Weirton, WV, United States

At just 19,163 residents, this former steel town is a shadow of its former self. The population has steadily dwindled over the decades, with the 2020 census recording a 2.9% drop from 2010. Weirton's glory days as the largest private employer in West Virginia are long gone, with the once-mighty Weirton Steel Corporation now reduced to a mere 800 workers. While the city boasts a few historic sites on the National Register, the broader reality is one of civic decay - the Times noted Brooke County had just 71 live births for every 100 deaths. Those seeking a quiet, affordable life in the Ohio Valley may find Weirton appealing, but the persistent bureaucratic headaches and dwindling opportunities make it a tough sell.