I don't think this is the kind of "honor" that Indiana wants. Do you think you know which Indiana city is the most "miserable" in the country?

Indiana is much more than just the city of Indianapolis. In fact, the state is full of a lot of great small towns. In the past, we have highlighted quite a few in articles such as an Indiana small town that makes you feel like you are in a Hallmark movieHGTV names the most charming small town in Indiana, and the best must-visit small town in Indiana. That being said, it's also apparent that not every town/city in Indiana is great. Sure it might have some cool aspects, but overall, it might not be the best place to live. We highlighted a few of those in an article about the worst small towns in Indiana. Now, another not-so-good ranking has found one city in Indiana at the top of the list.

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The website, A Lot Travel, ranked the most miserable city in each state. You might be wondering how they determined how miserable a city is, right? Well, it appears that they used data from the U.S. Census Bureau Quick Facts and AreaVibes to find each city's poverty rate, median household income, crime rate, and unemployment rate to come to their conclusion. Apparently these statistics determine how miserable a town is. That being said, you'll have to scroll to the very bottom of that article to see Indiana's most miserable city. That's because it came in as America's most miserable city.

The Most Miserable City in America is Right Here in Indiana

Which Indiana city made the list? If you guessed Gary, you would be correct. A lot has changed with the city of Gary, Indiana since it was once praised in the classic musical "The Music Man."

A Lot Travel ranked Gary as the most miserable city in the United States. The data shows the following for Gary:

  • Poverty Rate: 32.3%
  • Median Household Income: $40,290
  • Crime Rate: 48.7 per 1,000 residents
  • Unemployment Rate: 8.2%

The article goes on to say:

The population of Gary has decreased in the past decades. It could have something to do with the fact that the median household income there is 40% below the national average, and approximately 32% of the city lives below the poverty level. If that wasn't enough to scare you away, the unemployment rate surely will (8.2%). The housing market has completely fallen, and the median home value in Gary is 63% lower than the national value. Trust us and try Fort Wayne, Indiana, instead.

We all have heard some not-so-pleasant things about Gary over the years, so I am not surprised by these findings. The question here is what can be done to fix the city's reputation and turn things around for the better?

16 Indiana Towns with Dirty-Sounding Names

A majority of these towns were given their names in the mid-to-late 1800s as settlers making their way across the country found unclaimed plots of land and decided to make them their own. While I imagine they thought the names they came up with were innocent, and perhaps a tribute to something in their lives, pop culture has warped our minds to the point since then that we can't help but think of something about the town that was never intended by its founders. Take a look at this list. I guarantee there's at least one name that will make you chuckle.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan

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KEEP READING: 40 Real Indiana Towns with Quirky, Weird, and Funny Names

Outside the major cities, the Hoosier state is full of tiny little towns you've probably passed through on your way to one of those cities. Most of them are likely 100 to 150 years old, or older, and have been around far longer than the large metropolitan areas such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, South Bend, and Evansville. Typically, they were started by early settlers who found their way to the state and decided to make it home. Eventually, others would join them, and a community was formed. Over time, as the surrounding areas grew, most of them were folded into those areas and governed by the nearest city or county's governing body officially making them "unincorporated," meaning they did not have their own formally organized municipal government.

A scroll through Wikipedia's long list of unincorporated communities in Indiana shows several of them have names that by today's standards would be considered weird, quirky, or just downright right funny. These are my 40 favorities.

Gallery Credit: Ryan O'Bryan

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