These Are the 11 Most Dangerous Small Cities in Michigan
Like every other state in the U.S., Michigan has a wide range of communities - large metros, smaller cities, tiny towns (or, in Michigan's case - townships). And like every other state, some areas are safer than others.
The personal finance website WalletHub recently revealed its "Best Small Cities in America", and one of the criteria it looked at was safety.
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The survey looked at data from more than 1,300 communities across the United States with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 residents. Rates of violent crime and property crime were considered; along with motor vehicle crash, pedestrian, alcohol-impaired driving and drug poisoning deaths.
These 11 cities turned out to be the most dangerous small cities in Michigan.
11. Port Huron, Michigan
Nestled along Michigan's border with Ontario, Port Huron has a population of almost 29,000 residents. It ranks as the 11th most dangerous small city in the state, and the 270th most dangerous one in America.
10. Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is located in southeast Michigan, slightly closer to Detroit than it is to Flint. It's the 10th most dangerous small city in the state, and 255th most dangerous in the United States. As of the 2020 census, Pontiac's population was 61,686.
9. Taylor, Michigan
Taylor's got a population of roughly 62,000 residents and is the 9th most dangerous small city in Michigan. Nationally, it ranks as 248th most dangerous.
8. Jackson, Michigan
Not all of Michigan's most dangerous small cities are suburbs of larger ones. Jackson, in southern Mid-Michigan, ranks as the 8th most dangerous small city in the state, and is the 233rd most dangerous in America. As of 2020, Jackson was home to about 31,000 residents.
7. Bay City, Michigan
Bay City ranks as the 7th most dangerous small city in Michigan. With a population of around 32,000 residents, it's also the 226th most dangerous small city in the United States.
6. Lincoln Park, Michigan
The Detroit suburb of Lincoln Park is the 6th most dangerous small city in Michigan. It ranks 214th nationally, and has a population of nearly 40,000. No other Detroit suburb ranks worse.
5. Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw's population has fallen significantly in recent decades, currently listed at just under 44,000 - after having peaked at nearly 70,000 in 1990. Today, it's the 5th most dangerous small city in Michigan, and 139th most dangerous in the nation.
4. Burton, Michigan
The Flint suburb of Burton is the 4th most dangerous small city in Michigan, and 130th most dangerous in America. 29,500 people call Burton home.
3. Battle Creek, Michigan
With a population of more than 52,000 residents, Battle Creek comes in as the 3rd most dangerous small city in Michigan. That's enough to place it among the 100 most dangerous small cities in America at #88.
2. Flint, Michigan
Once the 2nd-largest city in Michigan, Flint has fallen on hard times. Back in 1960, Flint was approaching 200,000 residents. Today, barely 80,000 call Flint home. It's the 2nd most dangerous small city in the state, and 71st worst in the US.
RELATED: Michigan's Top 10 Biggest Cities in 1960: Where Do They Rank Now?
1. Kalamazoo, Michigan
Not only is Kalamazoo the most dangerous small city in Michigan, it's the 32nd most dangerous in the entire country, according to WalletHub. Kalamazoo's population is a little more 73,000.
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