Located in the Mid-Atlantic area of the United States, Maryland is home to about 6 million people. Not every town in the state provides an equally appealing place to live, despite being well-known for its extensive history, varied culture, and breathtaking scenery.
Certain areas have low salaries, poor schooling, high rates of crime, and few opportunities. Here are five Maryland communities where locals are allegedly moving out at a significant rate, per some reports.
Baltimore
Baltimore, the largest city in Maryland, is regrettably well-known for its decades-long history of racial strife, poverty, crime, and corruption.
With 348 homicides, or 58.3 per 100,000 people, it has the highest homicide rate among the 50 largest U.S. cities in 2019. Baltimore’s poor performance in the areas of infrastructure, health, education, and the economy led many citizens to decide to leave the city and its institutions behind.
Salisbury
Salisbury University, with over 8,700 students, is located in Salisbury, the largest city in the Eastern Shore region and the county seat of Wicomico County. It does, however, have a negative side as well. In 2019, there were 1,216 recorded violent crimes and 4,027 recorded property crimes, or 12.7 and 42.1 per 1,000 inhabitants, respectively. Many people in the city are fleeing to safer and more lucrative places as a result of the city’s high poverty rate of 25.9% and low median household income of $39,930.
Cumberland
Since the middle of the 20th century, Cumberland, in western Maryland, has experienced a sharp slide from its former status as a bustling industrial and transportation hub.
The city has a low median household income of $35,920, a high poverty rate of 22.6%, and a significant unemployment rate of 7.5%. Its low population of 19,707 and negative growth rate of -1.1% contribute to its economic woes. As a result, many locals have moved elsewhere in search of better employment prospects and living circumstances.
Hagerstown
Hagerstown, the county seat of Washington County, is a city in northwest Maryland with a population of 40,100 and a negative growth rate of -0.2%. The city struggles with a high poverty rate of 23.8%, a low median household income of $41,550, and a host of other problems like homelessness, drugs, crime, and blight. Due to these difficulties, a large number of people have left Hagerstown in search of livelier and more affluent surroundings.
Cambridge
Cambridge, the county seat of Dorchester County and a city in the Eastern Shore region, has a population of 12,285 and a negative growth rate of -0.6%. The city has a difficult history of racial prejudice and violence, despite its rich marine past. These issues are reflected in its low median family income of $36,517, high poverty rate of 27.4%, and 6.9% unemployment rate. Residents are moving away from Cambridge in search of more inclusive and varied communities.
Conclusion
Some sources rank these five Maryland towns as difficult places to live because of their high rates of crime, low incomes, subpar schooling, and little prospects. Many people have made the decision to leave these areas in search of greater opportunities elsewhere.
These communities do, however, have potential; they have priceless resources like history, culture, nature, and community. These towns need to overcome their existing issues with more investment, creativity, and teamwork if they are to reinvigorate their futures.
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