Louisiana Lands 2 on ‘Worst Run Cities in America’ List

LOUISIANA - Louisiana is known for our incredible food, unique culture, and some of the friendliest people you'll ever meet. Unfortunately, a new national study suggests that when it comes to city management, several Louisiana communities still have some work to do.

A recently released WalletHub report ranking the best and worst run cities in America found that a couple of Louisiana cities landed near the bottom of the list, raising questions about public services, infrastructure, safety, and overall efficiency. According to the study, Louisiana continues to struggle in areas that directly affect residents' quality of life.

How The Rankings Were Determined

WalletHub examined 148 of the nation's largest cities and compared the quality of services residents receive against the amount of money local governments spend per person.

According to wallethub.com, researchers evaluated dozens of factors across several categories, including:

Financial stability
Public safety
Education
Health services
Local economy
Infrastructure and pollution

READ MORE: Crime Data Names Louisiana’s Most Dangerous Cities

The goal was to determine which cities deliver the best value to taxpayers and which cities are getting the least return on public spending.

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Why These Rankings Matter To Louisiana

Studies like this aren't just about bragging rights.

City rankings can influence economic development, business investment, population growth, and even tourism. When cities perform well, they tend to attract new residents, employers, and investment opportunities. When they struggle, it can make these things much more difficult.

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Louisiana Cities Continue To Struggle

According to WalletHub's research, what two Louisiana cities are considered to be some of the worst run in America?

1. New Orleans, Louisiana - New Orleans came in at number 11 out of 148 as the worst run cities in America. Out of the three Louisiana cities on the list, New Orleans earns the title of Louisiana's worst run city.

2. Shreveport, Louisiana - Shreveport comes in at number 17 out of 148 on WalletHub's list of the worst run cities in America.

READ MORE: Harsher DWI Penalties in Louisiana to Start August 2026

According to yahoo.com Shreveport is "also ranked 146th for financial stability, 86th for education, 142nd for health, 136th for safety, 113th for economy, as well as 116th for infrastructure and pollution."

For Louisiana residents, the study serves as another reminder that while our state excels in culture, food, music, and community, there's still work to be done when it comes to delivering the services and opportunities that help cities thrive.

You can read more and take a deep dive into the rankings over at wallethub.com.