Newark is worst for veterans, study says

From military skill-related jobs to the availability of Veterans Affairs health facilities, Newark ranks dead last when it comes to providing services for veterans, according to the 2014 Best and Worst Cities for Veterans by WalletHub.com.

WalletHub ranked 100 of the most populated cities across the country on 19 key metrics, including economic wellness, environment, education and services available.

"Newark came in last overall, 89th economically, but at the very bottom when it came to its environment, education and health rank," said Jill Gonzalez, spokesperson for WalletHub.com. "Newark has one of the lowest veteran populations per capita, and of that low number, 17 percent of those veterans are living below the poverty line -- which is the third-most in the country."

According to the study, veterans are able to find jobs in Newark, but they are usually very low-paying.

"Combine that with the fact that the city ranks 94th in terms of housing affordability," Gonzalez said, and "it makes it especially challenging, economically, for veterans to live there."

Among the key findings:

• The size of the veteran population is 15 times higher in Virginia Beach, Va. than in Hialeah, Fla.
• The number of veteran-owned businesses per veteran population is 11 times higher in Hialeah, Fla. than in North Las Vegas, Nev.
• The percentage of veterans living below the poverty line is 7 times higher in Detroit than in Anchorage, Alaska.
• The ratio of homeless veterans to the veteran population is 28 times higher in San Francisco than in Virginia Beach, Va.
• The veteran unemployment rate is 19 times higher in Virginia Beach, Va. than in Hialeah, Fla.

The best cities for veterans were Lincoln, Neb., Gilbert, Ariz., and Irvine, Calif.

For the full report, click here.