Kentucky is famous for its rolling hills, horse races, and bourbon companies. However, there are a number of towns in Kentucky that are having big problems. Some areas’ populations have gone down because of bad economic conditions, a lack of jobs, and social problems, which have caused people to move to better places to live. Check out these seven Kentucky places that people are leaving as soon as possible, along with some of the reasons behind this trend.
1. Pineville
Pineville is in southeastern Kentucky. Its economy has been bad because the coal industry, which used to be a big source of jobs, is going out of business. As work in coal mining went away, poverty and high unemployment rates spread. The town doesn’t have many job chances because its economy isn’t diverse enough, so many people have left. Pineville also has trouble getting people to medical care and schools, which makes the population drop even more.
2. Harlan
Harlan, another town in southeastern Kentucky, has been hit hard by the decline in the coal business. The town’s economy used to be strong, but now there are high jobless rates and not many job openings. Families and young workers are less likely to want to live in this town because it is out of the way and has few amenities and services nearby. Because of this, a lot of people have left to find better jobs in bigger towns or other states, leaving behind an older population.
3. Hazard
The number of people living in Hazard, which is in the middle of Kentucky’s coal country, has been steadily going down because of the bad economy. The fall of coal mining has caused many people to lose their jobs and the economy to become unstable, so they have to move away to find work. People have left even more because of the high poverty rate, drug abuse problems, and limited access to health care. The town is still having a hard time, even though people are trying to make the economy more diverse by bringing in tourists and small businesses.
4. Middlesboro
Middlesboro, which is in the Cumberland Gap, has had economic problems like other towns in the area. A lot of people are out of work and can’t find work because the coal business is going down and factories are closing down. The town also has problems with poverty and not having enough access to schools and health care. A lot of the younger people who live here are going to bigger cities to find better job opportunities and better quality of life.
5. Prestonsburg
The number of people living in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, has gone down because the economy is bad. The town’s economy used to depend on coal mining, but it hasn’t been able to switch to other businesses, which is why unemployment rates are so high. Residents have trouble because they can’t easily get to medical care, schools, and other services. Because there aren’t many job prospects, a lot of people have moved to cities to find better jobs and better places to live.
6. Paintsville
The coal and manufacturing businesses have gone out of business, which has hurt Paintsville, a small town in eastern Kentucky. A lot of people have left the area to find better chances elsewhere because of the high rates of unemployment and poverty. Residents have a hard time finding stable work because the town is out in the middle of nowhere and there aren’t many job options. Even though the town is still trying to bring in new companies and industries, it is still having a hard time keeping its residents.
7. Whitesburg
Another town that has been greatly affected by the decline of the coal industry is Whitesburg. It has economic and social problems that have caused its population to drop. The town has had a hard time making new jobs, which has led to high unemployment and poverty. Residents have found it hard to stay because they can’t get medical care, people are addicted to drugs, and there aren’t enough facilities. Because of this, a lot of people have moved to bigger towns with stronger economies and better places to live.
Conclusion
Due to the decline of traditional industries like coal mining, these Kentucky towns are facing economic problems, high unemployment, and a lack of job possibilities. People are moving to other areas with better job opportunities and higher standard of life, which is causing the population to drop. To change these trends, we need focused economic growth, more money for schools, and better roads and bridges. To bring these towns back to life, people will have to work hard over time to make the future better for their neighborhoods and residents.