Fastest Shrinking Place in Every State
U.S. population growth slowed to just 0.6% in 2018 — the lowest growth rate in 80 years. The last time the annual population growth was this low, the nation was in the throes of the Great Depression, when job opportunities…
U.S. population growth slowed to just 0.6% in 2018 — the lowest growth rate in 80 years. The last time the annual population growth was this low, the nation was in the throes of the Great Depression, when job opportunities were limited and there was little optimism about the future.
While the national population growth just hit a historic low, there are towns and cities across the country where even a small 0.6% population bump would be a welcome change. In these places, population decline has been a defining demographic trend for years.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed population changes between 2010 and 2017 in nearly 15,000 cities, towns, villages, and Census designated places to identify the fastest shrinking place in every state. We only considered areas with populations of at least 1,000. To ensure accuracy, we did not consider places where the margin of error for population was greater than 10%. All data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
National population growth is slowing primarily because the country’s population is aging. This also appears to be a factor in many of the cities and towns on this list.
In the fastest shrinking town in 38 states, the median age exceeds the national median of 37.8 years. Similarly, in the vast majority of places on this list, the share of residents 65 and older is greater than the comparable share statewide. While these places tend to have large shares of retirement-age residents, they are not necessarily the places with the oldest populations in their state. These are the oldest counties in every state.
Just like during the Great Depression, when population growth slowed nationwide, in many of these areas, economic conditions are lagging. In the majority of cities and towns on this list, the median household income is lower than it is across their respective state as a whole. This is in stark contrast to the fastest growing place in every state — which tend to be relatively affluent areas.
Click here to see the fastest shrinking place in every state
Click here to see the fastest growing place in every state
Click here to read our methodology
1. Alabama: Tuskegee
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.1% (state: +2.9%)
> Median household income: $27,314 (state: $46,472)
> Annual unemployment: 10.1% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 8,852
[entry-topics ids=”8017″]
2. Alaska: Valdez
> 2010-2017 population change: -0.4% (state: +6.9%)
> Median household income: $94,003 (state: $76,114)
> Annual unemployment: 6.5% (state: 5.2%)
> Total population: 3,921
[entry-topics ids=”176″]
3. Arizona: New Kingman-Butler
> 2010-2017 population change: -9.9% (state: +9.0%)
> Median household income: $31,923 (state: $53,510)
> Annual unemployment: 9.3% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 13,060
[entry-topics ids=”24592″]
4. Arkansas: Brinkley
> 2010-2017 population change: -14.1% (state: +3.7%)
> Median household income: $31,694 (state: $43,813)
> Annual unemployment: 5.5% (state: 3.6%)
> Total population: 2,854
[entry-topics ids=”50255″]
5. California: Willowbrook
> 2010-2017 population change: -35.6% (state: +6.4%)
> Median household income: $40,279 (state: $67,169)
> Annual unemployment: 7.3% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 22,654
[entry-topics ids=”1337″]
6. Colorado: Air Force Academy
> 2010-2017 population change: -26.1% (state: +11.2%)
> Median household income: $70,179 (state: $65,458)
> Annual unemployment: 0.3% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 6,098
[entry-topics ids=”180″]
7. Connecticut: Pawcatuck
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.8% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $57,780 (state: $73,781)
> Annual unemployment: 5.2% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 4,999
[entry-topics ids=”22247″]
8. Delaware: North Star
> 2010-2017 population change: -6.8% (state: +7.1%)
> Median household income: $141,618 (state: $63,036)
> Annual unemployment: 1.3% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 7,390
[entry-topics ids=”3426″]
9. Florida: Zephyrhills West
> 2010-2017 population change: -19.2% (state: +9.5%)
> Median household income: $33,558 (state: $50,883)
> Annual unemployment: 3.1% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 4,734
[entry-topics ids=”1657″]
10. Georgia: Reidsville
> 2010-2017 population change: -38.2% (state: +7.7%)
> Median household income: $24,500 (state: $52,977)
> Annual unemployment: 1.6% (state: 4.7%)
> Total population: 2,652
[entry-topics ids=”22721″]
11. Hawaii: Ahuimanu
> 2010-2017 population change: -17.2% (state: +6.6%)
> Median household income: $103,825 (state: $74,923)
> Annual unemployment: 2.8% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 8,085
[entry-topics ids=”14042″]
12. Idaho: Kamiah
