You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Michigan. Best sururbs in Michigan. Best counties in Michigan.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Wolverine State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Michigan based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Michigan ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Michigan For 2024
- Village of Grosse Pointe Shores
- Franklin
- Elk Rapids
- North Muskegon
- Caledonia
- Pleasant Ridge
- Sylvan Lake
- Wolverine Lake
- DeWitt
- Lake Orion
- Schoolcraft
- Bloomfield Hills
- Spring Lake
- Dimondale
- Armada
What’s the best small town in Michigan? Village of Grosse Pointe Shores is the best small town in Michigan based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Wolverine State check out:
- Best Places To Live In Michigan
- Cheapest Places To Live In Michigan
- Most Dangerous Places in Michigan
The 15 Best Small Towns In Michigan For 2024
1. Village Of Grosse Pointe Shores
/10
Population: 2,610
Median Income: $170,850 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $745,997 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.1%
2. Franklin
/10
Population: 2,653
Median Income: $178,167 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $760,958 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
3. Elk Rapids
/10
Population: 1,568
Median Income: $77,396 (38th Best)
Median Home Value: $479,732 (8th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.5%
4. North Muskegon
/10
Population: 4,076
Median Income: $99,924 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $277,225 (66th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.4%
5. Caledonia
/10
Population: 1,808
Median Income: $92,500 (18th Best)
Median Home Value: $399,697 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%
6. Pleasant Ridge
/10
Population: 2,609
Median Income: $164,861 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $432,482 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 6.7%
7. Sylvan Lake
/10
Population: 1,729
Median Income: $96,900 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $347,147 (24th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.6%
8. Wolverine Lake
/10
Population: 4,493
Median Income: $85,195 (23rd Best)
Median Home Value: $284,719 (61st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
9. Dewitt
/10
Population: 4,779
Median Income: $100,100 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $304,213 (42nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%
10. Lake Orion
/10
Population: 2,915
Median Income: $94,925 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $366,451 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%
11. Schoolcraft
/10
Population: 1,409
Median Income: $82,500 (24th Best)
Median Home Value: $310,866 (38th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
12. Bloomfield Hills
/10
Population: 4,402
Median Income: $200,054 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $569,983 (6th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
13. Spring Lake
/10
Population: 2,530
Median Income: $71,813 (52nd Best)
Median Home Value: $372,123 (16th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.4%
