1. Maricopa County, Arizona
Maricopa County just can’t seem to stay out of the national spotlight—and not always for the best reasons. Home to Phoenix, it’s been ground zero for election denial controversies, especially following the 2020 presidential election. The county was the site of a heavily criticized partisan audit, which ultimately reaffirmed Biden’s win but left lasting damage. Election officials there have been harassed, and misinformation continues to cloud local politics.
Aside from elections, Maricopa has also dealt with issues surrounding its jails, particularly under former Sheriff Joe Arpaio. His legacy of controversial immigration raids and the infamous “Tent City” jail still haunts the region. Lawsuits and federal investigations have cost taxpayers millions. The national media keeps circling back to Maricopa—and not with flattering coverage.
2. Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is best known as home to Chicago, and unfortunately, it often grabs headlines for its struggles with violent crime. Gun violence in particular has become a deeply rooted issue, with some of the highest homicide numbers in the nation. While city and county leaders have tried various interventions, the results are often mixed or short-lived. The public perception of Chicago as a city in crisis often reflects poorly on the entire county.
Beyond crime, Cook County has had major corruption scandals over the years. From the Blagojevich saga to ongoing investigations into city aldermen, there’s a long history of political dysfunction. The county court system is also frequently criticized for backlogs and inequities. It’s a place that draws attention, but often for all the wrong reasons.
3. Los Angeles County, California
LA County is massive and influential—but with great size comes great scrutiny. It’s constantly in the news for homelessness, which has reached crisis levels across both the city and surrounding areas. Despite spending billions in funding, the problem only seems to grow, drawing national frustration and media attention. Encampments on sidewalks, underpasses, and even near schools have become symbols of broader systemic failure.
The county has also struggled with public safety debates, particularly over efforts to defund or reform the LA Sheriff’s Department. The department has been plagued by scandals involving deputy gangs and excessive use of force. Internal accountability has often been slow or ineffective. Between the homelessness crisis and law enforcement woes, LA County is always a headline away from controversy.
4. Hinds County, Mississippi
Hinds County, home to the state capital of Jackson, has been grappling with major infrastructure and governance failures. The most glaring issue has been the city’s water system, which collapsed in 2022, leaving residents without safe drinking water for weeks. Boil notices and system breakdowns have been distressingly common. Federal assistance has arrived, but long-term fixes are still uncertain.
On top of that, the local jail system is under a federal consent decree due to horrid conditions and mismanagement. Inmates have died, riots have occurred, and the facility is frequently understaffed. Hinds County’s struggles with basic services paint a grim picture of institutional neglect. It’s become a cautionary tale about what happens when infrastructure and leadership fail at the same time.
5. Shelby County, Tennessee
Shelby County, where Memphis is located, has been making headlines for rising violent crime rates. The tragic kidnapping and murder of Eliza Fletcher in 2022 brought national focus to the area. Carjackings, shootings, and youth violence have become persistent problems, leaving many residents feeling unsafe. Political battles over how to respond have only heightened tensions.
Law enforcement controversies add to the scrutiny. In 2023, the brutal beating and death of Tyre Nichols by Memphis police officers shocked the nation. The incident sparked protests and renewed discussions around policing and racial justice. Shelby County’s name has been in national news far too often—and not for reasons anyone would want.
6. Harris County, Texas
Harris County, which includes Houston, keeps popping up in national conversations around urban crime, flooding, and partisan brawls. The area has suffered through multiple catastrophic flooding events, including Hurricane Harvey, and is still working on long-term resilience strategies. Meanwhile, the criminal justice system is overwhelmed, with a massive court backlog and a growing jail population. Some violent offenders have been released due to overcrowding and delays.
Political infighting has also made headlines, with Democrats and Republicans battling over everything from election management to budget priorities. In 2022, GOP officials even called for the arrest of election staff over unfounded fraud claims. Harris County’s blend of disaster recovery, legal chaos, and political gridlock keeps it on the media radar. It’s a perfect storm of challenges—and it’s not letting up.
