Best-Run City in Michigan? It’s Grand Rapids

A list of the best and worst cities in America was released, and Grand Rapids is ranked as the best city in Michigan and one of the best in the country.

The City of Grand Rapids

Long before I began working in downtown Grand Rapids and living in the area, I was a traveling musician who performed around the country and in Michigan. Music allowed me to visit all of the major and many of the minor cities in America and Michigan.

When I toured, it was before GPS and cell phones were common; I navigated with a paper map of the U.S. When I played an area that I liked, I would make a note on my roadmap. I was young at the time and didn't know where I would finally settle down, but Grand Rapids was one of the cities I had marked down.

I didn't just play music in Grand Rapids, I would travel from the other side of the state or from Indiana when I lived there to see concerts.  The city became my favorite in Michigan to visit and one of my favorite cities in the country. I dated my son's mom, who grew up in Grand Rapids, and by default, I spent a lot of time in the city. So, it's no surprise that Grand Rapids has been ranked as the best city in Michigan.

Read More: Coolest Buildings in Grand Rapids, Picked by Locals

Grand Rapids has Been Ranked as the Best-Run City in Michigan

WalletHub recently ranked the best and worst cities in America based on the effectiveness of local leadership. The criteria used were based on how a city managed its economy, crime, the public's diverse interests, how officials spend public funds, education, health, transportation, and the quality of services residents receive.

According to the data compiled, Grand Rapids is the 22nd best-run city in America and number 1 in Michigan. Provo, Utah, came in at number 1 in the country.

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Other Michigan cities that were ranked were Warren at 26, Flint at 137, and Detroit at 147. This was out of 148 cities.

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