14. Dimondale
/10
Population: 1,619
Median Income: $112,500 (7th Best)
Median Home Value: $283,547 (62nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%
15. Armada
/10
Population: 2,039
Median Income: $105,774 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $324,606 (32nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Michigan
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Michigan possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 247 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 247, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Michigan. Top of that list — Village of Grosse Pointe Shores.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in Michigan.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Michigan are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in Michigan are Village of Grosse Pointe Shores, Franklin, Elk Rapids, North Muskegon, Caledonia, Pleasant Ridge, Sylvan Lake, Wolverine Lake, DeWitt, and Lake Orion.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Michigan:
- Skidway Lake
- St. Helen
- Lakeview
For more Michigan reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Michigan
- Safest Places In Michigan
- Worst Places To Live In Michigan
Best Small Towns In Michigan
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Village Of Grosse Pointe Shores, MI | 2,610 | $170,850 | 1.1% | |
| 2 | Franklin, MI | 2,653 | $178,167 | 2.0% | |
| 3 | Elk Rapids, MI | 1,568 | $77,396 | 0.5% | |
| 4 | North Muskegon, MI | 4,076 | $99,924 | 1.4% | |
| 5 | Caledonia, MI | 1,808 | $92,500 | 0.7% | |
| 6 | Pleasant Ridge, MI | 2,609 | $164,861 | 6.7% | |
| 7 | Sylvan Lake, MI | 1,729 | $96,900 | 4.6% | |
| 8 | Wolverine Lake, MI | 4,493 | $85,195 | 3.2% | |
| 9 | Dewitt, MI | 4,779 | $100,100 | 4.3% | |
| 10 | Lake Orion, MI | 2,915 | $94,925 | 2.6% | |
| 11 | Schoolcraft, MI | 1,409 | $82,500 | 1.9% | |
| 12 | Bloomfield Hills, MI | 4,402 | $200,054 | 4.4% | |
| 13 | Spring Lake, MI | 2,530 | $71,813 | 4.4% | |
| 14 | Dimondale, MI | 1,619 | $112,500 | 2.0% | |
| 15 | Armada, MI | 2,039 | $105,774 | 3.1% | |
| 16 | Spring Arbor, MI | 2,410 | $78,393 | 4.1% | |
| 17 | Orchard Lake Village, MI | 2,342 | $206,750 | 3.6% | |
| 18 | Lathrup Village, MI | 4,076 | $97,750 | 7.5% | |
| 19 | Ferrysburg, MI | 2,959 | $67,022 | 2.2% | |
| 20 | Douglas, MI | 1,136 | $75,341 | 1.6% | |
| 21 | Shepherd, MI | 1,415 | $75,000 | 1.3% | |
| 22 | Middleville, MI | 4,259 | $67,759 | 0.6% | |
| 23 | Manchester, MI | 2,261 | $77,895 | 1.5% | |
| 24 | Bingham Farms, MI | 1,623 | $197,273 | 3.2% | |
| 25 | Auburn, MI | 1,921 | $62,589 | 2.7% | |
| 26 | Grass Lake, MI | 1,222 | $75,921 | 2.4% | |
| 27 | Wacousta, MI | 1,788 | $96,343 | 3.7% | |
| 28 | Essexville, MI | 3,372 | $72,516 | 2.9% | |
| 29 | Montague, MI | 2,514 | $70,547 | 1.7% | |
| 30 | Harbor Springs, MI | 1,091 | $66,146 | 2.7% | |
| 31 | Pigeon, MI | 1,100 | $53,750 | 1.3% | |
| 32 | Fowler, MI | 1,303 | $69,506 | 0.0% | |
| 33 | Harvey, MI | 3,335 | $74,093 | 3.8% | |
| 34 | Romeo, MI | 3,727 | $59,693 | 2.4% | |
| 35 | Linden, MI | 4,125 | $85,917 | 9.7% | |
| 36 | Whitehall, MI | 2,935 | $62,750 | 2.1% | |
| 37 | Oxford, MI | 3,487 | $79,306 | 9.4% | |
