Why Do People Say Highland Park, MI is One of the Worst Cities in America?

It's really hard for anyone to pinpoint what city in America is the absolute worst. There are so many different factors that can play into that. However, there are some that believe Highland Park, Michigan is the worst city in America, or at least, one of the worst.

Highland Park is a city in Wayne County that has a population of roughly 9,000 residents. The median household income is the lowest in the country for cities with a population of 5,000 or more. You'll find that The majority of its residents live in poverty.

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Is It Safe to Live in Highland Park?

According to Neighborhood Scout,  with a crime rate of 54 per thousand residents, Highland Park has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Highland Park is one in 18.

The photo below looks like something out of a warzone as do many of the buildings in Highland park.

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Movies Filmed in Highland Park

Highland Park isn't all bad as the city's been the site location for a handful of really popular movies over the years including 8 Mile, Real Steel, Four Brothers, Gran Torino, and more. Of course, all of those movies feature lots of crime and really bad neighborhoods.

YouTuber, Chris Harden took a drive through the city in 2022, filmed his experience, and shared the video on his channel. After sharing the video he said, "It's hard to argue that Highland Park isn't the worst city in America."