Ann Arbor, Michigan is consistently ranked as one of the best college towns in the United States. Located in southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor is home to the prestigious University of Michigan. With a population of around 120,000 people, Ann Arbor punches above its weight when it comes to culture, diversity, and livability. But what exactly makes this midwestern college town so popular and attractive to residents and visitors alike? Here are some of the top reasons why Ann Arbor has developed such a stellar reputation over the years.
The University of Michigan
The most obvious draw to Ann Arbor is the University of Michigan, one of the top public universities in the country. The U-M campus is spread throughout Ann Arbor and brings over 30,000 undergraduate students to the city every year. The university shapes many aspects of Ann Arbor, from the youthful, educated population to cultural institutions like the on-campus Museum of Art. Ann Arbor reaps the benefits of having a world-class educational institution in its backyard.
Top academics and research
The University of Michigan is renowned for its academics and research prowess. It’s ranked the #1 public research university in the United States, bringing in over $1.62 billion annually in research funding. From aerospace engineering to medicine, U-M researchers are pushing boundaries in countless fields. This stimulates innovation and brings talented faculty and students from across the globe to Ann Arbor. The research also spins off new technologies, companies, and jobs for the local community.
College sports
As a Big Ten school, the University of Michigan has major college athletics programs, especially football and basketball. Michigan Stadium, where the Wolverines play football, is the largest stadium in the western hemisphere, seating over 107,000 fans. The sports teams bring excitement to Ann Arbor and make it a destination for people across the Midwest on game days. Even those who didn’t attend U-M get into the college town atmosphere.
Cultural institutions
The University of Michigan’s performing arts programs, museums, lectures, and events are major cultural assets for Ann Arbor residents. Many events at Hill Auditorium, the Power Center, and the Michigan Theater are open to the public. Museums like the Museum of Art and Kelsey Museum of Archaeology draw visitors from across the state. The university helps make Ann Arbor a cultural hub, unusual for a city this size.
A vibrant downtown
Ann Arbor has an exceptionally lively and walkable downtown for a city of its size. The compact downtown area centered on Main Street contains restaurants, shops, nightlife and entertainment venues, all in close proximity. Street festivals like the Art Fair draw big crowds downtown in the summer. The downtown energy is aided by the large student population and young professionals. Outdoor seating, street performers, busy sidewalks, and lots of foot traffic make downtown Ann Arbor fun to explore.
Independent shops and restaurants
Chain establishments are relatively scarce in downtown Ann Arbor, which is dominated by unique local businesses. There’s a diverse array of independent bookstores, gift shops, clothing boutiques, record stores, and other retailers. The restaurant scene is just as varied, spanning casual pubs, hip cafes, Korean barbecue spots, and high-end dining. Trying new shops and eateries is an essential part of the Ann Arbor experience.
Farmers market
Ann Arbor Farmers Market is a beloved community institution. Taking place year-round on Saturday mornings just off Main Street, the farmers market features over 100 vendors selling locally grown produce, baked goods, meats, flowers, and more. Live music and food trucks enhance the festive, friendly vibe. The large crowds browsing stalls and relaxing on the lawn are a signature sight in Ann Arbor.
Performance venues
From street buskers to rock concerts, downtown Ann Arbor has a lively performing arts scene. The Michigan Theater and State Theater host concerts, comedy acts, and indie films. The historic Ark music club spotlights folk, jazz, and blues artists. Outdoor summer concerts and theater performances take place at Top of the Park. Smaller venues showcase student talent and local bands.
Nightlife
College students, young professionals, and visitors keep downtown Ann Arbor bustling after dark. There are plenty of bars, pubs, cocktail lounges, dance clubs, and late-night eateries to choose from. Main Street and South University Avenue are the central nightlife strips. With U-M right nearby, the nightlife energy never seems to let up in Ann Arbor.
