Ludington, MI

Census place 2649640 · pop 7,676

D−44/ 100
🫤 Rough
D
in MI
📍 Michigan ranks #42 of 50 states →
🏆 Disaster9/100 · top 1%
🚽 Jobs6.7% · bottom 2%
Taxes
1.28% property · US 0.99%6.00% sales · US 7.00%4.25% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Unemployment rateCounty-level6.7%2

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

6.7% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Median household income$46,4118

U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities

$46,411 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Population growth (5yr)-4.9%8

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-4.9% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Broadband access84.3%10

U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities

84.3% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Adult obesity41.9%11

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

41.9% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Poverty rate22.5%12

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

22.5% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Adult smoking17.3%17

U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities

17.3% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Income inequality0.4820

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Physical inactivity28.4%32

U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities

28.4% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Property-tax burden1.28%36

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

1.28% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Homeownership59.6%37

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

59.6% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Violent crime rate277/100k38

U.S. median 152/100k · worse than most cities

277 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Poor mental health17.9%38

U.S. median 17.4% · worse than most cities

17.9% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Bachelor's degree or higher28.9%47

U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities

28.9% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Property crime rate963/100k64

U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities

963 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Uninsured adults7.7%69

U.S. median 9.3% · better than most cities

7.7% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Housing cost$201,10071

U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities

$201,100 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Air quality (AQI)County-level37 AQI81

U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities

37 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level0 days85

U.S. median 1 days · better than most cities

0 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Commute time14 min97

U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities

14 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level9/10099

U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities

9/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Not measured for Ludington: Rent. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.

Frequently asked

Is Ludington, MI a good place to live?
By the numbers, Ludington scores 44/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 21 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is natural disaster risk and its weakest is unemployment rate. Michigan overall ranks #42 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Ludington, MI?
Ludington reports 277 violent crimes per 100k and 963 property crimes per 100k — worse than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Ludington, MI expensive to live in?
Ludington has a median home value of $201,100 — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Ludington, MI?
Its weakest measured area is unemployment rate (6.7%) — 2/100, worse than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.)
What is Ludington, MI best at?
Its strongest measured area is natural disaster risk (9/100) — 99/100, better than most U.S. cities. (A county-level figure.)

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.