How the Economy Is Doing in 30 Coronavirus Hot Spots

America is reeling from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with people everywhere facing difficult choices about how to balance their health with the economic needs of their families. However, the twin threats of the crisis — the virus itself and the financial catastrophe of being unable to work — have hit different places in different ways. Depending on where you live, a coronavirus outbreak can land with much greater force on the local economy.

To help illustrate this, GOBankingRates looked at the 30 counties with the most cases of coronavirus in the United States to measure how severe the accompanying economic decline really is. The study lays out where each county stands in terms of the unemployment rate and the percentage of families living there who are having trouble paying the rent or putting food on the table.

So which counties already struggling with an outbreak also are dealing with serious financial pain? Here's a look at the counties that are stuck between a rock and a hard place and looking for a way out.

New York County, New York

• Population: 1,632,480
• Number of COVID-19 cases (Oct. 17): 35,897
• Cases per 100,000 people: 2,199
• Unemployment rate: 10.9%
• Households experiencing housing insecurity: 8.3%
• Households experiencing food scarcity: 8.3%

Shelby County, Tennessee

• Population: 937,005
• Number of COVID-19 cases (Oct. 17): 36,855
• Cases per 100,000 people: 3,933
• Unemployment rate: 9.9%
• Households experiencing housing insecurity: 10.2%
• Households experiencing food scarcity: 8.6%

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania

• Population: 1,575,522
• Number of COVID-19 cases (Oct. 17): 38,334
• Cases per 100,000 people: 2,433
  
• Unemployment rate: 11.7%
• Households experiencing housing insecurity: 8.1%
• Households experiencing food scarcity: 9.4%

Westchester County, New York

• Population: 968,815
• Number of COVID-19 cases (Oct. 17): 40,322
• Cases per 100,000 people: 4,162
• Unemployment rate: 7.0%
• Households experiencing housing insecurity: 8.3%
• Households experiencing food scarcity: 8.3%

Wayne County, Michigan

• Population: 1,761,382
• Number of COVID-19 cases (Oct. 17): 40,396
• Cases per 100,000 people: 2,293
• Unemployment rate: 12.8%
• Households experiencing housing insecurity: 10.8%
• Households experiencing food scarcity: 13.7%