Access to nature
Despite having a lively downtown and big university, Ann Arbor retains a connection to nature. Parks and greenbelts with landscaped trails thread through the city. The Huron River flows right through the center of town, lined by the B2B Trail. Within a short drive you can reach botanical gardens, nature areas, and dozens of lakes and parks. Tree-filled neighborhoods like Burns Park enhance the outdoorsy feel. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to love about Ann Arbor’s blend of city and nature.
City parks
Ann Arbor has over 150 municipal parks, many centered downtown. The jewel is the Leslie Science & Nature Center, featuring woodlands, ponds, and educational exhibits. Other notable parks include Liberty Plaza, West Park, Frog Island Park, and Gallup. Outdoor concerts, movies, and summer camps take place in the parks.
B2B Trail
This trail along the Huron River connects two areas just “beyond the border” of Ann Arbor. Locals and students take full advantage of it for walking, running, biking, and rollerblading right through the center of downtown and campus. The river views make it one of the most scenic city trails anywhere.
Botanical gardens
Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum showcase impressive gardens and natural areas open to the public. Both are affiliated with U-M and offer classes plus miles of trails. Matthaei spans nearly 400 acres along the Huron River, while “the Arb” is right on central campus.
Nearby parks and lakes
Just outside Ann Arbor city limits are even more parks and lakes. Gallup Park on the Huron River has canoeing and kayaking. Parker Mill County Park contains wooded hills, fields, and ponds. And the chain of lakes including Barton Pond and Argo Pond offer recreation close to town.
Diverse, educated population
Ann Arbor stands out among Midwest cities for its diverse, educated, and progressive populace. As a university town and tech hub, it attracts people nationally and globally. About 35% of residents have a graduate or professional degree. The downtown and U-M campus areas are ethnically diverse and politically liberal. Ann Arbor’s open-minded demographics and “college town” vibe give the city an invigorating energy and culture.
Young population
The large U-M student population, which exceeds 50,000 when counting grad students, makes Ann Arbor exceptionally youthful. About 80% of Ann Arbor residents are under age 60. Recent grads starting their careers and empty nesters downsizing both flock downtown. This keeps the energy lively day and night.
International community
With thousands of international students and researchers at U-M and area tech firms, Ann Arbor has a thriving international community. The Ann Arbor Chinese School and Hindu Temple are examples of local ethnic institutions. Festivals like the Ann Arbor Street Art Fairs have a global food court. This international presence brings diversity and vitality to everyday life.
LGBTQ-friendly
Known for progressive values, Ann Arbor has a flourishing LGBTQ community centered downtown. Ann Arbor Pride and the Jim Toy Community Center promote inclusion. There’s a vibrant gay bar scene around Main and Liberty streets. Ann Arbor consistently scores 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.
High education levels
| Education Level | Percentage of Ann Arbor Residents |
|---|---|
| High school graduate or less | 11.2% |
| Some college or Associate degree | 22.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.7% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 34.7% |
As this table shows, over two-thirds of Ann Arbor residents above age 25 possess at least a Bachelor’s degree. The high education levels stem from the university’s presence and the influx of engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
Thriving local businesses and startups
A vibrant entrepreneurial climate in Ann Arbor creates a dynamic local economy led by innovative startups. While U-M and tech giants like Google and Microsoft have satellite offices here, smaller local firms also flourish. Events like Demo Days showcase new Ann Arbor startups and their leading-edge products. The startup activity creates quality jobs and keeps talented graduates in town.
Tech and biotech startups
Ann Arbor startups excel in fields where U-M academically shines, like engineering, computer science, and life sciences. Fledgling tech and biotech firms sprout up constantly, tapping the student talent pool. Some like Duo Security and Epicenter have grown to national prominence before acquisition. Ann Arbor SPARK and other groups actively nurture startups.
Supporting organizations
Groups like SPARK provide workspaces, funding, mentoring, and connections for Ann Arbor startups. Events like Entrepalooza offer startup resources while promoting community. U-M’s Desai Accelerator assists university-affiliated startups. Local investors actively fund startups as well. This robust support ecosystem boosts new ventures.
