I live about 150 miles away.
I could never understand why the huge population was there.
Lousy weather (nasty winter, hot in summer)
High cost of living (expensive housing)
High taxes
Because some of the first railroads went through there and the Great Lakes made it a hub of transportation and a lot of cattle went through there too before being sent to the east.
At least until the railroads hit Kansas City or something.
You left out high crime.