Iowa is recognized for its amiable residents, fertile farmland, and affordable living costs. However, amidst these positives, there’s a spot in the Hawkeye State that stands out as particularly stressed, according to a recent Wall St. 24/7 study. Davenport, the largest city in the Quad Cities metropolitan area, claims the title of the most stressed city in Iowa.
Stress Measurement Criteria
Wall St. 24/7 utilized five criteria to gauge stress levels in U.S. cities:
- Unemployment rate
- Average hours worked per week
- Percentage of income spent on rent
- Percentage of adults without health insurance
- Violent crime rate per 100,000 people
Cities were ranked based on these factors, and the averages were computed to generate a stress score – higher scores indicating higher stress levels.
Davenport’s Stress Factors
Davenport scored 63.8, the highest stress score in Iowa and the 36th highest in the U.S. Key stress factors in Davenport include:
- Unemployment: Davenport’s 5.8% rate exceeded the state and national averages.
- Work Hours: Residents worked an average of 43 hours per week, more than state and national averages.
- Rent Burden: Davenport residents spent 45.1% of income on rent, surpassing state and national averages.
- Health Insurance: 5.8% of adults lacked health insurance, higher than state and national averages.
- Crime Rate: Davenport had a higher rate of violent crime compared to state and national averages.
Alleviating Stress in Davenport
Davenport holds promise, but challenges demand a collaborative effort. The city can reduce stress by:
- Job Creation: Focus on local business support, especially in manufacturing, education, and healthcare.
- Affordable Housing: Introduce housing options like subsidized housing, rent control, and housing vouchers.
- Healthcare Access: Expand healthcare coverage through Medicaid, community health centers, and telehealth services.
- Crime Reduction: Implement community policing, crime prevention, and victim support programs.
- Wellness Initiatives: Promote wellness through parks, trails, libraries, and cultural events.
Davenport, despite its stressors, possesses significant potential. Through joint efforts, the city and its residents can tackle challenges and transform Davenport into a more serene and livable community.