Long-known as the "City of Seven Hills," Lynchburg more recently has become a consistent Top 10 digital city, as named in yearly surveys by e.Republic. The region's industries, such as nuclear technology, pharmaceuticals, and materials handling, have helped keep the metro's unemployment rate at a low 6.1 percent. But last year's foreclosure rate soared 141 percent, a sign that the housing crisis continues to expand in central Virginia.
Kim Raff/News & Daily Advance/AP