7 Biggest Cities in Michigan: How Well Do You Know The Great Lakes State?

With the automobile industry going through tough changes earlier this century, the population of the Great Lakes State, according to the U.S. Census, has decreased – including all but one of the seven biggest cities in Michigan.

But that doesn’t mean the state is languishing. In fact, Gov. Rick Snyder still believes in a “river of opportunity” for his state. Here are seven of its biggest cities in Michigan: 

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1. Detroit 

While the city has been through its struggles and hard times this century – and despite the fact it lost 25 percent of its population from the 2000 census to the 2010 census – it’s still, by far, the largest of the cities in Michigan. And apparently on the comeback trail. Said Larry Alexander, president of Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, to FoxNews.com in December 2013, “Detroit is on the rebound.” 

2. Grand Rapids

Not even one-third the size of Detroit, Grand Rapids has been long known for its furniture manufacturing. But these days, the city is trying to diversify its industries. In fact, some believe Detroit could learn something from Grand Rapids.


3. Warren

It’s the biggest suburb of Detroit, but it has its own history. Though the rapper Eminem is most closely associated with Detroit, he actually went to high school in Warren.

4. Sterling Heights

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Yet another suburb of Detroit, if you happen to find yourself in Sterling Heights in the middle of July, consider participating in the Srodek’s Pierogi Eating Challenge at the city’s famed Polish-American Festival. In 2014, somebody won the event by eating 63 pierogis in 10 minutes.

5. Lansing

The state capital, Lansing interestingly is not the county seat of Ingham County. That honor goes to Mason, and it means that Lansing is the only state capital not to be designated the seat for the county in which it’s located.

6. Ann Arbor

This city, home to the University of Michigan, was reportedly named after the wives of the city’s two founders (both happened to be named Ann) and the shady area under a group of trees (called an arbor) that both women enjoyed sitting under.

7. Flint

Although much of Michigan is idyllic and/or making a nice comeback after a rough period following the demise of the auto industry, Business Insider points out that Flint – with high unemployment and high poverty – is still one of the most dangerous cities in the country.

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Related Stories:

• Once-Mighty Detroit Becomes Biggest US Municipal Bankruptcy
  
• Flint, Mich., Tops List of 10 Most Dangerous Cities in America