Michigan’s 100 Most ‘Redneck’ Cities and Towns (And Why That’s a Compliment)

Let's be clear: calling someone a 'redneck' in Michigan isn't an insult — it's a badge of honor. Around here, being a redneck means you can fix a busted furnace with a coat hanger, patch a leaky roof before the rain hits, and deep-fry anything that sits still long enough — from walleye to Oreos. Rednecks are the people who make Michigan work when life goes sideways.

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Why ‘Redneck’ Means Something Different in Michigan

Sure, people love to joke about 'rednecks' —  until their car breaks down on I-75 in the middle of a snowstorm, or the power goes out and suddenly, that guy with a generator, two cords of firewood, and a freezer full of venison chili is looking like a genius.

When Hard Work Beats Fancy Degrees

You might turn your nose up at gas station biscuits and gravy (they're delicious, by the way). Still, when the apocalypse hits, the redneck eating Spam and drinking Faygo by candlelight will be surviving comfortably.

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Now we let AI take a crack at ranking Michigan’s 100 most ‘redneck’ towns — and, let’s just say, if this is the future of technology, we're not in any danger of robots replacing people who know how to smoke ribs, change a tire, and field dress a deer. When technology finally betrays us, every one of us will be begging a redneck for help — and maybe a plate of fried bologna sandwiches.

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Where Grit, Grease, and Vernors Define Greatness

So grab a cold Vernors, pull up a rickety camp chair, and dig in as we explore where hard work, loyalty, and a good tailgate meal never go out of style.