Special Report

This is the Worst City to Live in Nevada

Samuel Stebbins

Published: May 25, 2021 7:00 am

The COVID-19 pandemic was a public health crisis that sent shockwaves through the U.S. economy — and the country’s social fabric. In addition to claiming over half a million American lives, the pandemic sent unemployment soaring and exacerbated existing problems, as drug overdoses and crime rates spiked in some parts of the country.

Even before the pandemic, however, there were cities and towns already grappling with severe social and economic distress. These communities have long struggled with challenges such as high unemployment, poverty, crime, drug misuse, and limited access to essential services.

Based on a weighted index of two-dozen social and economic measures, 24/7 Wall St. identified the worst place to live in every state. We considered cities, towns, villages, and census designated places home to at least 8,000 people.

Fernley, Nevada, a small city just east of Reno, is the worst place to live in the state, partially due to issues related to public health and health care access. Across the broader Lyon County, where Fernley is located, there are 34.8 accidental drug overdose deaths for every 100,000 people annually, the most of any county considered in the state and well above the U.S. drug fatality rate of 22.5 per 100,000. Emergency medical care is also relatively difficult to access for Fernley residents as the nearest hospital is nearly 24 miles away. No other city or town in Nevada with adequate data is farther than 14 miles from a hospital.

Across Lyon County, residents have relatively limited access to public spaces for recreation and exercise. An estimated 67.8% county residents have easy access to places like parks and recreation centers, compared to 84.2% of all Americans.

Our index is composed of data across four categories: affordability, economy, quality of life, and community. Data is all for the most recent year available and came from the U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, The Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other sources. This is the worst city to live in every state.