| 38 | Trowbridge Park, MI | 2,153 | $63,138 | 5.1% | |
| 39 | Keego Harbor, MI | 2,771 | $67,841 | 3.8% | |
| 40 | Saranac, MI | 1,946 | $71,875 | 1.8% | |
| 41 | Williamston, MI | 3,810 | $76,086 | 4.3% | |
| 42 | Petersburg, MI | 1,148 | $67,778 | 3.8% | |
| 43 | Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert, MI | 1,501 | $77,674 | 1.5% | |
| 44 | Vicksburg, MI | 3,757 | $65,440 | 2.3% | |
| 45 | New Buffalo, MI | 1,362 | $61,875 | 1.3% | |
| 46 | Kingsley, MI | 1,792 | $65,060 | 2.6% | |
| 47 | Edgemont Park, MI | 2,444 | $61,042 | 6.9% | |
| 48 | Lowell, MI | 4,127 | $59,712 | 2.0% | |
| 49 | Buchanan, MI | 4,276 | $53,328 | 1.2% | |
| 50 | Gibraltar, MI | 4,950 | $80,392 | 5.1% | |
| 51 | Pinckney, MI | 1,950 | $88,894 | 5.6% | |
| 52 | Negaunee, MI | 4,650 | $61,077 | 2.7% | |
| 53 | Rockwood, MI | 3,232 | $93,036 | 3.3% | |
| 54 | Stevensville, MI | 1,126 | $71,823 | 3.8% | |
| 55 | Canadian Lakes, MI | 2,578 | $66,786 | 1.0% | |
| 56 | Reese, MI | 1,300 | $81,583 | 11.7% | |
| 57 | Argentine, MI | 2,451 | $93,571 | 6.2% | |
| 58 | Portland, MI | 3,816 | $61,902 | 2.2% | |
| 59 | Manitou Beach-Devils Lake, MI | 1,807 | $82,016 | 1.2% | |
| 60 | Bridgman, MI | 2,378 | $62,337 | 1.7% | |
| 61 | Fruitport, MI | 1,388 | $79,375 | 5.9% | |
| 62 | Coloma, MI | 1,171 | $60,481 | 4.2% | |
| 63 | Quinnesec, MI | 1,262 | $66,715 | 2.8% | |
| 64 | South Haven, MI | 3,999 | $63,202 | 3.8% | |
| 65 | Clinton, MI | 2,929 | $78,472 | 7.4% | |
| 66 | Boyne City, MI | 3,821 | $65,070 | 6.2% | |
| 67 | Ravenna, MI | 1,437 | $70,208 | 3.3% | |
| 68 | Greilickville, MI | 1,467 | $73,553 | 2.0% | |
| 69 | Wayland, MI | 4,411 | $63,500 | 3.0% | |
| 70 | Three Oaks, MI | 1,207 | $57,083 | 4.7% | |
| 71 | Plainwell, MI | 3,763 | $61,086 | 5.8% | |
| 72 | Kent City, MI | 1,379 | $68,542 | 2.5% | |
| 73 | Beechwood, MI | 2,803 | $63,750 | 17.9% | |
| 74 | Leslie, MI | 2,154 | $68,920 | 4.4% | |
| 75 | South Rockwood, MI | 2,032 | $82,500 | 3.6% | |
| 76 | Twin Lake, MI | 1,885 | $78,322 | 21.1% | |
| 77 | Ortonville, MI | 1,271 | $92,411 | 6.3% | |
| 78 | Bath, MI | 3,133 | $65,972 | 4.8% | |
| 79 | Hart, MI | 2,173 | $56,979 | 3.0% | |
| 80 | Goodrich, MI | 1,991 | $103,438 | 9.0% | |
| 81 | Roosevelt Park, MI | 4,139 | $62,407 | 7.0% | |
| 82 | Potterville, MI | 3,036 | $59,250 | 2.9% | |
| 83 | Belleville, MI | 3,979 | $55,979 | 8.5% | |
| 84 | Parchment, MI | 2,041 | $60,223 | 8.4% | |
| 85 | Otsego, MI | 4,083 | $68,490 | 7.8% | |
| 86 | Woodland Beach, MI | 2,598 | $67,797 | 5.1% | |
| 87 | Burt, MI | 1,271 | $82,313 | 2.0% | |
| 88 | Sparta, MI | 4,247 | $55,033 | 3.6% | |
| 89 | Laingsburg, MI | 1,584 | $74,135 | 3.3% | |
| 90 | Edwardsburg, MI | 1,265 | $53,021 | 5.4% | |
| 91 | Frankfort, MI | 1,104 | $49,219 | 8.6% | |
| 92 | Hancock, MI | 4,526 | $46,970 | 2.5% | |
| 93 | Onsted, MI | 1,147 | $63,846 | 8.7% | |
| 94 | Hemlock, MI | 1,226 | $58,787 | 0.0% | |
| 95 | Michigan Center, MI | 4,906 | $64,286 | 8.5% | |
| 96 | Laurium, MI | 1,669 | $42,292 | 2.6% | |
| 97 | Concord, MI | 1,177 | $59,188 | 4.2% | |
| 98 | West Ishpeming, MI | 2,713 | $78,750 | 5.3% | |
| 99 | Lexington, MI | 1,329 | $41,989 | 1.9% | |
| 100 | Coopersville, MI | 4,804 | $62,995 | 7.5% |
