Springfield Ohio close to Dayton is even sadder in its decline. The Upper Valley Mall, the major shopping hub, has been about half empty of rented store spaces for some time and it was booming in the early half of the 1980s. The stores across the street in a strip mall have largely gone out of business. Hills Department Store (like a Meijer’s) closed down half the store and then entirely. Next, a lovely 24-hour grocery (chain) with its own nice restarant closed down entirely.

So, it’s not just these 10 cities, but many across America that are suffering econoically and the middle class dipping to poverty levels.