McKeesport, PA, United States

The population of just 17,727 reflects the city's steady decline since its manufacturing heyday, and those who remain face a heavy tax burden and bureaucratic headaches. As the steel industry has moved elsewhere, McKeesport has struggled to reinvent itself, with a hot, humid climate and some lingering safety concerns in the former mill areas. While the city hosts a lively ethnic festival, the days of rapid growth and national prominence are long gone - McKeesport is best suited for those drawn to its historical roots and willing to navigate its challenges.