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World Side

World Side

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👁 356,633 views

ISOLATED in AMERICA!! 15 Small Towns in North Carolina Where Life Is Getting Harder Every Year

Video Overview & Insights

ISOLATED in AMERICA!! 15 Small Towns in North Carolina Where Life Is Getting Harder Every Year #worldside #northcarolina #smalltown #struggling #ruralamerica #documentary

It would be infinitely more helpful if you introduced each town by putting a pin in a stationary map of NC. The rotating map is very annoying.

— @JuliaAnderson-q4w

North Carolina is known for its beautiful coastline, historic towns, and prestigious universities. From the Outer Banks to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the state often appears prosperous and full of opportunity. But beyond the tourist destinations and fast-growing cities lies another reality—one that many visitors never see.

Across rural parts of the state, small towns are quietly struggling. Local industries have disappeared, young residents have moved away, and many communities now face shrinking populations and limited economic opportunities.

Yeah. Welding. Sure no that area. Terrible. Halifax. Roanoke rapids.

— @marquitabyrd4263

In this documentary, we explore 15 struggling small towns across North Carolina, examining the economic pressures, demographic changes, and social challenges shaping everyday life in these places.

The journey begins in Scotland Neck, once a busy trade hub along the Roanoke River that now faces severe economic hardship and one of the lowest income levels in the state. Nearby towns like Red Springs, Maxton, and Rowland share similar stories—communities that once depended on tobacco, farming, or local industry but now struggle to create new opportunities for residents.

Yep. No that area..terrible. yes.

— @marquitabyrd4263

Other places on the list reveal different forms of decline. Belhaven, a small fishing town along the Pungo River, faces high poverty rates despite its scenic waterfront. Weldon, historically important for rail transportation, has seen population loss and rising property crime. Lumberton and Kinston, once supported by strong manufacturing sectors, continue to deal with the long-term effects of factory closures and outsourcing.

Even towns with strong cultural traditions, such as Whiteville with its county fair or Chadbourn, known as the Strawberry Capital of North Carolina, are feeling economic pressure as jobs disappear and younger generations move away.

I am from Cherokee County,N.C and we have a lot of isolated areas and hollows in our county

— @judishaw6105

These towns are not abandoned. Schools still operate, festivals continue, and communities work hard to preserve their identity. But the economic challenges they face are real—and often overlooked.

This video takes a closer look at the quieter side of North Carolina, where the postcard image of the state meets the complex realities of rural life.

And Walnut Cove wasnt on this list.

— @I-L1KE-GH0STS

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00:00 — The Hidden Side of North Carolina

Please be careful,when it comes to vi😂deos like this, 99% of the times its more race basic.

— @berrysealey5628

01:06 — Scotland Neck

02:19 — Red Springs

Crime and violence have always been a major issue in Robeson County, NC!

— @berrysealey5628

03:30 — Maxton

04:38 — Belhaven

Dude you don't even talk like you are from hhere.I have lived in Nc all my life!

— @snapperproman21370

05:41 — Weldon

06:53 — Lumberton

Iam moving to Orrum nc 🤟🏾 lil small remote town

— @0nly_1ki

08:01 — Kinston

09:05 — Whiteville

Beaufort county is pronounced Bow-fort!

— @cindymarks1369

10:06 — Yanceyville

11:07 — Laurinburg

WNC I love the little town called Clyde

— @ThomasGoodro-ww9mo

12:09 — Chadbourn

13:31 — Rowland

and this is why nc prisons are in all these towns. Tabor city, the drug treatment program is in Roberson County. they provide jobs.

— @greyhatdone

14:36 — Tabor City

15:46 — St. Pauls

I need a Art studio in 1 of those downtown empty buildings...Art culture gives these places life

— @louhawkART

16:41 — Lucama

=============

This video is full of B.S The video depicts a picture of Hispanic people on old dilapidated homes but fails to tell the truth N and S Carolina have a huge population of negroes 😠 not even native American are pictured . 👎👎

— @MosesGomez-s3d

👇 Discover more captivating videos👇

🔴 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xftLGIN4ksg

❤ North Carolina my home sweet home! ❤

— @ashleypenley7303

🔴 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuNBdK5uDPQ&pp=0gcJCa4KAYcqIYzv

🔴 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnY7_-IXJoc

And what do more than half of these have in common? All voted blue for entirely too long or still are.

— @TheWanderPaws

=============

DISCLAIMER

What a load of bs

— @Steven-d2g

Please note: The thumbnail is for visual engagement and may not fully reflect video content. This video is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes, based on publicly available sources. While we strive for thoughtful, well-researched information, we don't guarantee absolute accuracy or completeness, nor does it constitute professional advice. Viewers are encouraged to verify facts independently. This content aims to present diverse viewpoints and foster positive dialogue, not to discredit or harm. Please engage with a critical and open mind. Thank you for watching!

