Zombie apocalypse? Michigan would struggle to survive

If a zombie apocalypse were to unfold, it turns out Michiganders probably don't have a great shot at survival.

The folks at Careerbuilder — yes, the job search website — have compiled an utterly necessary list of cities with the greatest chance of survival against the walking dead.

We're sorry to report, Michigan doesn't rank anywhere in the top 10 ... but don't consider yourself zombie food just yet.

When If you walk outside and see this:

... pack a bag and start heading toward Battle Creek. Or, if you'll swallow your Michigan pride for the sake of survival, head down to Columbus, Ohio (ranked 3rd best in the country).

The index ranked the 53 largest U.S. metropolitan areas (with a pre-apocalypse population of 1 million or more)  and scored them based on eight different factors in four categories:

1. Ability to defend against the virus

2. Ability to contain the virus

3. Ability to find a cure

4. Ability to outlast the epidemic with an ample food supply

Battle Creek ranked 12th overall but No. 1 for ample food supply. All that cereal at the Kellogg plant could probably feed us for awhile, right?

But while our bellies may be full, Battle Creek is ranked last for residents' ability to defend themselves.

And are you really prepared to take this on without the right defense?

Detroit was much further down the list, ranked 41st overall. But we've got one good thing going for us. The Motor City ranked 5th for our ability to contain the virus and fend off a zombie purge.

To calculate which areas are best equipped to keep zombies out, the study considered engineering prowess (percentage of each city's population in the civil, electrical, materials, mechanical, nuclear and engineering technician occupations); construction skills and population density. Yes, Detroit's population would help because the higher an area's population, the faster the virus would spread. That means less time to organize and find a cure.

Here's a complete look at the cities best equipped to survive when if zombies take over the world.

1. Boston
2. Salt Lake City
3. Columbus, Ohio
4. Baltimore
5. Virginia Beach, Va.
6. Seattle
7. San Diego
8. Kansas City, Mo.
9. Denver
10. Indianapolis

For an interactive map and look at the methodology behind the study, follow this link.

For now, you can rejoice in the fact that the undead are not among us. Yet.