7. Fulton County, Georgia
Fulton County is now practically synonymous with the legal fallout from Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The county is home to Atlanta, where District Attorney Fani Willis indicted Trump and several allies for their actions following the election. The case has drawn global attention and sparked threats against local officials. It’s one of the most consequential legal battles in recent American history.
But Fulton’s troubles don’t stop there. The jail system is under scrutiny after multiple inmate deaths and overcrowding concerns. Like many large counties, it’s dealing with a rise in homelessness and housing inequality. From politics to public safety, Fulton County has become a flashpoint.
8. Multnomah County, Oregon
Portland, located in Multnomah County, became a symbol of national unrest during the 2020 protests. Night after night of clashes between protesters and federal agents brought the city into living rooms across the country. Even years later, downtown Portland is still recovering from damage and perception issues. Business closures and rising homelessness have added to the concerns.
The county is also in the midst of a drug crisis, made worse by the controversial decriminalization of small drug amounts under Measure 110. While well-intentioned, the measure has faced backlash for not pairing decriminalization with adequate treatment infrastructure. Overdose deaths have increased, and political leaders are now reconsidering the policy. Multnomah County is an example of what happens when progressive experiments meet real-world challenges.
9. Baltimore County, Maryland
While Baltimore City is technically separate, Baltimore County shares in its reputation and often finds itself in related trouble. Schools in the area have been criticized for underperformance, infrastructure failures, and safety concerns. A ransomware attack on the school district in 2020 exposed major cybersecurity weaknesses. The recovery cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
Public safety is another sore spot, with concerns about both violent crime and police accountability. The police department has faced multiple lawsuits and a federal review of its hiring and promotion practices. Meanwhile, political infighting has slowed efforts to address community needs. Baltimore County often feels like it’s caught in the same storm as its more famous neighbor—but with fewer resources to weather it.
10. East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana
East Baton Rouge Parish has long struggled with poverty, crime, and a lack of basic services. The 2016 killing of Alton Sterling by Baton Rouge police officers ignited national outrage and protests. Since then, the community has continued to face issues around police accountability and racial tensions. Violent crime remains a significant concern, especially among youth.
The education system is fractured, with widespread school segregation and disparities in resources. Flooding is also a recurring issue, worsened by poor drainage and climate change. Attempts to incorporate wealthier areas as separate cities have highlighted racial and economic divisions. The parish is a microcosm of broader Southern struggles—and the headlines reflect that.
11. Kenosha County, Wisconsin
Kenosha shot into the national spotlight in 2020 after the police shooting of Jacob Blake and the protests that followed. The situation escalated into unrest, culminating in the fatal shootings by Kyle Rittenhouse. His subsequent trial became a media circus and a political lightning rod. The city has struggled to shake the national image of chaos and polarization.
Even after the cameras left, the divisions in Kenosha have remained raw. Residents are still grappling with trust in law enforcement and how to rebuild community cohesion. Economic recovery has been slow, especially for minority neighborhoods impacted by the unrest. Kenosha County keeps getting pulled back into the national conversation, often unwillingly.
12. Broward County, Florida
Broward County has had more than its fair share of tragic national attention. It was the site of the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, which reignited national debates over gun laws. The aftermath saw local officials, especially the sheriff’s department, heavily criticized for their response. Multiple school safety reforms were enacted, but questions still linger.
Elections in Broward have also been notoriously messy. In 2018, a tight Senate race led to accusations of mismanagement and delays in counting ballots. The elections supervisor was eventually removed. Between election drama and tragic events, Broward has become a recurring headline—usually under distressing circumstances.
13. Clark County, Nevada
Clark County includes Las Vegas, and it’s no stranger to national coverage—but not always the glitzy kind. The 2017 mass shooting at a music festival remains the deadliest in modern U.S. history. It shocked the nation and exposed gaps in gun regulations and security protocols. The scars from that tragedy still linger across the community.
In recent years, Las Vegas has also faced economic challenges linked to its reliance on tourism. COVID-19 hit the hospitality industry hard, and recovery has been uneven. Rising housing costs and homelessness are now major concerns. Clark County shows how quickly a tourist paradise can become a cautionary tale.
This post 13 American Counties That Keep Making National Headlines—and Not in a Good Way was first published on American Charm.
