Why Are So Many People Moving to Michigan Right Now?
If you’ve been watching the headlines, you may have noticed something surprising: Michigan is growing again. After decades of slow or even negative growth, the Great Lakes State is back on people’s radar as a place to live, work, and raise a family. So what’s behind the shift? Here’s why so many people are moving to Michigan right now.
Michigan’s Population Is Rising Again
For the first time in years, Michigan’s population is trending upward. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state gained more than 57,000 new residents between 2023 and 2024, reaching just over 10.1 million people, a record high.
Detroit, once the poster child for population loss, is even making a comeback. In 2024, the city grew by more than 6,700 new residents, the largest gain of any city in the state.
Detroit’s population is on the rise. Photo: Alex Brisbey
Why People Are Choosing To Move To Michigan
1. Affordable Housing and Cost of Living
Compared to many other states, Michigan is still an affordable place to buy a home. The median home price here sits well below national averages and far below markets on the coasts. For families and first-time buyers priced out of big cities, Michigan offers more space and value for the money.
2. Jobs and Economic Opportunity
Michigan is still the automotive capital of the world, but today’s economy goes far beyond cars. The state is home to the two largest mortgage lenders in the nation, Rocket Mortgage and United Wholesale Mortgage (UWMC). Michigan also has growing industries in healthcare, advanced manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and tech. Companies are hiring, and immigrants and transplants alike are filling those roles.
3. Remote Work Freedom
Since the pandemic, remote work has changed how people think about where they live. Many workers no longer need to be tied to expensive hubs like New York or San Francisco. Michigan is becoming attractive to remote workers who want affordable housing, good schools, and access to nature without giving up career opportunities.
4. Outdoor Lifestyle & Natural Beauty
Michigan is home to more freshwater shoreline than any other state in the country. Add in national forests, trails, and four distinct seasons, and it’s no surprise people want to live where they can hike, ski, boat, or simply relax by a lake on the weekend.
5. Welcoming Newcomers
Immigration has been one of the biggest drivers of Michigan’s growth. From 2023 to 2024, more than 67,000 new residents moved to Michigan from outside the U.S. Immigrant communities bring new talent, culture, and energy to cities and towns across the state.
Organizations like Global Detroit have played a major role in helping immigrants integrate and thrive. Global Detroit works to attract, welcome, and retain immigrants as part of the region’s long-term economic development strategy, connecting newcomers with housing, small business programs, and community support networks. Their work has helped revitalize neighborhoods, fuel entrepreneurship, and strengthen the workforce across Metro Detroit and Southeast Michigan.
Immigrant communities bring new energy, innovation, and global connections—helping Michigan grow both economically and culturally.
Why this matters:
Economic Growth: Immigrants in Michigan contribute billions in spending power and taxes each year.
Neighborhood Revitalization: Immigrant entrepreneurs are reopening storefronts, renovating housing, and investing in local communities, especially in Detroit and nearby suburbs.
Cultural Vibrancy: From Hamtramck’s Polish and Yemeni communities to Detroit’s Mexican Village, Michigan’s diversity is part of what makes it such a dynamic and welcoming place to live.
6. Statewide Recruitment Efforts
Michigan isn’t leaving growth up to chance. The state recently launched a $20 million “You Can in Michigan” campaign to attract and retain young talent, with a focus on showing the lifestyle and career opportunities available here.
What This Means for Michigan’s Future
Michigan still has challenges, like an aging population and competition from other states, but momentum is building. More people are discovering the state’s affordable cost of living, natural beauty, and economic opportunity, and communities from Detroit to small rural towns are beginning to feel the benefits.
