ranking the 10 Most Worst Cities in New York based on different factors such as rates of violent crime, property crime, poverty, unemployment, and education.

10.) Utica

Situated in Oneida County, Utica struggles with a high crime rate and a diminished quality of life. In 2023, the city recorded a violent crime rate of 6.27 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 34.13 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Utica’s challenges extend to a 28.5% poverty rate and a median household income of just $36,047. Educational statistics also reflect difficulties, with a graduation rate of 74% and a high dropout rate of 19%. Moreover, the city contends with a 9.1% unemployment rate and a labor force participation rate of 54.2%.

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9.) Syracuse

As a major city in Onondaga County, Syracuse contends with a high crime rate and a lower quality of life. The city’s 2023 statistics indicate a violent crime rate of 7.00 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 26.89 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Syracuse faces a substantial 31.8% poverty rate and a median household income of $38,620. Its educational landscape presents challenges as well, with a graduation rate of 64% and a dropout rate of 23%. The city’s unemployment rate stands at 8.6%, and the labor force participation rate is 57.4%.

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8.) Albany

Serving as the capital of New York, Albany confronts issues tied to a high crime rate and reduced quality of life. Albany’s 2023 data reveals a violent crime rate of 7.48 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 25.94 incidents per 1,000 residents.

The city contends with a significant poverty rate of 25.3% and a median household income of $47,567. In education, Albany experiences a graduation rate of 69%, with a dropout rate of 21%. Unemployment is high at 8.4%, and the labor force participation rate is 58.9%.

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7.) Malone Village

A small village in Franklin County, Malone Village faces elevated crime rates and a reduced quality of life. In 2023, the village reported a violent crime rate of 8.01 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 29.97 incidents per 1,000 residents, marking it as one of New York’s more perilous areas.

Malone Village also contends with a 26.9% poverty rate and a median household income of $37,500. The village’s educational system struggles with a graduation rate of 76% and a dropout rate of 18%. The unemployment rate is high at 9.5%, and the labor force participation rate is 53.6%.

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6.) Johnson City Village

Found in Broome County, Johnson City Village grapples with a high crime rate and a compromised quality of life. In 2023, the village reported a violent crime rate of 8.12 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 30.72 incidents per 1,000 residents.

The village faces a significant 27.4% poverty rate and a median household income of $39,722. The educational landscape includes a graduation rate of 77% and a dropout rate of 18%. Additionally, Johnson City Village contends with a high unemployment rate of 9.4%, and the labor force participation rate is 54.7%.

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5.) Rochester

As a major city in Monroe County, Rochester struggles with a high crime rate and a compromised quality of life. The city’s 2023 statistics highlight a violent crime rate of 8.33 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 27.72 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Rochester’s challenges extend to a significant 31.9% poverty rate and a median household income of $34,794. Educational statistics also reflect difficulties, with a graduation rate of 63% and a high dropout rate of 24%. Furthermore, the city contends with an 8.9% unemployment rate and a labor force participation rate of 58.6%.

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4.) Buffalo

As New York’s second-largest city, Buffalo faces challenges tied to a high crime rate and a reduced quality of life. In 2023, the city reported a violent crime rate of 8.65 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 28.02 incidents per 1,000 residents.

Buffalo grapples with a substantial 30.9% poverty rate and a median household income of $37,359. The city’s education scene presents challenges, with a graduation rate of 68% and a dropout rate of 22%. Buffalo’s unemployment rate stands at 9.2%, and the labor force participation rate is 57.7%.

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3.) Oneida

Situated in Madison County, Oneida contends with high crime rates and a reduced quality of life. The city’s 2023 data shows a violent crime rate of 9.01 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 31.97 incidents per 1,000 residents, marking it as one of New York’s more hazardous areas.

Oneida also faces a 23.6% poverty rate and a median household income of $43,750. The city’s education landscape includes a graduation rate of 75% and a dropout rate of 19%. Moreover, Oneida contends with a high unemployment rate of 9.8%, and the labor force participation rate is 54.8%.

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2.) Watertown

Found in Jefferson County, Watertown grapples with high crime rates and a compromised quality of life. The city’s 2023 statistics reveal a violent crime rate of 9.25 incidents per 1,000 residents and a property crime rate of 32.29 incidents per 1,000 residents, designating it as one of New York’s more dangerous areas.

Watertown’s challenges extend to a significant 24.7% poverty rate and a median household income of $42,957. The city’s educational system presents difficulties, with a graduation rate of 76% and a dropout rate of 18%.

Additionally, Watertown faces a high unemployment rate of 10.1%, and the labor force participation rate is 55.9%.

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1.) Binghamton

Ranked as New York’s most perilous city, Binghamton confronts elevated crime rates and a compromised quality of life. In 2023, the city reported the highest violent crime rate of 10.16 incidents per 1,000 residents and the highest property crime rate of 56.13 incidents per 1,000 residents in the state.

Binghamton also contends with the highest poverty rate of 34.7% and the lowest median household income of $32,449 in New York. The city’s education system faces significant challenges, with the lowest graduation rate of 63% and the highest dropout rate of 29% in the state.

Moreover, Binghamton grapples with the highest unemployment rate of 11.6% and the lowest labor force participation rate of 52.6% in the state.

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Conclusion

While New York State boasts numerous attractions, not all its cities enjoy prosperity. Some cities grapple with severe issues that render them unattractive for both residents and visitors.

This article has ranked the ten least desirable cities in New York based on multiple factors including violent crime rates, property crime rates, poverty rates, unemployment rates, and education levels.

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