Michigan’s population has seen an uptick over the past year, primarily driven by international migration, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The new 2024 vintage numbers suggest that the state will maintain all 13 of its current Electoral College votes in the 2030 reapportionment, despite previous concerns about potential losses.
In recent years, Michigan’s population trends have been concerning, especially in 2021 when the state experienced a net loss of 31,000 people. However, improvements in the Census Bureau’s methodology, particularly in estimating international migration, have painted a more optimistic picture. This year, the state recorded a net gain of 57,000 people, largely attributed to an increase in international migrants.
“Improved integration of federal data sources on immigration has enhanced our estimates methodology,” said Christine Hartley, assistant division chief for Estimates and Projections at the Census Bureau. These updates have allowed for more accurate tracking of migration trends, contributing to the state’s overall population growth.
From 2020 to 2024, international migration to Michigan has steadily increased, from just 409 migrants in 2020 to 67,608 in 2024. This surge is partly due to a significant rise in the number of migrants entering Michigan, which contrasts with previous years when net international migration was much lower. The state’s immigrant population is composed of a mix of legal and unauthorized migrants, with 88,000 undocumented immigrants making up 13% of the state’s total immigrant population of 690,000.
Despite a natural population decline—where there were 2,855 more deaths than births—the state has seen fewer net losses to other states in 2024, a drop from the nearly 30,000 people lost in 2021, largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The total population of Michigan reached 10,140,459 in 2024, up from 10,072,703 in 2020, maintaining Michigan’s position as the 10th-most populous state in the U.S.
As the U.S. population grew by 1.0% in 2024, Michigan’s population increased by 0.6%. This growth is largely due to the rising net international migration, a key factor in the nation’s fastest annual growth since 2001.