News Summary

Michigan is witnessing notable demographic shifts in 2025, with residents relocating mainly within the Midwest and a surprising influx into Detroit. U-Haul’s analysis indicates that summer moves account for a substantial portion of relocations, reflecting a rebound in population growth. Despite some out-migration, Detroit is seeing an increase in residents, particularly from nearby states, highlighting a rejuvenation of the city’s appeal. The report attributes growth largely to international migration and changing remote work dynamics, though some areas continue to face challenges.

Detroit – Michigan is experiencing notable population shifts in 2025, with significant movement occurring both within and out of the state, according to U-Haul’s midyear analysis. The report highlights that many Michiganders are relocating primarily to nearby states within the Midwest, with Detroit seeing an influx of new residents from various regions across the United States.

U-Haul’s analysis, which focused on residential moves between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, reveals that these summertime relocations account for nearly half of all moves in the United States. In this evaluation of 35 metropolitan areas, Michigan emerged as a top origin state for eight popular destinations. Despite observing some residents moving out of state, Michigan recorded a population increase of 0.6% from 2023 to 2024, largely attributed to international migration, which welcomed over 67,000 new residents within the state.

The U-Haul data indicates that Michigan ranked among the top five origin states for five cities and was listed in the top ten origin states for three additional cities nationwide. Many Michiganders are leaving the state for locations that reflect a trend towards the Midwest, with Florida identified as the leading destination, followed closely by Ohio. In a marked contrast to the trends observed from 2020 to 2023, where the state faced ongoing population decline, the latest data show signs of rebounding growth.

Within Michigan, the cities attracting the most newcomers are concentrated in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula. Detroit, in particular, is experiencing significant population growth, with its numbers climbing from an estimated 638,914 in 2023 to approximately 645,705 in 2024. The inflow includes a diverse mix of residents from the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern states, indicating a rejuvenation in Detroit following a prolonged period of population decline.

The mayor of Detroit announced that the city’s population growth has surpassed the national average, marking an important turning point for the metropolitan area. This demographic shift is particularly notable considering that in 2023, Michigan suffered a net loss in domestic migration of over 20,000 individuals, underscoring the significance of the recent trend toward population growth.

Despite nearly all Michigan counties experiencing gains from international migration last year, except for Arenac County, several regions in the state are still contending with population challenges. High death rates, compared to births, continue to raise concerns about a natural decline in some areas. Northern Michigan, however, has seen a boost due to the post-pandemic shift towards remote work opportunities, with some communities gaining residents during this period.

The largest population increases were recorded in Oakland and Wayne counties, which could signify a resurgence in suburban appeal alongside urban growth. The factors that make Michigan attractive to new residents include its natural resources, quality of life, and emerging job opportunities across a variety of sectors. These elements are critical as the state continues to work towards overcoming historical challenges in attracting new residents, where it previously ranked near the bottom nationally on population growth metrics.

Looking ahead, Michigan is projected to experience an overall population increase from 2022 to 2034. However, forecasts suggest the state may face a decline from 2035 to 2050, indicating a complex demographic future. U-Haul’s findings emphasize the essential role of international migration in sustaining population growth, particularly as internal migration trends continue to evolve and present both opportunities and challenges for the state.