Culture of innovation
Ann Arbor’s creative, free-thinking culture lends itself to innovation. Longstanding companies like Domino’s Pizza constantly release new tech-driven products. The culture of innovation permeates U-M campus and the business community. It’s easy to find collaborators and mentors when starting something new in Ann Arbor.
Leading companies headquartered locally
| Company | Industry |
|---|---|
| Domino’s Pizza | Food |
| Duolingo | Education technology |
| Zingerman’s | Food |
| Menlo Innovations | Software |
| Atomic Object | Software |
This table shows some of the top companies founded and still headquartered in Ann Arbor today. Domino’s, Menlo, and Atomic Object are all known for their innovative approaches.
Attractive quality of life
Ann Arbor consistently ranks highly on quality of life indexes, making it attractive for long-term residents. Factors like low crime rates, good schools, outdoor recreation, and plentiful arts and culture all enhance day-to-day life here. While winters can be cold, the high livability keeps people in Ann Arbor for the long run.
Low crime
Despite its size, Ann Arbor maintains low crime rates that rank among the lowest for U.S. cities its size. Violent crime is especially rare; most incidents are non-violent property crime related to the student population. This high safety level reduces stress and makes going out at night worry-free.
Top-ranked schools
The Ann Arbor Public School district is highly regarded, with Skyline High School routinely ranked the top high school in Michigan. Test scores and graduation rates are well above state and national averages. There are also many quality private school options. Excellent schools add to Ann Arbor’s appeal for families.
Arts and culture
From indie cinema at the Michigan Theater to concerts at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor’s vibrant arts and culture punch far above the city’s weight. The University Symphony Orchestra, theater productions, literary events, comedy nights, and busy concert calendars give residents abundant cultural enrichment.
Outdoor recreation
Ann Arbor city parks and the nearby Huron-Clinton Metroparks offer ample opportunities to enjoy nature. Jogging/bike trails, community pools, kayaking, disc golf, and pickup sports games are very popular here. Winter sports like ice-skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are also easily accessible.
Central location
Situated in southeast Michigan, Ann Arbor enjoys a convenient location that’s within easy driving distance of major Midwest cities and destinations. It’s only 45 minutes from Detroit Metropolitan Airport and 30 minutes from Detroit. Other nearby cities include Lansing, Flint, Toledo, and Windsor, Ontario across the Canadian border. Ann Arbor’s location gives it an ideal blend of accessibility and small-town feel.
Short driving distances to major cities
| City | Distance from Ann Arbor |
|---|---|
| Detroit | 30 miles |
| Lansing | 65 miles |
| Grand Rapids | 150 miles |
| Flint | 55 miles |
| Toledo | 55 miles |
As seen in this table, Ann Arbor sits within just 1-2 hour drives of Michigan’s largest cities, as well as Toledo, Ohio. Weekend road trips are convenient from Ann Arbor.
Access to airports
Detroit Metro Airport, a major international hub, is under an hour’s drive from Ann Arbor via direct highways. For lower cost flights, Bishop International Airport in Flint is even closer. The convenient airport access lets residents and visitors easily travel to/from Ann Arbor.
Pro sports nearby
Ann Arborites can easily access 4 major pro sports teams in nearby Detroit: the Lions (NFL), Tigers (MLB), Red Wings (NHL) and Pistons (NBA). College teams at U-M provide even more sports excitement. Ann Arbor’s location gives it a perfect blend of small college town and big city access.
Conclusion
Ann Arbor offers an idyllic blend of small-town Midwestern charm, college town liveliness, intellectual vitality, diversity, and urban amenities. The presence of the prestigious University of Michigan enhances many aspects of Ann Arbor. But the community extends far beyond just the college, with thriving local businesses, families, tourism, arts, and downtown energy. While its winters can challenge outsiders, Ann Arbor residents find the high quality of life well worth the tradeoff. The reasons highlighted here show why Ann Arbor continues to top “best city” rankings and attract so many new residents each year.