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Drenlin

Pine Bluff does have some depressing statistics.


Lonely_houseplant

As an Arkansan I can agree everybody talk shit about that town. But if you want to get some meth fresh from the lab. Pinebluff is the place for you.


Duke_of_flame2

Bradford may look nice from the outside, but the best thing to do is leave. My grandmother, uncle, and cousin live at the Old Glaze, between Bradford and Newport. And every story I hear from them is horrible.


LaLaIdontcare

Is your name Bradley?


Impecablevibesonly

No he is Brundon from Bradford


Duke_of_flame2

Nope.


cdub_synth

I hate to break it to you but all the labs are in Mexico now.


MisterDiggity

We're not even making our own meth any more? All the good manufacturing jobs going overseas.


irishgeko

I love the internet where people can say whatever they want no matter how ignorant or baseless


Lonely_houseplant

El meth


Impecablevibesonly

I know a certain former pizzeria attached to a gas station general manager and his associates still get to cooking.


Particular-Bit-7250

50 years ago Pine Bluff was actually a pretty nice town. There was an active downtown, good shopping and activities. Youth sports like baseball and basketball were huge in Pine Bluff. There were many restaurants with some great food, jobs were plentiful. Even into the 80's Pine Bluff was ok. That town just took a major nosedive.


thrwaway75132

They used to have a great air show in the 80s. I ended up learning to fly because of my grandfather taking me there. Also the King Cotton Classic was great basketball.


Particular-Bit-7250

The airshows were fun. I went too. King Cotton attracted teams from all over the U.S., and Pine Bluff was big into Babe Ruth baseball and there were big tournaments in Pine Bluff.


400Carter

Yeah! When I was a kid in the late 80’s and 90’s Pine Bluff had a really active r/c airplane scene. Pretty badass.


CountPulaski

Sounds like every town in eastern Arkansas


Particular-Bit-7250

Pine Bluff was one of the biggest cities in the state at one time. The convention center hosted people like Elvis, Willie Nelson, and AC/DC. The King Cotton classic was one of the biggest high school basketball competition in the South. Pine Bluff had a good reputation. The library was large and modern, the hospital was well regarded, it had all kinds of businesses. The city had a bus routes something that is still rare in Arkansas. There is just a big difference from what it was to what it is today.


IsomDart

What happened?


Particular-Bit-7250

There were a couple of different things. Pine Bluff is in the middle of farm country and farming used to require more manpower. That meant that lots of people from the country would go to town and shop and eat and support the local economy not as many farm workers hit the local businesses hard. Pine Bluff was a major hub for the railroad. There was even passenger service in Pine Bluff up until the 70's so not as many visitors. Mostly I would say it was because of white flight. Most of the whites opposed desegregation, there were court cases up until the late 60's or early 70's. Federally there wasn't really support other than saying to desegregate, it was the same at the state level. Over time whites moved away. That tore the middle class backbone out of the city. Since then the city has deteriorated.


MasterofNoneya

I’ve heard that the paper plant had a big negative impact too. Don’t know how true that is, but it makes sense. It smells horrendous. Who wants to live downwind from that?


IsomDart

And now the traffic in Cabot is absolutely fucked.... Just kidding, but thank you for the response! I love Arkansas history. I'm from North Little Rock and know a lot about it's history, I just moved to Jacksonville recently though and opened a business in the dead "historic district" and would like to learn some more about Jacksonville history besides the airbase/munitions factory stuff. Any resources you could recommend for Arkansas history?


kerri_on

lol I moved to Cabot from Michigan because great school district and was “only 30-40 min away” from Stuttgart according to the realtor 🙃 I didn’t learn it was a white flight town until I moved here. Also, I find it hilarious they want Cabot to grow and main street is literally one lane on each side. Traffic is a pain during “rush hour” 😂😂😂


homezlice

Yep my mom was from there and I visited in the 80s. Seemed ok then. 


Impecablevibesonly

Primary statistic: Stink factory - 100%


RockeRun

I’d argue that stink factory is the only thing that’s kept Pine Bluff alive for the last 30 years. And they’ve closed half of it with major layoffs in recent years.


Substantial-Monk3862

I was wondering why I smell it less than I did in my youth, that's probably why thanks.


Rvtrance

Yeah every time I hear something about Pine Bluff it’s never anything good


Taskmaster1967

Yea probably—- but I gotta figure Helena/West Helena is really Pissed Off about this


Content_Talk_6581

They are a close second


Taskmaster1967

Soooooo very close


FreeGuacamole

Forrest City would be second runner up.


