Defining Michigan's Average County: Explore Now

It's an interesting question, what is the most average country in Michigan? It begins with how to define average. It is to say, plain and boring? Perhaps. Or it could be average in that it's in the middle - not too far to one side or another. A microcosm, perhaps.

The topic was raised on the Geography subreddit of Reddit asking more broadly about the most average county in the United States.

The commenters there pointed to counties in the heart of the Midwest like Johnson in suburban Kansas City, Kanas or Polk County in Iowa, the home to Des Moines.

Defining "Average" in Michigan

Michigan doesn't merit a mention on the Reddit thread, but there are plenty of counties that could contend for Most Average in America, particularly if we use the definition of a Microcosm, meaning a county has many of the same featured as the greater whole.

So what components would add up to a microcosm county? Some urban areas, some suburban and some rural. Both manufacturing and agriculture. An interstate highway?

So what would make a most average Michigan county?

Macomb County: A Bellwether Example

Consider Macomb County. The suburban Detroit county touches Detroit's industrial core with heavy manufacturing along Mound Road in Warren. Northern areas of the county are very rural. The county also is home to a military presence at Selfridge.

Macomb is known as a "bellwether" county politically often swinging the same way the nation as a whole does in presidential elections.

Would there be any other counties that fit the bill? Perhaps.

⬇️BELOW: The Largest Cities in Michigan Without a Nickname + These are all of Michigan's Saint Cities⬇️

Consider Berrien County in the state's southwest corner. The county could be considered the furthest east suburb of Chicago in areas around New Buffalo. The county is home to both a rust belt city in Benton Harbor and lakefront resort of St Joseph. There's plenty of agriculture. There's manufacturing and white collar executives with the world headquarters of appliance maker Whirlpool.

These are all of Michigan's Saint Cities

From being largely explored by French missionaries and traders, it's not surprising that many locations across Michigan bear the names of saints. Perhaps, it's more surprising there are not more. Here are Michigan's 'Saint Cities.'

Gallery Credit: Google Maps Street View

These Are the Largest Michigan Cities Without a Nickname

Many Michigan cities carry well known nicknames like Motown for Detroit. But many of the state's largest cities have no nicknames at all. Here are the largest cities in the state without a nickname.

Gallery Credit: Eric Meier