The state of Michigan has experienced several difficulties recently, including harsh weather, high taxation, urban deterioration, declining economic growth, and bad road conditions. Numerous towns and localities throughout the state have seen a decline in population as a result of these reasons. These are the seven that are being abandoned as quickly as feasible.
Detroit
The biggest and most well-known city in Michigan that has had a significant population flight is Detroit. Detroit, which was once the epicenter of the American automobile industry and a booming industrial city, is now beset by blight, unemployment, crime, poverty, and bankruptcy.
The population of the city peaked in 1950 at 1.8 million, but it has since fallen to roughly 670,000 in 2020. Empty lots and abandoned structures are the result of several people giving up on their residences and places of business. Detroit has been making an effort to resuscitate itself with new projects and endeavors, but there are still a lot of obstacles and unknowns.
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Flint
Another former industrial city with a sharp population fall is Flint. General Motors and other businesses were based in Flint, which was formerly a thriving manufacturing town. However, many locals lost their employment and income as a result of automation, outsourcing, and the downfall of the auto industry.
The Flint water crisis, which started in 2014 when the city moved to the lead- and other-tainted Flint River as its water source, also brought notoriety to Flint. A nationwide outcry was triggered by the water issue, which put the city’s citizens—children in particular—at grave risk of health problems. The population of Flint decreased from over 193,000 in 1990 to roughly 95,000 in 2020.
Highland Park
Deindustrialization and depopulation have also harmed Highland Park, a tiny city in Detroit. Henry Ford established his first auto plant at Highland Park, which was also the site of the invention of the assembly line. Highland Park was once an affluent and varied community. However, the city’s infrastructure and tax base were weakened by factory closures and the exodus of citizens to the suburbs. With a median household income of roughly $15,000 and a poverty rate of roughly 48%, Highland Park emerged as one of the state’s poorest and most dangerous cities. The population of the city decreased from over 38,000 in 1990 to roughly 10,000 in 2020.
Benton Harbor
The Lake Michigan shoreline city of Benton Harbor has likewise experienced social and economic issues. Benton Harbor used to be a bustling resort town that was also a hub for trade and industry. Nevertheless, the city lost a lot of its companies and industries, including Whirlpool, which relocated its corporate headquarters to St. Joseph, a nearby city. Benton Harbor also experienced poverty, crime, corruption, and racial conflicts. The population of the city fell from over 20,000 in 1990 to approximately 9,000 in 2020.
Hamtramck
Another minor Detroit city that has seen a decline in population is Hamtramck. Originally, Hamtramck was home to Polish immigrants who came to work in the auto industry. The city was well-known for its historical sites, ethnic festivals, and diversity of cultures. However the city’s vibrancy and appeal diminished as a result of the car industry’s collapse, job losses, and population aging. The population of Hamtramck decreased from over 23,000 in 1990 to roughly 21,000 in 2020.
Muskegon Heights
Another city that has experienced a population drop is Muskegon Heights, which is located close to Lake Michigan. In the past, Muskegon Heights was a thriving industrial community home to businesses like Continental Motors and Brunswick. However, the suburbs and other areas drew in a large number of employers and citizens from the metropolis. Muskegon Heights also had problems with poverty, education, and crime. The population of the city decreased from over 14,000 in 1990 to roughly 10,000 in 2020.
Madison Charter Township
Another rural municipality in Lenawee County experiencing a population decline is Madison Charter Municipality. A thriving agricultural town, farmers in Madison Charter Township once farmed crops and kept livestock. Unfortunately, the township’s lack of amenities and economic prospects caused a large number of its citizens to move to other states and cities. Between 2020 and 2022, Madison Charter Township’s population grew at a pace of -3.7%.
Conclusion
These are a few of the Michigan towns and cities that residents are attempting to evacuate as quickly as possible. These serve as illustrations of the ways that several elements, including the state’s changing demographics, social problems, environmental concerns, and industrial decline, have an impact on it. While some of these locations are making an effort to move past their past and start anew, others are still having difficulty surviving and drawing in newcomers. Michigan is a state full of beauty and possibility, but it’s also full of unknowns and difficulties.