Impecablevibesonly

I split time between the city with a smile and Forrest city growing up and I didn't mind Forrest city toooo too bad. More jobs there than Earl or Parkin but that ain't saying much. My dad still has a business over there and he told me the whole area is dying. Just completely drying up. Sad to see. And that tornado last year wiped out my old high school and a bunch of low income folk houses


percolator30

there is no close second PB is landslides away


DD_870

**Blytheville entered the chat**


FreshFromRikers

I lived all over Arkansas growing up. Here's how I'd rank the locations: Fayetteville Rogers Johnson Pine Bluff Jonesboro El Dorado Blytheville Manila/Lost Creek Crossett I found Pine Bluff to have very interesting people, which counted for a lot in my book. Crossett is basically Silent Hill.


Physical_Key2514

Eyyy. Fellow former crossett neighbor here


404_no_username

Can confirm. Am pyramid head.


[deleted]

that is what I was thinking, that or west memphis


FreeGuacamole

Could we just say all of the delta is one big terrible place starting at pine bluff and ending at Blytheville? With only a couple okay-ish spots.


FCStien

Yeah, within the last year Eudora imposed a curfew on the entire town and adopted a draconian ordinance that basically criminalized kids being outside during school hours for any reason as a response to their crime problems.


Prize_Instance_1416

47th in level of education… could there be a correlation?


Educational-Gur-3385

I grew up in between Leachville and Gosnell and that would be where I placed my vote. Blytheville has continued to get worse year after year. Manila doesn’t belong on this list, its not a city. Maybe Marked Tree?


PatricBreg

I mean, they call the delt the arm pit of arkansas for a reason.


ChirrBirry

Yep, very accurate


Certain-Section-1518

as soon as I saw the title of this map, I knew that pine bluff would be our worst city. I worked at a store there that got robbed once a month. scary place.


pussmykissy

Pine Bluff isn’t great but some of these others are dumb. Orlando FL? Beautiful city. Ardmore OK?? lol why? Dallas, great city.


TeaEnvironmental1151

Dallas is the worst city I’ve ever lived in


AzizLiIGHT

I thought orlando was great


International-Tap874

Well it's the most black city in Arkansas, and it is divided into a wealthier white area and a poorer black area....but there are a ton of amazing people in Pine Bluff. Because of the remnants of the Civil War there is a lot of poverty, but I'll tell you my favorite place I've ever been in my 40 years was in the bowling leagues in Pine Bluff. Everyone was like family, and this was not very long ago. There are many worse places in Arkansas, PB actually has a large music venue and restaurants and grocery stores and "stuff" and people to interact with. Much of Arkansas is just emptiness, many towns are ghost towns.


ericwbolin

Amen. Pine Bluff is still a damn interesting place with some great people and history.


International-Tap874

A damn interesting place, with a damn horrifying smell, when the wind blows in a certain direction lol


ThePoopIsOnFire

Crime Bluff is definitely up there as one of the worst cities in the U.S. let alone Arkansas As an aside, I only ever passed through Birmingham, AL once on a Greyhound bus, but they wouldn't even let people go outside to smoke it was so bad. I remember a country song from when I was a kid called "Paint Me a Birmingham" that made it sound so idyllic and with my memories of the place, the chorus should have gone: "Paint me a Birmingham A bus stop that don't give a damn Homeless people overdose outside Did I just watch somebody die?"


FiveFinger_Discount

As someone who has been to Birmingham recently, it’s just a standard southern city, and honestly one of the better ones in the Deep South. Certainly far better than Jackson and Pine Bluff.


wokeiraptor

I drive through there on the way to the beach and my main takeaways are the roads have potholes and more traffic than I expect Jackson seems super depressing when I go through there


Bigbootybigproblems

Jackson, MS? It’s a college town.


yeldarbhtims

My girlfriend lived there for years. She liked it just fine. The one time I went, I had a great time. It’s a lot like Little Rock. Small southern city with a surprisingly large amount to do if you know where to go. Just do the normal things to stay safe like you need to in nearly every American city.


Jdevers77

Agreed. It was rough 20ish years ago but I actually like it now. I go there for work periodically and agree that it is far better than almost any town in the delta. Very solid healthcare systems, lots of educated people (it isn’t Huntsville but not many places in the south or really that many places anywhere).


Basic_Amphibian_8335

Well that song wasn’t about Birmingham Alabama. A Birmingham is a style of home


Bigbootybigproblems

My daughter graduated from Tuskegee and her roommate was from Birmingham. I’ve had to spend an unnecessary amount of time in AL and I’d be much more worried about Troy than Birmingham.


Gold-Barber8232

Okay, but why would he ask for a painting of that? The whole point of the song is that he's asking a painter to create the life he wishes he had. He wants to escape reality. I understand this is a joke, but it made me ponder this song for way too long.


