Michigan’s 100 Worst Small Towns: See Complete List

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.

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.

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.