Mapped: Michigan's population changes
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Michigan's population growth isn't clustered around Metro Detroit, per an Axios analysis of the latest U.S. Census Bureau data.
Why it matters: Overall lack of population growth has been a key focus for leaders like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Mayor Mike Duggan.
- Though Detroit recently saw its first estimated population increase in decades, the long-term problem lacks clear, effective solutions — and an April report projecting population through 2050 expects Michigan to grow slowly and then decline.
How it works: Axios' zoomed-in view offers a close look at population change within states and counties via the U.S. Census Bureau's 2019–2023 American Community Survey.
- Browse county-by-county changes in our interactive map here.
By the numbers: Michigan's population grew by around 1%, increasing from a five-year average of about 10 million in 2014–2018 to about 10.1 million in 2019–2023.
- For comparison, Colorado saw a 5.1% change during the same period, Texas saw 6.3% growth and Ohio recorded 1.2%.
- The Mitten State county with the biggest increase in that period was central Michigan's Montcalm County (6.3% growth), followed by Lake County (5.4%).
The intrigue: No Metro Detroit counties cracked the top 20 for population growth in Axios' analysis.
- Oakland County ranked 26th with a 1.7% increase and Wayne County's was 0.7%.
Zoom out: Texas, Florida and Iowa are home to some of the country's fastest-growing large counties.
- Some of the U.S.'s fastest-growing areas are also among the most vulnerable to climate change.
Between the lines: Although Americans often move states in search of things like better jobs and lower costs, international migration is still the main driver of population growth at the national level.
- Migration "accounted for 84% of the nation's 3.3 million increase in population between 2023 and 2024," the Census Bureau said in a recent write-up of separate data.
- "This reflects a continued trend of rising international migration, with a net increase of 1.7 million in 2022 and 2.3 million in 2023."


