These Are the 9 Safest Small Cities in Michigan

Big cities, little cities, tiny towns - Michigan has them all. But, as with most states, some are safer than others.

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The personal finance website WalletHub recently ranked the Best Small Cities in America for 2023, and part of the determining criteria was safety.

SEE ALSO: These Are the 7 Worst Small Cities to Live In in Michigan

For the purposes of this study, small cities were those with populations between 25,000 and 100,000 residents. Safety in more than 1,300 small cities across America was evaluated, to include each city's crime rates and accidental death statistics.

These nine small cities turned out to be the safest ones in Michigan.

9. Mt. Pleasant, Michigan

Back in 2010, the U.S. Census pegged the population of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, at just over 26,000 - hence its inclusion in this survey. However, the most recent population estimates for the city have it closer to 21,000 now. Mt. Pleasant ranks as the 9th-safest small city in the state, and #571 in the nation.

8. East Lansing

The population of East Lansing, Michigan, is officially listed at almost 47,000 residents, although that number swells when classes are is session at Michigan State University. East Lansing ranks as the 8th-safest small city in Michigan, and #480 nationwide.

7. Holland

Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, Holland is Michigan's 7th-safest small city (#423 in the nation). It's got a population of roughly 34,000.

6. Southfield

Southfield, Michigan is about 15 miles to the northwest of downtown Detroit. It has a population of almost 76,000 residents and ranks as the 6th-safest small city in the state (#403 nationally). Despite its relatively good safety rating as compared to the rest of Michigan's small cities, there are a handful of other Detroit suburbs with even better numbers.

5. Midland

With a population of roughly 42,000 people, Midland is Michigan's 5th-safest small city. It ranks as the 381st safest in the nation.

4. Madison Heights

Madison Heights, Michigan, is a suburb of Detroit - about 12 miles north of downtown. Its population is a little more than 28,000, and it ranks as the 4th-safest small city in the state (#243 in the nation).

3. Troy

Troy, Michigan, is a little more than 20 miles north of downtown Detroit. It's one of Michigan's bigger "small cities", with a population of nearly 87,000. Troy is the 3rd-safest small city in the state and ranks #92 in the nation.

2. Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills, Michigan, is one of Detroit's more affluent suburbs, located about 20 miles northwest of downtown. A little more than 83,000 people live in Farmington Hills. It's the 2nd-safest small city in all of Michigan, and ranks 77th in the country.

1. Royal Oak

Michigan's safest small city is Royal Oak, located just north of Detroit. Like Farmington Hills, Royal Oak has many very wealthy residents - though not all. It has a population of just over 58,000 residents and is ranked as the 60th safest small city in the nation.