Plenty can change in 20 years; it’s a long time. Sometimes things can change for the worse and that includes U.S. states. This can be for a variety of reasons, such as a decline in tourism or the pandemic. Here are 17 states that are worse now than they were 20 years ago.
Nevada
Nevada is relying too much on tourism, especially since the pandemic. This is supported by the Las Vegas Sun, which writes, “Nevada has one of the least-diversified economies in the nation, such that even other tourist hot spots such as Hawaii are better equipped to handle the economic hit from the coronavirus pandemic.”
Hawaii
Thanks to a reduced amount of tourism, Hawaii is also starting to struggle as a state. Hawaii’s economy relies on tourism, and due to travel restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic, it started to plummet. The state experienced high unemployment rates and recovery efforts are still ongoing.
California
Housing prices in California have skyrocketed in the past 20 years and this has made it an unaffordable state to live in. Even though there’s been economic growth in the tech sector, the overall unemployment rates in the state remain high. The state also faces challenges with its infrastructure due to its large population.
New York
The pandemic hit New York hard. There were a huge number of job losses, especially in the hospitality and service sectors. The state has tried its best to recover, but it’s been uneven and impacted lower-wage earners the most. In particular, New York City has faced challenges in recovering its economy.
Illinois
Illinois has seen a huge decline in its population over recent years. This is backed by Illinois Policy, which tells us, “Illinois suffered its sixth consecutive year of population decline in 2019, driven entirely by residents leaving for other states.” The decline in population has come from fiscal issues such as high levels of debt.
Michigan
Thanks to Michigan’s long-term decline in the manufacturing sector, it’s struggling with its economic growth, especially in the auto industry. The state has been slow in trying to diversify its economy, which has affected its overall growth. It’s also facing challenges in revitalizing its urban areas and managing environmental issues.
Alaska
Alaska’s economy relies heavily on its oil and faces challenges when it comes to the fluctuating prices. The state has seen many budget cuts and there have been numerous debates over its Permanent Fund Dividend. If Alaska wants to get back on track, it needs to diversify its economy.
West Virginia
Thanks to the decline of the coal industry, West Virginia’s economy has been significantly impacted. Job opportunities in the state are also limited and it struggles with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. There have been efforts to introduce new industries into the state, but these have yet to make a notable difference.
Louisiana
Louisiana has faced many environmental issues in the past 20 years. This includes coastal erosion and Hurricane Katrina. The state has also experienced fluctuations in its economy due to the oil sector. To become a stronger state, it needs to make improvements to its infrastructure.
Mississippi
According to the National Library of Medicine, Mississippi is one of the poorest states in the country, with many people receiving inadequate education, having limited access to healthcare, and experiencing environmental and nutritional risks. These issues have even caused the state to have high rates of chronic diseases.
New Mexico
In the past 20 years, New Mexico has faced many educational and employment challenges. Fewer students are wanting to continue with their studies past high school and unemployment rates are also high. The state has put efforts into its educational and healthcare systems to try and improve the economy.
Kentucky
Kentucky had a booming economy during the peak of the coal industry. With that industry dying down, it’s meant many regions in the state have faced economic struggle. Along with this, Kentucky has faced many drug issues and high rates of obesity, which has put a strain on its healthcare system.
South Carolina
This state had a heavy reliance on the manufacturing industry and a decline in this has meant the state has suffered economically. While it’s seen growth in the automotive and aerospace industries, South Carolina still needs to see more from these sectors.
Ohio
Ohio is still feeling the impact of the industrial decline and has struggled to come up with ways to recover its economy. The state has tried to refocus its attention on the tech and healthcare industries as a way to drive growth in the economy.
Alabama
Even though Alabama has done well in the auto industry, it still suffers in its educational and healthcare sectors. The state has seen many residents struggle to get the healthcare that they need. To become stronger, the state needs to diversify its economy to ensure sustainable growth.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s energy sector has massively plummeted in recent years. This is supported by the Journal Record, which tells us the state had the biggest number of job losses in the energy sector in recent years. Oklahoma has struggled with budgeting in this sector, which has mainly been due to fluctuating oil and gas prices.
Pennsylvania
This state has faced particular issues when it comes to its aging workforce. Pennsylvania has an aging population, which can be due to many different reasons, such as younger families not moving to the state and other younger people moving away. It’s had to try and attract younger workers to help with local economies.
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