Top 10 poorest cities in Michigan in 2025

Officially, Michigan’s poverty rate remains around 13.5% (as per 2023 figures). But many cities and neighbourhoods see rates far beyond this number. This article lists the top 10 poorest cities in Michigan in 2025. Take a look.

In order to broaden your search, don’t forget to check out our other releases on similar topics, Looking beyond, don’t miss our detailed report on the Poorest cities in the US, and also For a state-level view, explore our update on the Poorest Cities in Texas and Dive deeper into regional inequality with our list of the Poorest Cities in California Understanding the economic situation of each US state is the need of the hour, for sure.

10 poorest cities in Michigan in 2025

City in Michigan	Poverty Rate (%)
Benton Harbour	42
Flint	40-41
Muskegon Heights	37
Highland Park	41
Detroit	31-32
Pontiac	25-26
Ecorse	24
Big Rapids	35
Hamtramck	28-30
Inkster	25-27

1. Benton Harbour

Located in Berrien County, Benton Harbour is one of the poorest cities in Michigan in 2025. It is a small city, facing deep, long-running economic distress tied to empty houses, deindustrialisation and public health challenges.

2. Flint

Flint is located in Genesee County. This city has been facing a number of issues, including job losses in manufacturing. You can find high rates of deep economic challenges in parts of Flint. The authorities need to put in greater effort to manage the situation.

3. Muskegon Heights

Let’s explore the condition of Muskegon Heights, located in Muskegon County. This is one of the poorest cities in Michigan. Long declines in manufacturing jobs are being held responsible for the situation. But the reasons are certainly more.

4. Highland Park

Michigan’s Highland Park is a small city surrounded by Detroit. This place has long been struggling to address multiple financial crises. Highland Park is often cited alongside other Detroit neighbourhoods facing serious economic hardships.

5. Detroit

Located in Michigan, Detroit remains of the largest cities in the US featuring intensely high official poverty rates in comparison to the national statistics. Many communities in Detroit are still struggling on a daily basis.

6. Pontiac

Located in Oakland County, Pontiac is one of the poorest cities in Michigan in 2025. The poverty rate has been estimated at 25-26%. This is concerning. The situation in Pontiac is possibly more serious than many surrounding suburbs.

7. Ecorse

Let’s explore the current economic situation in Ecorse, Michigan. The poverty rate in Ecorse is quite more than the state and national numbers. Economic stagnation and ageing housing stock factor into the high rates.

8. Big Rapids

Home to Ferris State Uni, Big Rapids has pockets of high poverty in the small city limits. The broader metropolitan area usually represents less serious situations. This place is located in Mecosta County of Michigan.

9. Hamtramck

Surrounded by Detroit, Hamtramck has a diverse immigrant population and consistently ranks high on the list of poorest cities in Michigan. Hamtramck gets a lot of benefits from cultural diversity and proximity to Detroit. But the housing market needs significant attention.

10. Inkster

Inkster is also one of the poorest cities in Michigan in 2025. Located near Detroit, Inkster has been facing a number of economic challenges for a long time, including economic shifts after the decline of nearby auto manufacturing, besides ageing housing stock and unemployment.

In a nutshell

For many of the poorest cities in Michigan listed in this article, some causes remain quite common. It could be de industrialisation and job loss. Many of these place used to depend on factors and auto-sector jobs until they shrank and disappeared. “Just as deindustrialization hit Michigan’s poorest cities, See how AI and automation are now reshaping job security nationwide”

Schools in some of these cities face resource gaps. There is mortgage distress in some blocks. The long-term impacts could be related to higher food insecurity rates and short life expectancy in the affected neighborhoods. To Stay informed — visit our Human Rights page for the latest updates.