Unveiling Michigan’s Top City for Excessive Drinking—It’s Not What You Think

You might be surprised to learn that Flint, Big Rapids (home to the spirited Ferris State University), Saginaw, and even Detroit aren’t the cities leading the pack in heavy drinking in Michigan. So, which city holds the coveted title of Michigan’s drunkest? Spoiler alert: It’s not exactly a party hotspot along the I-75 corridor.

Drumroll, Please! Michigan’s Drunkest City Is...

Monroe, MI. Nestled along the western shore of Lake Erie, Monroe may not be on your radar as a drinking hub, but the numbers speak volumes. As of 2021, the US Census tells us Monroe has 20,336 residents in the city and 155,274 in the metro area. Despite its modest size, Monroe is making a big splash in the drinking department.

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What Makes Monroe Michigan’s Heavy Drinking Capital?

24/7 Tempo crunched the numbers to identify the drunkest city in each state. The criteria? Cities where over 22% of adults report heavy drinking within the past 30 days. For context, the US average is 19.79%. And guess what? Monroe’s stats are off the charts:

• Percentage of Adults Drinking Excessively: 23.51% (well above the US average of 19.79%)
• Alcohol-Related Fatal Accidents: A staggering 42.59% of accidents involve alcohol, placing Monroe seventh out of 386 cities nationwide (US average: 26.56%)
• Median Household Income: $65,512 (a bit shy of the US median of $69,717)

Did You Know? Monroe is also home to La-Z-Boy furniture, which has been lounging in this city since 1928.

Stay Safe, Monroe—And Don’t Drink and Drive!

While Monroe may have earned its title in a rather surprising fashion, it’s important to remember that these statistics aren’t just numbers—they reflect real lives. So, whether you’re celebrating or commiserating, always keep safety in mind. Make use of ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft or designate a sober driver. After all, the only thing that should be ‘drunk’ is the fun—not the driving!

In case you wondered, Michiganders drink about 23 gallons of alcohol per year according to MLive.