Anniston, Alabama
Aniston boasts the country’s largest chair and is the location where the “Freedom Riders” were attacked by the KKK, indicating an urgent need for the civil rights movement.
The community nowadays is racially diverse, with roughly 43 percent of its population listed as white and 51% listed as African American. There are lots of outdoor opportunities for those who visit this popular small town. So What’s the problem?
Well, Anniston has about 30% of its population living below what’s considered the poverty line. And it’s 2016, statistics showed 23.75 violent crimes for every 1,000 citizens. Property crimes were also pretty high at nearly 76 per 1,000.
Despite this, though, the community continues to deliver cultural programs for youth and to promote community involvement. Unfortunately, with such a high crime rate, it’s difficult to attract new businesses, residents, or travelers.
Only time will tell if this once-thriving center of commerce will have a more prosperous future.
