The United States is facing a multitude of challenges, increased immigration, worsening poverty, rampant drug use, and escalating pollution are stretching city resources thin. These urgent matters culminate in a serious public health crisis, manifesting most visibly in the deteriorating state of cleanliness and safety in many urban areas. Let’s go over 15 cities where the crisis is most concerning.
Methodology
To rank these dirty United States cities, LawnStarter collected data on a variety of factors and categorized them into Living Conditions, Pollution, Infrastructure, and Consumer Satisfaction, creating a comprehensive profile for 150 of the biggest U.S. cities.
Living conditions: evaluated through a composite score, encompassing factors like population density, rates of overcrowded housing, and the absence of basic amenities such as kitchens and plumbing. Pollution: determined by the median air quality index, water quality violations, and greenhouse gas emissions per capita.
Infrastructure: considers waste management and environmental sustainability. Consumer Satisfaction: reflects residents’ contentment with their surroundings.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, contending with pollution and dissatisfaction, has found itself amidst the cleanliness crisis and currently it is ranked as the 15th most dirty state in the United States.
Overall Rank: 15/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 45.59
Pollution Rank: 30
Living Conditions Rank: 29
Infrastructure Rank: 55
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 12
Ontario, California
Ontario, another city in the sunny Golden State is ranked 14th for its poor cleanliness.
Overall Rank: 14/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 45.62
Pollution Rank: 8
Living Conditions Rank: 63
Infrastructure Rank: 79
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 10
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham, AL, confronts notable cleanliness issues, moreover with the pollution. This city is ranked as the 13th dirtiest cities in the United States.
Overall Rank: 13/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 45.74
Pollution Rank: 94
Living Conditions Rank: 3
Infrastructure Rank: 20
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 19
Manhattan, New York
Manhattan deals with continual issues with attempts to clean up the city, it comes in at the 12th dirtiest city in America.
Overall Rank: 12/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 46.19
Pollution Rank: 102
Living Conditions Rank: 1
Infrastructure Rank: 62
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 13
Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport has its struggles with keeping its city clean, earning its place on this list as the 11th most dirty city in the U.S.
Overall Rank: 11/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 46.34
Pollution Rank: 26
Living Conditions Rank: 86
Infrastructure Rank: 46
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 23
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers claims the 10th position on the list of dirty cities in the U.S.
Overall Rank: 10/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 46.36
Pollution Rank: 46
Living Conditions Rank: 8
Infrastructure Rank: 128
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 14
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is faced with serious sanitary issues, making it the 9th dirtiest city in the United States.
Overall Rank: 9/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 46.51
Pollution Rank: 5
Living Conditions Rank: 25
Infrastructure Rank: 8
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 96
Fresno, California
Believe it or not Fresno is actually dirtier than Los Angeles and Ontario, it ranks as the 8th dirtiest city in America.
Overall Rank: 8/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 47.27
Pollution Rank: 31
Living Conditions Rank: 81
Infrastructure Rank: 121
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 5
San Antonio, Texas
Those that live in San Antonio face notable concerns with the cleanliness of their city, it comes in as the 7th dirtiest city in the U.S.
Overall Rank: 7/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 47.43
Pollution Rank: 34
Living Conditions Rank: 12
Infrastructure Rank: 29
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 36
Bakersfield, California
Bakersfield grapples with serious challenges of the filthy conditions of the city, it was found to be the 6th dirtiest city in America.
Overall Rank: 6/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 47.95
Pollution Rank: 27
Living Conditions Rank: 69
Infrastructure Rank: 122
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 7
Jersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is positioned as the fifth unkempt city in the United States, the city deals with serious issues regarding living conditions and overall cleanliness.
Overall Rank: 5/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 48.11
Pollution Rank: 50
Living Conditions Rank: 2
Infrastructure Rank: 110
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 15
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit contends with notable cleanliness challenges, earning the fourth position on the list of dirtiest cities in America.
Overall Rank: 4/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 48.3
Pollution Rank: 9
Living Conditions Rank: 35
Infrastructure Rank: 89
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 4
San Bernardino, California
San Bernardino, deals with significant pollution issues and is overall the third dirtiest city in America.
Overall Rank: 3/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 51.58
Pollution Rank: 1
Living Conditions Rank: 56
Infrastructure Rank: 131
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 1
Newark, New Jersey
Newark joins its neighboring Jersey City and comes in as the second dirtiest city in the entire United States.
Overall Rank: 2/150 (1 = Dirtiest)
Overall Score: 55.25
Pollution Rank: 14
Living Conditions Rank: 5
Infrastructure Rank: 97
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 3
Houston, Texas
Houston comes in first place for the dirtiest city in the United States, dealing with the controversial Colony Ridge development north of Houston as a hub for illegal immigrants and serious problems.
Overall Rank: 1st dirtiest
Overall Score: 56.02
Pollution Rank: 3
Living Conditions Rank: 4
Infrastructure Rank: 12
Consumer Satisfaction Rank: 34