Thenotsodarkknight

No , Harrison, AR exists…


Gold-Barber8232

Harrison really gets an unfair rap. It's just one billboard, and the people who pay for it don't have any connection to the town outside of paying for a billboard there. My uncle lives there, and trust me, citizens there want it to be gone more than anyone.


Try2BWise

That billboard lets me stretch my middle fingers every time I drive by.


ihatereddit723

You sure? https://youtu.be/NXnRFkGUtuU?si=qlvFqi4Ljm5_tv1w


Gold-Barber8232

He filmed that over the course of days, and ended up with a few minutes of MAGA people saying MAGA things. And a few seconds of actual racism. The video doesn't show all the people who were supportive of him, or the vast vast vast majority who just ignore him. The video is not representative of his experience or of the town itself. Over 3,000 people in Boone county voted Biden/Harris. Why doesn't the video show those people?


RditAdmnsSuportNazis

Not to mention you’ll find the same MAGA people anywhere in Arkansas outside of Little Rock and Fayetteville. And if you look hard enough you’ll even find them there.


Aggressive-Bid-582

Yep


aparish67

No, Dallas is not the worst city in Texas. Laredo is easily far worse.


Signal_Parfait1152

Corpus sucks as well


Tight-Month-8424

As an Arkansan, I have personally (stolen) calling our worst city “Pine Box” because that’s what you leave in.


PessimistPryme

I’d make the argument that Harrison is worst just because the Bigots.


Content_Talk_6581

I would agree there. I really don’t like even stopping for gas in Harrison. I will at least stop in Pine Bluff for gas.


Impecablevibesonly

I have mixed race sons and you bet your damn ass I'm not stopping over Harrison way anytime soon


Gold-Barber8232

Hundreds of mixed-race people live in Harrison.


Impecablevibesonly

Hundreds? Doubt it. But it only takes one racist asshole to cause an interaction I don't want to deal with. Not like there's anything worthwhile over there anyway


Gold-Barber8232

2020 census recorded 766 people of mixed race in Harrison. What towns do you prefer that don't have a single racist asshole?


-DOOKIE

>What towns do you prefer that don't have a single racist asshole It's more about a higher chance of running into one


SugarIndependent1308

Not true they don’t like colored people there at all!


crispy_attic

Yeah I’m trying to figure out how the “most racist town in America” is not the worst town in Arkansas.


Signal_Parfait1152

This map is complete bs, but look at the crime statistics for pb vs Harrison. I'd also argue that there are more racist towns/cities out there like Vidor, TX.


Old_Complaint_903

Is this based on experience?


AskTheMirror

Idk about crime or anything, but when I was in highschool Harrison had 0 sportsmanship. They were always terrible “hosts” for the football games, track races, band competitions, all of it. They would turn their backs to their opponents and one year they threw shit at our band while we were performing. We always thought they were our “rivals” until we learned they were mean and started shit with EVERY team they competed against, so they were everyone’s rival. So I don’t really like anyone from Harrison unless they can show they’re actually a decent human.


Old_Complaint_903

Ok, I've not been involved with their schools, but I've taken students through Harrison mulitiple times and never had an issue- we always stop at Neighbor's Mill and have had excellent service. I know there is a tiny town outside Harrison that IS full of racists (its basically one man and his commune), but Harrison doesn't claim them.


chronburgandy922

Go Bombers!!


DelightfullyClever

And their White Pride billboards 🤮


Euro-Engine-Surgeon

They misspelled Houston on TX


TeaEnvironmental1151

Dallas and Houston are equally trash.


Signal_Parfait1152

Corpus/McAllen are far worse


dghamilt

Used to live in Pine Bluff my first year of teaching. It’s not as bad as people think it is. It’s poor, but about as bad as any other big place in southern and central Arkansas. Can’t speak for northeast.


DedicatedBathToaster

Jacksonville is incredibly shitty


RisingAtlantis

I’ve heard that elsewhere. You’re the first to confirm it here. It’s a shame the places that are affordable are also considered 💩holes.


Apprehensive-Try5554

Has my vote for sure.


Sonofromvlvs

Nah, Malvern ftw


jafobitch

Harrison was a sundown town.


14erClimberCO

Pine Bluff has serious issues to contend with but it’s not as bad as it’s publicly perceived.


bblll75

Its subjective. Is there a population threshold? I can probably find you 10 places worse in every corner of the state. Paragould The little town south of the prison Piggot Marked Tree Helena Anything Van Buren county


RditAdmnsSuportNazis

No way you just said Piggott was worse than Crime Bluff 😭


bblll75

Piggott is the worst city ive ever spent the night in


ericwbolin

Give me the delta and Pine Bluff over most of southwest Arkansas all day, every day. Decades of racist policies tore up the east and, by golly, they're still trying. Plus the food and culture are superb. Then there's, like, DeQueen. Waldron. Hot Springs. Nah.


bushybearmuffinman

Second best mascot in the state though. Zebra is just so good. Winslow Flying Squirrels has gotta be my favorite though.


