I gather that such places do exist it would help if you gave an example. When I did travel
to middle america there seemed to be a general drug problem and associated thefts. Perhaps there could be a copper theft map which could be used as a proxy for crime.
Three Cs. Wisconsin. Minnesota. Pittsburg. Not gary IN.
The thing is with these sorts of midwestern cities. The nicest neighborhood in the area, you know the one with the 5 bed ornate 100 year old mansions with the nicest school district, you can get one of those for barely half mill maybe even less.