Fair Use Disclaimer:

Hildebran, NC born and raised.. very quiet small town just on the tip of the foothills in western part. limited job opportunities, but with decent housing and remodeling with mountainous views. its only for the retirees who can afford this tiny spot on the map. i call it the beverly (hills)debran

— @smurk20

This channel may use some copyrighted materials without specific authorization of the owner but contents used here falls under the “Fair Use” Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use....

Why dont you show images of where exactly you're talking about and others not even relatable? Is it because your a YouTube encouraged AI crap station?

— @robertmoon6156

More User Perspectives

@

This is false and biased. I have visited some mountain towns in NC that is much worse than you are portraying in this video.

@BigSarge820-kq1zc
@

Really surprised Siler City isnt on this list!!! A former textile town that is now OVERRUN with illegal aliens thanks to the frigging chicken plants!!!

@mikegunter4600
@

NAFTA destroyed small towns in North and South Carolina. Ross Perot was right about all the jobs being taken, then the globalist mentality of George Bush and Bill Clinton went ahead and turned so many of these towns into majority welfare recipients, and started the dying off. Some towns have recovered but many still haven't.

@uplink5
@

NAFTA really hurt the textiles, farming, and furniture industries of NC.

@bigB6flyer
@

NAFTA the government policies and politicians that sold us out. Stoled our money. This is still happening as we speak. My advice to the local voter is.... If you're going to be stupid you got to be tough!

@paulmclaughlin9493
@

I live in Whiteville. One of the mentioned towns. Also not far from Tabor City, another mentioned. It's not the Azalea city. It's the Yam city. They are known for the Yam festival. Wilmington is known for the Azalea festival.

@TrueDisciple76
@

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took factories from the South to Asia.
A factory has jobs and also creates jobs.
There are car dealerships, grocery and furniture stores. Businesses florish because people have jobs.
These workers buy everything and everything grows.
Take those factories away and people who can leave.
No jobs so crime comes in.
Lower tax base me ans less services to improve things.
I'm describing my hometown just across the border from Lumberton and Whiteville.

@TerranceThomas-l4g
@

Pronunciation Lu calm A Lucama. The Bad Apple tavern there is awesome

@breakingthechainusa1007
@

North Carolina is racist, boring and is not too much opportunity out here a lot of us grow up trying to gtfoh 9 times out of 10 the ppl here end up with a criminal record or on drugs the path to nowhere good place to raise your kids but make sure they get out as they get grown the retirement state is what we call it nothin here

@JalilRhem
@

This is literally happening EVERYWHERE in the US. North Carolina isn't some special case.

@rikd5452
@

Born in Rocky Mount NC in 1965. It's now a dead town. All the factories have close over the last 30 years. The foundation of racism and Jim Crow truly ruined this town. Very sad but predictable. I left in 1983 . Still visit my family there breaks my heart.

@JrobbTarheels
@

If I had to guess, all these places have democrat leaders

@carolynbarsky
@

I remember the missing girl from Scotland Neck what a sad story.

@nostalgicgamer1363
@

This video show black people when you mention violence?😂😂😂

@bright560
@

These towns are all in Eastern NC. Sadly, there are many in the Central Piedmont region that are the same way.

@FM-ig3th
@

More like Trump is kicking them all off welfare, now it is time to grow t.

@cintroberts6614
@

I’m hoping Federal Recognition of the Lumbee Tribe will give Robeson County the lift it desperately needs. Makes me sad cause I know some amazing people living there.

@PavyMac
@

Welcome to Megacity.

@darwinblinks
@

Prison "plan it"

@datnotme9921
@

North Carolina is good all lies

@williehoward7438
@

Yes and then they continue to vote republican against their own interests. Lots of gang activity in those small towns too!

@mattsanchez4893
@

And they keep voting for Republicans can blame it on Democrats

@eman67rp
@

Vance county nc is 1 .wit a 🏠 🥷. Name squarel aka Darren 😂😂😂👍🏿👍🏿

@mikericks8829
@

Looks like Sundown Towns to me...😏

@seanvales073
@

Tobacco is no longer king. Racism is alive and well. We need to uphold equal education. Vote Blue

@lindacherry5800
@

Offshoring jobs, increased globalization, natural disasters, drugs, and general poverty have ruined many a small towns across the US. North Carolina is no exception. There are still plenty of fine places to live, but like many other states, there are quite a few towns that will never likely do much more than their peak in history, without strong intervention and help, which is long past. Some towns were literally wiped off the map due to events like hurricane Floyd and are a ghost of their former selves.

@hauntofroulettedares
@

Also the smell of those wonderful hog farms

@Screwlooseberry
@

I quit watching the mu-Zak was unwanted , too loud , and distracting…

@UltraLimitedHD
@

Garbage, cherry picking content.

@ferencharaszti5031
@

These thumb nails get me all the time!!😅 But still great information.

@arenzie1964
@

I card .NC is a small one who shutdown with the hosiery mills

@bobbiejeannebarnes2095