Least Dense in Michigan

Top 100 cities ranked by least dense

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All Countries · United States · Michigan

Least Dense — Michigan

1 Houghton Lake 536/mi²

2 Forest Hills 578/mi²

3 Romulus 701/mi²

4 Ishpeming 705/mi²

5 Ironwood 760/mi²

6 Bridgeport 814/mi²

7 Marshall 874/mi²

8 Sault Ste. Marie 906/mi²

9 Shields 923/mi²

10 Escanaba 971/mi²

11 Iron Mountain 996/mi²

12 Walker 1,025/mi²

13 Gladstone 1,034/mi²

14 Dundee 1,062/mi²

15 Norton Shores 1,076/mi²

16 Allendale 1,108/mi²

17 Lake Fenton 1,117/mi²

18 Petoskey 1,136/mi²

19 Freeland 1,148/mi²

20 Kingsford 1,189/mi²

21 Battle Creek 1,230/mi²

22 Midland 1,230/mi²

23 Lapeer 1,232/mi²

24 Haslett 1,236/mi²

25 Alpena 1,246/mi²

26 Cadillac 1,250/mi²

27 Belding 1,260/mi²

28 Burton 1,264/mi²

29 Dowagiac 1,276/mi²

30 Byron Center 1,342/mi²

31 Allegan 1,346/mi²

32 Marysville 1,356/mi²

33 Swartz Creek 1,398/mi²

34 Greenville 1,403/mi²

35 Hillsdale 1,408/mi²

36 Three Rivers 1,420/mi²

37 Eaton Rapids 1,432/mi²

38 Charlotte 1,437/mi²

39 Lambertville 1,440/mi²

40 Hastings 1,442/mi²

41 Beecher 1,447/mi²

42 Springfield 1,459/mi²

43 Coldwater 1,470/mi²

44 Buena Vista 1,476/mi²

45 Northview 1,478/mi²

46 Auburn Hills 1,497/mi²

47 Chelsea 1,497/mi²

48 Okemos 1,513/mi²

49 Portage 1,521/mi²

50 Tecumseh 1,532/mi²

51 Alma 1,575/mi²

52 Flat Rock 1,586/mi²

53 Sturgis 1,594/mi²

54 Comstock Northwest 1,607/mi²

55 Mason 1,612/mi²

56 Holt 1,615/mi²

57 Menominee 1,622/mi²

58 Fair Plain 1,626/mi²

59 Frankenmuth 1,637/mi²

60 Whitmore Lake 1,684/mi²

61 Albion 1,725/mi²

62 Milan 1,744/mi²

63 Big Rapids 1,763/mi²

64 Fenton 1,797/mi²

65 St. Johns 1,832/mi²

66 Marquette 1,839/mi²

67 Temperance 1,843/mi²

68 Traverse City 1,871/mi²

69 Hudsonville 1,872/mi²

70 Wixom 1,874/mi²

71 St. Clair 1,898/mi²

72 Zeeland 1,903/mi²

73 Houghton 1,904/mi²

74 Manistee 1,913/mi²

75 Rockford 1,914/mi²

76 Grand Haven 1,917/mi²

77 Woodhaven 1,997/mi²

78 Grand Ledge 2,015/mi²

79 Howell 2,019/mi²

80 Richmond 2,020/mi²

81 Holland 2,024/mi²

82 Niles 2,045/mi²

83 Benton Harbor 2,055/mi²

84 Saline 2,068/mi²

85 St. Louis 2,099/mi²

86 Holly 2,110/mi²

87 Brighton 2,158/mi²

88 Novi 2,190/mi²

89 Grand Blanc 2,215/mi²

90 Grandville 2,226/mi²

91 Monroe 2,246/mi²

92 Ludington 2,281/mi²

93 Flushing 2,306/mi²

94 Rochester Hills 2,320/mi²

95 Ionia 2,394/mi²

96 Flint 2,417/mi²

97 St. Joseph 2,439/mi²

98 Farmington Hills 2,504/mi²

99 New Haven 2,506/mi²

100 Trenton 2,520/mi²

The least densely populated cities in Michigan offer spacious living with more land per resident. Houghton Lake has just 536 people per square mile. These cities provide room to spread out with larger lot sizes and more open space.

Low-density cities typically feature more single-family homes with larger yards, easier parking, and less traffic congestion. They appeal to families seeking space, privacy, and access to nature without moving to a fully rural area.

While the spread-out nature of these cities means longer drives to amenities and greater reliance on personal vehicles, many residents value the trade-off for quieter neighborhoods and a more relaxed pace of life.

Did You Know?

1. In Houghton Lake, there are only 536 people per square mile — each resident has roughly 52,021 square feet of city space.
2. Low-density cities often have significantly lower housing costs due to more available land for development.
3. Many of the least dense cities are located in the western United States, where vast open spaces define the landscape.

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