Let's start by saying, "This isn't my list." I'd also like to preface this article with the fact that I grew up in small-town Michigan, and though I wanted nothing more than to get out of there as a kid, I now appreciate everything that upbringing provided me. That said, I've also been to some of Michigan's less-than-desirable small towns as an adult and couldn't wait to leave. So, which towns made the list of Michigan's 100 Worst Small Towns? First, let's look at how RoadSnacks.net determined whether a small city was lousy.

Michigan's 100 Worst Small Towns: See Complete List
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Obviously, crime plays a factor in a town's desirability, and therefore, a location with more unlawfulness will be considered for the list. What makes crime in these locations worse is that there are fewer people in these towns, which increases the likelihood you may be involved in or a victim of a crime.

Related: Michigan City Named One of America's 'Ugliest'

Unemployment and the cost of housing were also calculated into RoadSnacks.net's formula. High joblessness and cheap housing (which means there's little demand for it) aren't good for a small area.

Michigan's 100 Worst Small Towns: See Complete List
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Throw in population density, average income, and the number of high school dropouts, and you've got a formula for finding the worst small towns in Michigan. RoadSnacks.net's rankings reveal that Skidway Lake, with a population of just 2,880, an unemployment rate of 15.1%, an average home value of just under $56K, and a median household income of just $33,503, is the state's worst small town.

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Here's a look at RoadSnacks.net's complete list, of the 100 Worst Small Towns in Michigan.

The 100 Worst Small Towns in Michigan

Discover Michigan's worst small towns through RoadSnacks.net's latest rankings, examining crime rates, education, employment, and more. RoadSnacks.net delved into factors like population density and unemployment using FBI data and the Census. With updated research for 2024, uncover the least desirable locales. Explore why low crime, education, and stable economies matter when choosing a hometown as we count down the 100 Worst Small Towns in Michigan.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Ranking America's Ugliest City in Each State

Travel.ALot.com recently combed through Reddit and Niche reviews to discover which town is considered the ugliest in each state by locals. Here's the countdown to the Ugliest City in America.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

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