Pittsburgh 5th poorest big city, (Philadelphia, Reading: section 8, crime, school)

[zip95]

Apparently the rebirth is still on hold.

"...Pittsburgh residents...still live in one of the poorest large cities in the United States..."

"...The $24,941 median household income in Youngstown made it the lowest-earning smaller city..."

"...The share of Appalachians living in poverty last year increased by 114,000..."

Link to article

Disregard the shameless segway into partisan politics at the end of the article.

[BPP1999]

With Pennsylvania's brainless, idiot politicians, it's really no wonder why our cities continue to suffer. It's not as if anyone in Harrisburg really cares about their constituents. As long as the patronage jobs are doled out, unions remain in control, and nothing changes, our elected officials are fine.

[Icy Tea]

Reading's poverty percentage was a whopping 35%( worst city in the state) although its surrounding county Berks was only about 11%. Philadelphia's was over 20% with the county and city being the same. I also remember reading that Shippensburg had the highest percentage of poverty of a community. Its surrounding county was 5th in highest median income. Berks was 10th, basically tied for 9th.
I think its proof that more effort needs to be done to spread out section 8 and public housing and households on assistance and disperse them rather than concentrating the counties poor in one area. Norristown, Coatesville, are two other examples. You have pockets of poverty and crime in otherwise economically healthy areas.
Reading's major problem is a large number of spanish immigrants who can't speak english and therefore do poorly in school and poorly in the workforce. Total immersion english only teaching is needed from the earliest grades.

[Pilot1]

Pittsburgh has always been a rustbelt city with more in common with Detroit and Youngstown than the other big city across the state. Their are bright spots in Pittsburgh, but they are not going to save the area economically.

[dugdogmaster]

For one thing, this is being reported wrongly. It's median household income, not who lives below the poverty line.

[olivvie]

while Philadelphia has over 20% in poverty it also has about 1.5 million people

[bethany12]

There will never be a rebirth as long as the same political system is in place. This state has been under a one party rule for decades and it isn't going to change anytime soon so be prepared for even worse in the coming years.

[pman]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Pittsburgh has always been a rustbelt city with more in common with Detroit and Youngstown than the other big city across the state. Their are bright spots in Pittsburgh, but they are not going to save the area economically.

that's way over the top. yes it's rustbelt (and so is Philly in many ways) but detroit and youngstown? no way. maybe cleveland and Milwaukee. I can't imagine anyone who has been both to Detroit and Pittsburgh would ever say such a thing.

[danwxman]

Why was this bumped?

[SewickleyPA]

Originally Posted by Pilot1

Pittsburgh has always been a rustbelt city with more in common with Detroit and Youngstown than the other big city across the state. Their are bright spots in Pittsburgh, but they are not going to save the area economically.

This is a silly statement, what other big cities are there other than Philly? Also, did this article even factor in the lower cost of living in Pittsburgh than most cities? I would think not. I have been to both cities and Pitt does not seem any poorer than Philly to me.