′ This partial list of city nicknames in Michigan compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in Michigan are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. The unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency.
Alma - Scotland, USA
Ann Arbor
A2 or A-squared
Tree Town
Atlanta - Elk Capital of Michigan
Battle Creek
Breakfast Capital of the World
Cereal Bowl of the World
Cereal City
Beaver Island - America's Emerald Isle
Belding
Apple Capital
Silk City
Berrien Springs - Christmas Pickle Capital of the World
Champion - Horse Pulling Capital of the U.P.
Colon - Magic Capital of the World
Davison - City of Flags
Detroit
America's Comeback City
Arsenal of Democracy
City of Trees
City of the Straits
Hitsville, USA
Hockeytown
The Motor City
Motown
The D
The Paris of the Midwest
The Renaissance City
Drummond Island - Gem of the Huron
Eau Claire - Cherry Pit Spitting Capital of the World
Elsie - Michigan's Dairy Capital
Fairview - Wild Turkey Capital of Michigan
Flint
The Auto City
The Birthplace of General Motors
Buick City
The Vehicle City
Frankenmuth - Michigan's Little Bavaria
Fremont - Baby Food Capital of the World
Gaylord - Michigan's Alpine Village
Glenn - The Pancake Town
Grand Haven - Coast Guard City, USA
Grand Rapids
Furniture City
Beer City USA
Greenville - The Danish Festival City
Hamtramck
City Within the City
The World Within Two Square Miles
Holland - Tulip City
Huntington Woods - City of Homes
Jackson - Birthplace of the Republican Party
Kalamazoo
Bedding Plant Capital of the World
Celery City
Kazoo (or K'Zoo)
Mall City (first outdoor pedestrian mall in the US)
The Paper City
Linwood - Michigan's Walleye Capital
Mesick - Mushroom Capital of the World
Mount Clemens - Bath City
Mount Pleasant - The Oil Capital of Michigan
Muskegon
The Beer Tent Capital of the World
Port City
The Riviera of the Midwest
Lumber Queen of the World
Naubinway - Top of the Lake
Negaunee - Irontown, USA
Newberry - Moose Capital of Michigan
Niles
The City of Four Flags
Garden City
Northville - Switzerland of Wayne County
Omer - Michigan's Smallest City
Onaway - Sturgeon Capital of Michigan
Paradise - Wild Blueberry Capital of Michigan
Pellston - Icebox of the Nation
Pinconning - Cheese Capital of Michigan
Portland - City of Two Rivers
Romulus - Gateway to the World
Saint Johns - The Mint City
Saint Louis - Middle of the Mitten
Sault Ste. Marie
The Soo
Michigan's Oldest City (founded 1668)
South Haven - Blueberry Capital of the World
Traverse City - Cherry Capital of the World
Utica
Hothouse Rhubarb Capital of the World
Mushroom Capital of Michigan
Vassar - Cork Pine City
Vicksburg - The Village with a Vision
Whitefish Point - Cranberry Capital of Michigan
