Galesburg, IL, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 30,052, Galesburg is a sleepy Rust Belt town that feels a world away from the glitz and glamor of coastal America. The median household income is a meager $37,322, and nearly 20% of the population lives below the poverty line. The area's railroad legacy lives on, with BNSF Railway remaining the city's largest private employer, but the loss of the Maytag plant has left many struggling. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, with the controversial demolition of the historic CB&Q depot in 1983 a case in point. Those seeking a quiet, affordable slice of Americana may find Galesburg a good fit, but the lack of economic opportunity and heavy air of decline means this city is not for the faint of heart.