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.3% (state: +8.6%)
> Median household income: $36,905 (state: $50,985)
> Annual unemployment: 5.3% (state: 3.3%)
> Total population: 1,267
[entry-topics ids=”59347″]
13. Illinois: Mount Carroll
> 2010-2017 population change: -19.1% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $42,404 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 3% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 1,475
[entry-topics ids=”11106″]
14. Indiana: Shorewood Forest
> 2010-2017 population change: -16.7% (state: +3.1%)
> Median household income: $102,950 (state: $52,182)
> Annual unemployment: 1% (state: 3.9%)
> Total population: 2,512
[entry-topics ids=”35717″]
15. Iowa: Reinbeck
> 2010-2017 population change: -17.1% (state: +3.4%)
> Median household income: $59,453 (state: $56,570)
> Annual unemployment: 4% (state: 2.8%)
> Total population: 1,628
[entry-topics ids=”59348″]
16. Kansas: Belleville
> 2010-2017 population change: -15.9% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $42,406 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 4.5% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 42,283
[entry-topics ids=”14041″]
17. Kentucky: Fort Knox
> 2010-2017 population change: -23.8% (state: +3.2%)
> Median household income: $55,196 (state: $46,535)
> Annual unemployment: 1.6% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 9,092
[entry-topics ids=”59349″]
18. Louisiana: Jefferson
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.1% (state: +5.3%)
> Median household income: $46,199 (state: $46,710)
> Annual unemployment: 3.8% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 10,469
[entry-topics ids=”59350″]
19. Maine: Madawaska
> 2010-2017 population change: -18.4% (state: +0.2%)
> Median household income: $37,753 (state: $53,024)
> Annual unemployment: 0% (state: 3.3%)
> Total population: 2,816
[entry-topics ids=”36448″]
20. Maryland: Friendship Heights Village
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.4% (state: +5.3%)
> Median household income: $92,593 (state: $78,916)
> Annual unemployment: 2.6% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 5,051
[entry-topics ids=”28049″]
21. Massachusetts: North Scituate
> 2010-2017 population change: -11.0% (state: +4.8%)
> Median household income: $104,159 (state: $74,167)
> Annual unemployment: 4% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 4,890
[entry-topics ids=”22627″]
22. Michigan: Beecher
> 2010-2017 population change: -19.9% (state: -0.3%)
> Median household income: $23,856 (state: $52,668)
> Annual unemployment: 11.3% (state: 4.5%)
> Total population: 9,490
[entry-topics ids=”11110″]
23. Minnesota: Appleton
> 2010-2017 population change: -33.5% (state: +4.7%)
> Median household income: $35,300 (state: $65,699)
> Annual unemployment: 5.6% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 1,449
[entry-topics ids=”19886″]
24. Mississippi: Winona
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.3% (state: +4.7%)
> Median household income: $43,551 (state: $65,699)
> Annual unemployment: 4.8% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 27,153
[entry-topics ids=”59351″]
25. Missouri: Spanish Lake
> 2010-2017 population change: -15.1% (state: +2.6%)
> Median household income: $37,929 (state: $51,542)
> Annual unemployment: 10.6% (state: 3.6%)
> Total population: 18,511
[entry-topics ids=”28577″]
26. Montana: Malmstrom AFB
> 2010-2017 population change: -18.5% (state: +5.8%)
> Median household income: $48,787 (state: $50,801)
> Annual unemployment: 1.8% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 3,929
[entry-topics ids=”3837″]
27. Nebraska: Fairbury
> 2010-2017 population change: -6.3% (state: +0.9%)
> Median household income: $42,808 (state: $61,229)
> Annual unemployment: 3.2% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 3,558
[entry-topics ids=”11091″]
28. Nevada: Hawthorne
> 2010-2017 population change: -26.1% (state: +9.7%)
> Median household income: $42,250 (state: $55,434)
> Annual unemployment: 11.4% (state: 5.1%)
> Total population: 2,689
[entry-topics ids=”59354″]
29. New Hampshire: Exeter
> 2010-2017 population change: -3.4% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $66,412 (state: $71,305)
> Annual unemployment: 3.2% (state: 3.0%)
> Total population: 9,130
[entry-topics ids=”22615″]
30. New Jersey: Leisure Village East
> 2010-2017 population change: -24.4% (state: +2.7%)
> Median household income: $43,915 (state: $76,475)
> Annual unemployment: 3.6% (state: 4.6%)
> Total population: 3,526
[entry-topics ids=”22720″]
31. New Mexico: Nambe
> 2010-2017 population change: -11.4% (state: +3.6%)
> Median household income: $45,750 (state: $46,718)
> Annual unemployment: 4.1% (state: 4.5%)
> Total population: 1,876
[entry-topics ids=”59355″]
32. New York: West Point
> 2010-2017 population change: -30.8% (state: +3.0%)
> Median household income: $100,039 (state: $62,765)
> Annual unemployment: 0.5% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 6,536
[entry-topics ids=”4614″]
33. North Carolina: Plymouth
