Michigan population grows thanks to international migration, new census data shows
More people called Michigan home this year thanks to international migration, new census data shows.
As of July 1, the state added 3,980 people, up 0.04% from 2022 to 10,037,261, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's annual population estimate released Tuesday. However, Michigan's total population remains lower than it was in 2020 when the decennial census recorded 10,077,331 residents.
"After two years of population loss, Michigan has experienced the first increase of the decade," demographer Kurt Metzger said. "To truly grow the population by retaining and attracting younger residents, all efforts must be directed to the migration side of the equation."
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Births, deaths and migration patterns (people moving to or from a place) are key factors used to estimate population change. In the 12-month period ending July 1, more residents left the state for another than relocated to Michigan from another state — a loss of 15,051 to domestic migration. In addition, the state's natural population (the difference between births and deaths) declined ― a loss of 4,030 residents as deaths outnumbered births.
But net international migration (the number of people moving in and out of the country) added approximately 22,817 new residents, offsetting the losses from domestic migration and natural population change.
The U.S. population increased by 0.5% to roughly 334.9 million residents. South Carolina grew the fastest at 1.7%, followed by Florida and Texas at 1.6%.
Michigan is one of 11 states that lost population in 2021-22, but gained this year. Eight states saw population decline.
Contact Kristi Tanner: [email protected]. Follow her on X: @midatalove.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan's population: Census data shows small increase
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