Pine Bluff, Arkansas has the dubious distinction of being the fast-shrinking city in America, according to a new report.
Many Americans are moving out of smaller cities in favor of major metropolises that offer more job opportunities and greater economic growth.
A new report identifies the 25 cities that are shrinking fastest because people are leaving more rapidly than they are moving in or being born.
The analysis of U.S. Census data by 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the rate of change in population of 382 American cities from 2010-2017, finding that 25 metro areas had population declines of 3 percent – 10 percent. Many Rust Belt cities made the list, including those in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.
Scroll down for the full list
This map illustrates America's 15 fastest-shrinking cities, according to U.S. Census data. It also reveals the percent of the population decline and the net change in population to due migration for each city
A lack of good-paying jobs could be a factor for many of these cities – all but one (Ocean City, New Jersey) had median incomes below the national median of $59,039.
Pine Bluff topped the list, with a 9.1 percent decline in population during that period - with a net loss of 10,001 residents due to out-migration to other cities. The city had a population of 90,963 in 2017 (down from 100,093 seven years earlier) and a median household income of $37,076.
Johnstown, Pennsylvania ranked second, with a
