What is Michigan's Worst City to Raise a Family?

Instantly, most people would think Flint, Jackson, Saginaw or Monroe would be the worst to raise a family.

The unfortunate "winner" of this title is another city on the tip of most tongues...

The "Worst Michigan City to Raise a Family"

Out of 182 of America's largest cities, Detroit ranks 180th. Only Memphis, TN and Cleveland, OH are worse. Now, if every city in the United States was ranked -- I'm sure the others mentioned above would make this list in some way, too.

Overall, Michigan only has two cities large enough to make the WalletHub's annual ranking. More on that below.

Do Other States Have the Michigan Left?

How is the worst city to raise a family determined?

Their methodology includes rankings from 45 different metrics like cost of housing, quality of schools, health care, real estate, recreation, jobs, etc. Those categories are condensed into the following categories for ranking:

Family Fun
Health & Safety
Education & Child Care
Affordability
Socioeconomics

The irony is Detroit has more Playgrounds per capita than almost all ranked in this year's list. Only New York, NY, Chicago, Charlotte, NC and Houston outrank us.

Source: WalletHub

Considering we know the other cities that could fit "the worst" to raise a family description, you have to give Detroit credit for so much improvement over the last 10+ years. The city is making significant progress around the arenas/stadiums but lagging in some of the hardest hit neighborhoods since the mass exodus from the city intensified after the Great Recession in 2008/2009.

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Metro Detroit, and pockets of great Neighborhoods around the city are still great areas to live. Although, it's going to take some time to catch up to Michigan's "Best" city to raise a family, Grand Rapids, which landed at number 79 of 182.

Abandoned Detroit Zoo

Remember the Belle Isle Zoo? Sadly the property has been neglected - and all but forgotten - since its closing in 2002.

WARNING: Under no circumstances should you enter this property. By doing so you risk bodily harm and/or prosecution for trespassing on private property.

Abandoned Detroit Pharmacy Transformed Into Gorgeous 4,500 Sq. Ft. Home

On the outside, this brick building looks like any other business you might find in the Motor City.

But on the inside, this commercial building that was once home to a pharmacy and then a gym has been transformed into a spacious single-family home that's overflowing with character.