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America’s 50 Dirtiest Cities

America’s 50 Dirtiest Cities

A lot was going on in 1969, from the moon landing to the Manson murders to the Woodstock music festival to the “Chicago 8” trial, so it’s easy to understand why a relatively small fire on the surface of Cleveland’s Cuyahoga River on June 22 of that year is often overlooked when people talk about the year that defined an era in the United States.

Sparked by a passing rail car, the fire ignited what was already the notoriously polluted river bisecting Cleveland, once a major hub of the iron trade. The river had already caught fire at least a dozen times over the previous century, including a massive blaze in 1952, but this time the fire elicited a different reaction after it was featured in the national press: It became a symbol of the nascent environmental movement.

While American has come a long way from the days of smog-choked cities and burning rivers, pollution persists in various ways. Cities can suffer from poor air and water quality, as well as overcrowded, trash-strewn, vermin-infested living conditions that drive down qualities of life, and lifespans, especially in poorer and marginalized communities. (These issues are hardly unique to the U.S. These are the world’s most stressed-out cities.)

For understandable reasons, the dirtiest cities tend to be the most crowded ones. But determining which cities are worse than others depends on different factors, such as the level of air pollution caused by local industries. A city might rank high on effective waste disposal but get low marks due to poor living conditions. 

To identify America’s dirtiest cities, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a ranking created by LawnStarter, a lawn care start-up that frequently conducts research into city and state amenities. The site compared the country’s 200 largest cities across 20 key metrics, encompassing indicators of pollution, living conditions, resident satisfaction with city cleanliness, and infrastructure factors to assign each one an overall score. (These are America’s least and most environmentally friendly states.)

To that score and the ranking of each city of resident satisfaction with city cleanliness, 24/7 Tempo added each municipality’s average daily PM2.5 (the concentration of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) per cubic meter of air, drawn from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. Total population is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey five-year estimates.

Source: albertc111 / iStock via Getty Images

50. Torrance, California
> LawnStarter score: 36.5
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #156 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 145,492

Source: Stewart Sutton / Photodisc via Getty Images

49. Lancaster, California
> LawnStarter score: 36.6 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #156 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 159,028

Source: aphotostory / iStock via Getty Images

48. Arlington, Texas
> LawnStarter score: 36.6 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #91 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 395,477

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

47. Chandler, Arizona
> LawnStarter score: 36.7
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #142 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 252,692

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

46. Newport News, Virginia
> LawnStarter score: 37.3 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #4 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 179,673

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

45. Modesto, California
> LawnStarter score: 37.3 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #10 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12.6 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 212,616

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

44. Santa Ana, California
> LawnStarter score: 37.6
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #35 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.4 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 332,794

Source: tntemerson / Getty Images

43. Stockton, California
> LawnStarter score: 38.5
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #5 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 14.1 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 309,228

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

42. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
> LawnStarter score: 38.8
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #19 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 1,579,075

Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images

41. Pomona, California
> LawnStarter score: 38.9 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #156 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 152,209

Source: LPETTET / Getty Images

40. Bakersfield, California
> LawnStarter score: 38.9 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #9 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 16 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 377,917

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

39. Birmingham, Alabama
> LawnStarter score: 39.3
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #79 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 212,297

Source: Citysqwirl / iStock via Getty Images

38. Pasadena, Texas
> LawnStarter score: 39.5 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #156 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10.1 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 153,350

Source: kyletperry / iStock via Getty Images

37. Peoria, Arizona
> LawnStarter score: 39.5 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #120 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 168,196

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

36. Scottsdale, Arizona
> LawnStarter score: 39.6
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #99 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 250,602

Source: CHBD / Getty Images

35. Tampa, Florida
> LawnStarter score: 40.1 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #105 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8.6 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 387,916

Source: CHUYN / iStock via Getty Images

34. Miami, Florida
> LawnStarter score: 40.1 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #50 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 7.7 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 454,279

Source: Faina Gurevich / iStock via Getty Images

33. Aurora, Colorado
> LawnStarter score: 40.5
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #51 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.2 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 369,111

