Shreveport, LA, United States

Capital City

With a population of 187,593, Shreveport is a gritty, blue-collar town that never quite recovered from the collapse of its oil and manufacturing industries. Plagued by a lagging economy, the city struggles with high poverty, crime rates 149% above the national average, and a notoriously oppressive summer heat. Shreveport's bureaucratic headaches are also a constant source of frustration, from the city's failed attempts to revive its moribund Mardi Gras celebrations to the ongoing saga of its downtown redevelopment plans. Unless you're drawn to the area's casinos, cultural heritage, or affordability, this struggling Louisiana outpost is likely best avoided.