The study came from 24/7 Wall St, a company out of Delaware that performs US and global financial analysis for investment companies. They also put out financial news stories and opinion pieces based on their findings.

 

Results were based off of regional poverty levels, the percentage of adults who have at least a bachelor’s degree, and average life expectancy at birth.

 

#25 - Floyd County, KY

#23 - Jackson County, KY

#20 - Martin County, KY

#16 - Knox County, KY

#10 - Harlan County, KY

#9 - Bell County, KY

#8 - Leslie County, KY

#7 - Breathitt County, KY

#6 - Clay County, KY

#5 - McCreary County, KY

 

Mississippi had 5 counties make the list, West Virginia had 2 counties on the list, and South Dakota had 2 counties on the list, claiming both the #1 & #2 spots. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, and New Mexico each had one county make the list.

 

4 of the top 25 were largely Native American Reservation land.

 

Kentucky's coal country dominates list of worst places to live | Courier-Journal

My son spent an alternative spring break week in the county that’s number one on the list. Worked at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Multiple families stacked in ramshackle trailers.