Ann Arbor, Michigan

My Great Leveling algorithm for cities and nations typically focuses on larger cities -- those of at least 1 million people, typically more. However, I've decided to test it against a university city. In this case, Ann Arbor. I chose Ann Arbor because it is the home of one of the top universities on the planet and at the same time is located within a state that has financially fallen off a cliff (but as the state is still in the air, falling, some erroneously believe it can be prevented from hitting the ground).

I am not sure how a university town will fare in the Great Leveling, so let's put it to the test! For those of you unfamiliar with the city, I always suggest you start with Wikipedia for background:

As of the 2000 Census, the city had a population of 114,024, of which 36,892 (32%) are university or college students.^[2] Today, Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan, which is the dominant institution of higher learning in the city. The university shapes Ann Arbor's economy significantly as it employs about 30,000 workers, including about 12,000 in the medical center. The city's economy is also centered on high technology, with several companies drawn to the area by the university's research and development money, and by its graduates.^[4]

[BSH: Despite what alumni of the University of Michigan may say, the 4 star ranking for 'education' was based on the fact that, unlike say Boston or San Francisco, which score a 5 star in education, there isn't the varied number of options available for higher education. The city did score higher on 'Global Connectivity' than I originally supposed it would because the city is relatively close to a major metropolitan airport. Remember: The rules are in place.  I just run the numbers.]