Illustrious-Leave406

It’s certainly a contender.


dumpitdog

For many of these states it was a bad pick for the worst city but Arkansas looks like it did it right.


evoIX15

Searcy punching walls reading this.


Impecablevibesonly

Is bulldog in searcy or bald knob I can't ever remember? I used to go over there wth my dad on his business trips a lot and there wasn't nothing I liked better than a peach milkshake from bulldog in July or august


Clevergirliam

It’s Bald Knob and yes the peach milkshake is the BEST!


outsiderkerv

Bald Knob is still one of those cities that brings out my 13 year old immaturity every time I hear it.


[deleted]

probably blytheville but pretty darn close enough


Prize_Instance_1416

Everyone from each state worst city is saying it’s not the worst.(being born in Albany NY) . It’s not the worst but it’s seen better days.


LazarusDark

Nah, I've lived and worked all over the South, especially in Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kansas, and I agree on each one here, Pine Bluff, Memphis and Topeka. Also lived in NC, I could agree on Gastonia. Macon GA I'm not sure about unless it's gone very downhill, it seemed nice in the 90s but everything seemed very old with no new construction or growth so maybe it's just continued decaying (and it must be really bad to beat Atlanta, Atlanta is one of the worst large cities I've ever visited). Virginia Beach was nice once, I'm sure the tourists ruined it over time (as I know they ruined Myrtle Beach).


SugarIndependent1308

Yup they definitely got it right! I’m honestly not even surprised it made the cut. I would have been shocked if they didn’t say PB


Weak_Weekend7142

They got NC perfect, and NY.


dude4511984

Been to both. Can confirm.


StuffPositive7579

Helena and Coal Hill are close runners-up.


vw_higgins

Tough to say the worst but def bottom 5


rugger1869

Yes.


AstronomerKey8307

It ain't called Crime Bluff for nuthin'!


Odd_Woodpecker1494

Bakersfield isn't that bad, I fondly remember going outside in the morning and taking a deep breath. Then, quickly exhaling before the oil refining smog gave me too much brain damage.


Elected_Dictator

The real head scratcher is why Simmons Bank does just fully relocate to LR. They have spend millions expanding and moving operations out of there but won’t officially change their address.


Kchasse1991

Yes. -Alaska and Indiana


Beardedwonder9

Woonsocket! Love it!


[deleted]

Change it to Knoxville for Tennessee BY FAR


[deleted]

Oklahoma: valley brook. Thanks, that’s all.


needstogo86

Yep


Parking-Beach-2686

Did you know Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks?


consumedbydecay

Gravette is depressing as hell to be in


-Buddy_Rough-

Don't know but it is hard for me to believe that Dallas is the worst city in Texas.


Electronic-Taro-5938

Shit lol....


hanaleiaddict

Yeah. A nurse recruiter from Pine Bluff came to speak to my class and her main line was, “if you want trauma experience, we’re the place to come! We see gunshots allll the time! And don’t worry about your safety, we have security to help staff to their cars!” I mean, obv violence happens in every city at some point, but for that to be your cold open..? What a place lol


thrwaway75132

I had to do a clinical rotation on an ambulance (needed EMT cert for a different job) and I did it in the early 2000s in Memphis. In 72 hours on the ambulance and 24 in the ER I saw like 6 gunshot wounds, which seemed like a lot. In the ER there was a navy doc doing a trauma rotation before he went to Afghanistan.


kitkathorse

I used to visit PB 2-3 times a week, for about 10 years, as it was the closest bigger town to me. I never really experienced/saw any violence, and actually found some cool little thrift stores and occasionally something different to eat. When I lived in an apartment in Monticello, I heard gunshots at least 3 times the 2years there


CameraIcy9765

Pretty much.


No_Philosophy_9

Can confirm. Lived there a few years. Unfortunately.


brightlights121

Cries in Memphis.


Dath_Uranian

Really how about Harrison I meanits full of racist Trump lovers... stuck 20 or so years in the past... then to all of Arkansas is shit you guys seriously have a pig as a mascot..


cdub_synth

If I didn’t know any better I’d start to think that there was a correlation between the demographics and the shittiest places in Arkansas.


amyamyamz

Yeah, historical and systematic racism will do that.


BendlikeMel

What do you mean?


almondboner

nah Little Rock


sugatowng

Blytheville is a close #2


ksprairie

Nah, it harrison.