Source: JeffreyRasmussen / iStock via Getty Images

32. Tempe, Arizona
> LawnStarter score: 40.6
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #93 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 187,454

Source: MattGush / Getty Images

31. Riverside, California
> LawnStarter score: 40.8
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #44 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 14.1 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 326,414

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

30. Henderson, Nevada
> LawnStarter score: 41
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #60 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 300,116

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

29. Jersey City, New Jersey
> LawnStarter score: 41.3
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #25 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.6 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 261,940

Source: stellalevi / Getty Images

28. San Francisco, California
> LawnStarter score: 41.6
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #24 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 7.6 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 874,961

Source: benkrut / Getty Images

27. Akron, Ohio
> LawnStarter score: 41.7
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #29 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10.3 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 198,051

Source: TriggerPhoto / iStock via Getty Images

26. Kansas City, Kansas
> LawnStarter score: 42.1
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #67 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 152,522

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

25. Fresno, California
> LawnStarter score: 42.5
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #6 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 14.4 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 525,010

Source: halbergman / E+ via Getty Images

24. Santa Clarita, California
> LawnStarter score: 42.7
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #139 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 213,411

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

23. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
> LawnStarter score: 42.8
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #111 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8.4 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 643,692

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

22. Dallas, Texas
> LawnStarter score: 43
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #47 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 1,330,612

Source: leekris / iStock via Getty Images

21. Fort Worth, Texas
> LawnStarter score: 43.2
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #18 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 874,401

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

20. San Jose, California
> LawnStarter score: 43.5
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #28 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.1 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 1,027,690

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

19. Las Vegas, Nevada
> LawnStarter score: 43.6
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #31 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 634,773

Source: espiegle / iStock via Getty Images

18. Detroit, Michigan
> LawnStarter score: 44.1 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #3 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 11.3 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 674,841

Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images

17. Anaheim, California
> LawnStarter score: 44.1 (tie)
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #22 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.4 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 349,964

Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images

16. Pasadena, California
> LawnStarter score: 44.3
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #107 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 141,258

Source: MattGush / iStock via Getty Images

15. Fontana, California
> LawnStarter score: 44.4
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #21 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 14.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 210,759

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

14. Phoenix, Arizona
> LawnStarter score: 44.8
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #38 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 1,633,017

Source: Richard Phillips / iStock via Getty Images

13. Mesa, Arizona
> LawnStarter score: 45
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #43 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 499,720

Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

12. Glendale, California
> LawnStarter score: 46.3
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #78 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 200,232

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

11. Aurora, Illinois
> LawnStarter score: 46.4
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #52 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 7.8 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 199,927

Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images

10. Chicago, Illinois
> LawnStarter score: 46.5
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #63 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 2,709,534

Source: Nclauzing / Getty Images

9. Memphis, Tennessee
> LawnStarter score: 46.9
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #14 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8.7 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 651,932

Source: Lux Blue / iStock via Getty Images

8. Long Beach, California
> LawnStarter score: 48
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #70 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 466,776

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

7. New Orleans, Louisiana
> LawnStarter score: 48.4
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #36 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 7.5 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 390,845

Source: GCShutter / Getty Images

6. New York, New York
> LawnStarter score: 49.2
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #13 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 9 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 8,419,316

Source: leekris / iStock via Getty Images

5. San Antonio, Texas
> LawnStarter score: 49.3
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #34 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 7.3 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 1,508,083

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

4. Houston, Texas
> LawnStarter score: 50
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #33 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 10.1 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 2,310,432

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

3. Newark, New Jersey
> LawnStarter score: 54.3
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #2 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 8.9 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 281,054

Source: Melpomenem / Getty Images

2. Los Angeles, California
> LawnStarter score: 54.7
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #12 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 3,966,936

Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1. Palmdale, California
> LawnStarter score: 55.3
> Resident satisfaction with city cleanliness: #7 worst out of 200 cities
> Avg daily PM2.5 (county): 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter
> Population: 156,293

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