Why do people hate New York City? StatisNostics explores why urban decline is on the rise.

In the second half of 2023, The New York Times conducted a survey of over 6,600 NYC households to determine how residents felt about their city. The survey found that only half of New Yorkers plan on staying in the city the next couple years. People want out. New York has historically been known for their booming economy and metropolitan charm, so why are the residents so eager to leave? 

Mainly because they’re unhappy with their quality of life. According to the Times’ survey, only 29.8% of New Yorkers described their quality of life as “excellent” or “good”. Residents are also concerned with the safety in their communities. New York was run through StatisNostics, a database that utilizes U.S. government census data, to analyze the city’s public safety statistics. With a high crime score of 89 out of 100, New York has 571 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. The property crime numbers are even higher with 1,460 crimes per 100,000 residents and 1,276 larceny thefts.

Another large reason that people are itching to leave the city is poverty rates. Despite being known for its economic opportunity, the poverty rates in NYC continue to grow. According to StatisNostics, 15% of New York residents are below the poverty line. That number sounds pretty low, but that 15% totals to 654,232 residents living in poverty. The other 85% measure residents living above or at the line, meaning the amount of New York residents living in poverty is even greater.

In his work The Future of Cities, economic columnist Joel Kotkin agrees. He writes that poverty in New York has remained “stubbornly high,” and that big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle have turned into breeding grounds for homelessness, drug markets, and disease. Kotkin also points out that New York has taken a big loss in industrial jobs and growth in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for the middle and lower class to secure employment.

However, NYC’s struggles extend far beyond financial and industrial loss. As residents become more and more frustrated with their quality of life, there arises concern for the future endurance of The Empire City.

1. Rubinstein, Dana. “Is New York Better off than It Was 7 Years Ago? New Yorkers Say No.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/nyregion/new-yorkers-poll-survey.html.

2. O’Neill, Jesse, et al. “Half of All New Yorkers Will Flee City in next 5 Years as Quality of Life Plummets Post-Pandemic: Poll.” New York Post, New York Post, 19 Mar. 2024, nypost.com/2024/03/19/us-news/less-than-one-in-three-yorkers-planning-to-flee-city-and-just-30-are-happy-with-quality-of-life-survey/#.

Cover Photo Credit: slab design