Although Michigan is well-known for its bustling cities, Great Lakes, and automotive heritage, there are a few communities in the state that are seeing substantial population declines. Some of the reasons people are fleeing these locations are economic difficulties, high crime rates, and a lack of opportunity. Identifying the causes of the mass migration, this article explores five Michigan villages from which residents are rushing to escape.
Detroit
Over the last several decades, the population of Detroit—once the beating center of the American automobile industry—has dropped dramatically. The population has decreased significantly from its 1950 high of 1.8 million to its projected 2023 low of around 670,000.
Many people lost their jobs when the car business crashed. In 2013, the largest U.S. municipal bankruptcy ever was declared by Detroit.
The city is still struggling with high unemployment rates and unstable economic conditions. The crime rate, especially the violent crime rate, is constantly high in Detroit.
The city has a violent crime rate among the nation’s highest in 2022, with 2,057 crimes per 100,000 people. Neighborhood revitalization efforts are persistent yet sluggish.
Flint
A large portion of the population in Flint has also left the city due to the water problem. In the 1960s, the population was close to 200,000; by 2023, it had dropped to about 95,000.
Both the city’s image and its capacity to support life have taken a major hit since the lead water crisis began in 2014. People keep fleeing because of persistent health problems and distrust in government services. High unemployment was a direct result of the car industry’s downfall in Flint.
The population loss is exacerbated by the lack of work possibilities and the bad economic prospects. The violent crime rate in Flint was 1,984 per 100,000 people, indicating a high crime rate overall. There have been continuous, but inadequate, attempts to demolish or convert abandoned buildings.
Saginaw
Roughly 98,000 people were living in Saginaw in the 1960s, but by 2023, that number had dropped to about 48,000.
Many locals are either unemployed or have low-paying occupations due to the loss of industry. Extremely high rates of poverty; 36 percent of the population lives in poverty. A large number of crimes, especially violent ones, have plagued Saginaw.
There were 1,931 reported violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2022. Low graduation rates and little financing are causing public schools to struggle. Families relocating to places that offer more favorable educational experiences. There are several rundown houses and empty land.
Pontiac
As of 2023, the population of Pontiac is projected to be under 60,000, down from a peak of about 85,000 in the 1970s.
The closing of genetically modified plants has a profound effect on the local economy. There is still a serious problem with high unemployment and few job opportunities. While Pontiac has made strides in reducing crime, there is still a long way to go.
There were 1,724 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2022. There is a lot of crumbling infrastructure and abandoned structures.
The city is making persistent, if sluggish, attempts to entice new companies and inhabitants. In search of better educational possibilities, many families relocate to nearby areas.
Testimonies from people who had lived there but fled because of things like unsafe conditions and economic collapse.
Muskegon Heights
From a high of about 20,000 in the 1960s to a low of about 10,000 in 2023, the population of Muskegon Heights has been steadily declining. High unemployment rates are a direct result of the downfall of manufacturing and industry.
Persistent population reduction is caused by a lack of economic possibilities. This region has a very high crime rate, especially when it comes to violent crimes. There were 1,654 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2022.
Low graduation rates and underfunding are two of the major problems that public schools encounter. There are a lot of obstacles in the way of neighborhood revitalization efforts