One of the Nation’s 5 Most Dangerous Small Towns Is in Michigan

A new survey names the ten most dangerous small towns in America, and wouldn't you know it - there's a Michigan city in the Top 5.

This particular study took a hard look at violent crime rates among U.S. cities with populations of 15,000 people or less.

Think Michigan's most dangerous small town is probably somewhere around Detroit? Maybe close to Flint or maybe even Benton Harbor? Think again.

The Most Dangerous Small Town in Michigan

The most dangerous small town in Michigan - and 4th-most dangerous small town in the entire United States - is actually Muskegon Heights.

SEE ALSO: Michigan Has 2 of the Nation's 10 Most Dangerous Lakes

Crimegrade.org gives Muskegon Heights an overall crime grade of "D-". The website says "your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Muskegon Heights may be as high as 1 in 90 in the northeast neighborhoods, or as low as 1 in 192 in the southeast part of the city."

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World According to Briggs says residents of Muskegon Heights have nearly a 1 in 40 chance of being violently assaulted during any given year.

Economic distress is blamed as a chief cause of crime in Muskegon Heights.

The city's been hit hard by poverty, unemployment and a general lack of opportunity, making it feel like everyone's competing for the last slice of pizza at a party where there was never enough to begin with. - World According to Briggs

According to crimegrade.org, assaults account for the lion's share of violent crime in Muskegon Heights, with robbery, rape and murder also listed as contributing factors to the city's poor score.