This is Considered The Worst Small Town in Michigan
There are some great places to live in the state of Michigan. However, this is not one of those places. It's actually the worst small town in the entire state. Well, according to "research" anyway.
SEE ALSO: Not Good - 10 of the Worst Small Towns In Michigan
I apologize if this is your hometown. I mean, no one wants to be number one on a list of the worst small towns in the state.
What is the Worst Small Town in Michigan?
Drumroll, please. The worst small town in Michigan is...Mio. Yes, the little town of Mio is considered to be the absolute worst.
Well, that sucks because I love Mio. I've been going there every year with a group of friends for the past 30 years on our annual tubing/canoeing trip. We love floating down the Ausable River, having cocktails at the Mio Saloon, and kicking back for seven days at Rainbow Resort.
What Makes it the Worst Small Town in the State?
According to Roadsnacks, the list of Michigan's worst small towns was put together using FBI crime data and Census data. In other words, science and data got them to this crazy conclusion.
This is what the study was based on:
- Population Density (The lower the worse)
- Highest Unemployment Rates
- Low housing costs (meaning there's no demand)
- Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
- Education (Number of high school dropouts)
- High Crime
Even though we love going to Mio, it's very obvious that the locals don't feel the same. We see their dirty looks and we hear their rude comments. Most of the locals absolutely hate all the people from downstate coming up in the summer. They should be a little more grateful as we and many others dump a ton of money into their economy. Just imagine what it would be like if we didn't.
At the end of the day, we don't care, we still love going to Mio, Michigan. Even if it is the "worst small town" in Michigan.
Mio, Michigan:
Population: 1,555
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 4)
Median Home Value: $67,300 (18th worst)
Unemployment Rate: 16.4% (4th worst)