> 2010-2017 population change: -8.0% (state: +8.4%)
> Median household income: $18,314 (state: $50,320)
> Annual unemployment: 4.5% (state: 4.4%)
> Total population: 3,599
[entry-topics ids=”20037″]
34. North Dakota: Carrington
> 2010-2017 population change: -9.5% (state: +13.0%)
> Median household income: $54,722 (state: $61,285)
> Annual unemployment: 0.1% (state: 1.9%)
> Total population: 1,923
[entry-topics ids=”15103″]
35. Ohio: Wheelersburg
> 2010-2017 population change: -12.9% (state: +0.8%)
> Median household income: $52,500 (state: $52,407)
> Annual unemployment: 2% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 6,183
[entry-topics ids=”4458″]
36. Oklahoma: Watonga
> 2010-2017 population change: -42.9% (state: +6.0%)
> Median household income: $51,891 (state: $49,767)
> Annual unemployment: 1.2% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 2,932
[entry-topics ids=”6084″]
37. Oregon: Altamont
> 2010-2017 population change: -6.9% (state: +7.0%)
> Median household income: $41,048 (state: $56,119)
> Annual unemployment: 5% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 18,975
[entry-topics ids=”59358″]
38. Pennsylvania: West Wyomissing
> 2010-2017 population change: -18.9% (state: +1.4%)
> Median household income: $62,612 (state: $56,951)
> Annual unemployment: 2.9% (state: 4.1%)
> Total population: 3,195
[entry-topics ids=”11113″]
39. Rhode Island: Greenville
> 2010-2017 population change: -4.3% (state: +0.0%)
> Median household income: $77,219 (state: $61,043)
> Annual unemployment: 3.6% (state: 4.4%)
> Total population: 8,388
[entry-topics ids=”9799″]
40. South Carolina: Allendale
> 2010-2017 population change: -14.0% (state: +8.5%)
> Median household income: $19,420 (state: $48,781)
> Annual unemployment: 14.8% (state: 4.3%)
> Total population: 3,120
[entry-topics ids=”11112″]
41. South Dakota: Fort Thompson
> 2010-2017 population change: -11.0% (state: +7.0%)
> Median household income: $25,125 (state: $54,126)
> Annual unemployment: 9.4% (state: 2.6%)
> Total population: 1,271
[entry-topics ids=”14040″]
42. Tennessee: Belle Meade
> 2010-2017 population change: -10.6% (state: +5.8%)
> Median household income: $195,000 (state: $48,708)
> Annual unemployment: 0.2% (state: 4.0%)
> Total population: 2,584
[entry-topics ids=”59360″]
43. Texas: San Elizario
> 2010-2017 population change: -35.5% (state: +12.8%)
> Median household income: $26,807 (state: $57,051)
> Annual unemployment: 6.3% (state: 3.7%)
> Total population: 9,213
[entry-topics ids=”1575″]
44. Utah: Richmond
> 2010-2017 population change: -2.3% (state: +6.4%)
> Median household income: $61,045 (state: $67,169)
> Annual unemployment: 5.7% (state: 4.8%)
> Total population: 108,853
[entry-topics ids=”59361″]
45. Vermont: St. Johnsbury
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.9% (state: +0.1%)
> Median household income: $36,958 (state: $57,808)
> Annual unemployment: 2.6% (state: 2.9%)
> Total population: 5,789
[entry-topics ids=”1866″]
46. Virginia: Gloucester Point
> 2010-2017 population change: -10.7% (state: +6.7%)
> Median household income: $55,600 (state: $68,766)
> Annual unemployment: 1.9% (state: 3.5%)
> Total population: 9,291
[entry-topics ids=”1834″]
47. Washington: Davenport
> 2010-2017 population change: -22.4% (state: +9.5%)
> Median household income: $42,015 (state: $50,883)
> Annual unemployment: 2.4% (state: 4.2%)
> Total population: 3,665
[entry-topics ids=”8439″]
48. West Virginia: Bethlehem
> 2010-2017 population change: -13.1% (state: -0.2%)
> Median household income: $70,288 (state: $44,061)
> Annual unemployment: 3.5% (state: 3.8%)
> Total population: 2,459
[entry-topics ids=”38858″]
49. Wisconsin: Park Falls
> 2010-2017 population change: -15.2% (state: +2.2%)
> Median household income: $36,250 (state: $56,759)
> Annual unemployment: 1.7% (state: 3.1%)
> Total population: 2,294
[entry-topics ids=”11108″]
50. Wyoming: Thermopolis
> 2010-2017 population change: -5.8% (state: +6.9%)
> Median household income: $50,417 (state: $60,938)
> Annual unemployment: 2.3% (state: 3.1%)
> Total population: 2,935
[entry-topics ids=”19422″]
Methodology
To identify the fastest-shrinking place in every state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed population change from 2010 to 2017 in nearly 15,000 cities, towns, villages, and Census designated places with populations of at least 1,000. We only considered places where the margin of error for population was less than 10%. All data are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. We also reviewed data on median household income and annual unemployment for 2017 from the ACS.
Contact [email protected] for any questions or corrections.
Sam Stebbins is a writer at 247WallSt.com where his primary focus is on government policy, politics, companies, and broad social and economic trends. Sam has been writing in the money and news verticals for over 8 years and holds a bachelor's degree from Hobart College, which he earned in 2010. Sam resides in upstate New York and enjoys hiking, biking, canoeing, and skiing in the Adirondack Mountains and across the Northeast.
