Virginia is a state full of natural beauty, a rich history, and a diverse population. Not every town in the region is a desirable place to live, though. A few of them struggle with high rates of crime, dim economic prospects, or environmental problems. These seven Virginia towns are seeing a rapid exodus of residents.

1. Emporia

Located in southern Virginia, the little community of Emporia holds the dubious distinction of being the poorest city in the state. Less than half of the state average, or $25,742, is the median household income in Emporia. The unemployment rate is 10.9% and the poverty rate is an astounding 40.5%. With a violent crime rate of 1,038 per 100,000 residents—more than four times the national average—Emporia likewise has a high crime rate.

2. Martinsville

Another southern Virginia city that has been severely impacted by the downturn of the furniture and textile industries is Martinsville. There are currently only roughly 12,000 people living in the city, having lost more than half of its population since 1980. In Martinsville, the poverty rate is 31.8 percent, and the median household income is $28,793. The community has one of the worst rates of opioid overdoses in the state, and the jobless rate is 11.4%.

3. Hopewell

The central Virginian city of Hopewell is well-known for its environmental issues and industrial pollution. The city’s air, water, and land have been poisoned by a number of chemical industries, paper mills, and power plants. Hopewell is also known as the “City of Smokestacks” and the “Chemical Capital of the South.” With a violent crime rate of 1,019 per 100,000 residents—more than four times the national average—the city also has a high crime rate. In Hopewell, the average household income is $41,305, and the poverty rate is 19.6%.

4. Petersburg

The city of Petersburg, located in central Virginia, has a long history of serving as both an African American cultural hub and a site of Civil War combat. But the city has also had to deal with a number of issues, including urban deterioration, racial segregation, and poor financial management. With 1,036 violent crimes committed against every 100,000 residents, Petersburg has a high crime rate—more than four times higher than the national average. The poverty rate of Petersburg is 27.9%, with a typical household income of $35,528. In addition, just 15.6% of individuals in the city have completed a bachelor’s degree or above.

5. Marion

Southwest Virginia’s Marion is a community well-known for its historic downtown and easy access to the Appalachian Trail. But the community has also been hit hard by the opioid crisis and the loss of manufacturing employment. With 1,006 violent crimes committed against every 100,000 citizens, Marion has a high crime rate—more than four times higher than the national average. In Marion, the poverty rate is 23.8 percent and the median household income is $32,551. The town has one of the highest rates of drug overdoses in the state, and the unemployment rate is 8.7%.

6. Danville

The southern Virginian city of Danville used to be a major center for textile and tobacco production. But since many of its manufacturers shuttered or relocated abroad in the 1980s, the city has been in a prolonged state of decline. With 1,019 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, more than four times the national average, Danville has a high crime rate. In Danville, the poverty rate is 25.9%, and the typical household income is $34,951. The city has one of the lowest median property values in the state, and the unemployment rate is 9.8%.

7. Roanoke

The western Virginian city of Roanoke is well-known for both its cultural offerings and its picturesque setting within the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city does, however, have many disadvantages, including a high cost of living, a poor standard of living, and a lack of economic diversification. With a violent crime rate of 1,015 per 100,000 people, more than four times the national average, Roanoke has a high crime rate. In Roanoke, the poverty rate is 21.9% and the typical household income is $41,483. In addition, the property tax rate in the city is high—$1.22 is levied for every $100 of assessed value.

Conclusion

These are a few Virginia communities that people are attempting to get away from as quickly as possible. They are departing for a variety of reasons, including high crime rates, low incomes, inadequate educational opportunities, and environmental concerns. Even if these towns could have some positive aspects, they are insufficient to balance the drawbacks. As a result, a lot of locals are searching abroad for better possibilities.