This Michigan Town Is The #2 Worst In America To Raise Kids

Although I was born in the Chicagoland area, my home is Michigan. I grew up in southwest Michigan and moved to Lansing in '96. I was fortunate and am grateful for my scenario growing up, we had a great community and a safe learning environment at school.

Sadly, not all kids have the same experience growing up. We want to raise our kids in a clean, safe and healthy environment. Geographic locations matter when it comes to thinking about relocating you and the family.

According to USA Today, there were many factors considered when evaluating communities that are best to raise kids. Here's the criteria. They considered high crime rates, low graduation rates and low preschool enrollment. Also considered were physical activity and violent crime rates.

I was surprised to only see one city in Michigan listed. I thought cities like Detroit, Benton Harbor and Flint would be on the list, I am happy to say they are not. The number two spot surprised me and it's not too far from Lansing. Here's the list from USA Today.

Worst Cities In America To Raise Kids

25. Albany, Oregon

24. Sebring, Florida

23. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and North Carolina

22. Stockton-Lodi, California

21. Pine Bluff, Arkansas

20. Columbia, South Carolina

18. Albany, Georgia

17. Yuba City, California

15. Florence, South Carolina

14. Madera, California

13. Memphis, Tennessee

12. Alexandria, Louisiana

11. Odessa, Texas

10. Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, Alabama

9. Albuquerque, New Mexico

8. Monroe, Louisiana

7. Gadsden, Alabama

6. Anchorage, Alaska

5. Rocky Mount, North Carolina

4. Lawton, Oklahoma

3. Medford, Oregon

2. Battle Creek, Michigan - preschool enrollment is only 16.3 percent, high school graduation rate is 74.9% and violent crime rates are 746.7 per 100,000 residents.

1. Farmington, New Mexico

Dear Battle Creek, step it up. Parents, get your kids in preschool and see to it that your kids graduate high school. Desire more for your kids.

LOOK: Here is the richest town in each state

Just saying the names of these towns immediately conjures up images of grand mansions, luxury cars, and ritzy restaurants. Read on to see which town in your home state took the title of the richest location and which place had the highest median income in the country. Who knows—your hometown might even be on this list.

Source: This Michigan Town Is The #2 Worst In America To Raise Kids

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