According to numbers from the US Postal Service, the number of people living in Michigan has gone down over the past year. Over 186,000 people left the state between January 2021 and February 2022, while about 170,000 moved in. This trend has been going on for ten years, and the 2020 Census shows that Michigan has the fifth-lowest population growth.
Why are so many people leaving Michigan?
People choose to leave Michigan for many reasons, but some of the most popular ones are:
Problems with the economy: Michigan’s economy has been weak, especially since the Great Recession and the end of the car industry. The state has a smaller median family income and a higher unemployment rate than the rest of the country. A lot of people go to other states in search of better job chances and higher pay.
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Climate preferences: Not everyone likes the cold and snowy winters in Michigan. With an average annual temperature of 44.4°F and about 149 inches of snowfall, some people, especially older people or retirees, would rather live somewhere warmer and sunny.
Concerns about quality of life: Michigan has a high crime rate, a high poverty rate, and a low life expectancy, all of which are bad predictors of quality of life. The roads, bridges, and water systems in the state need to be fixed and improved right away. People also look for better places to live when they are unhappy with their local government, schools, and health care systems.
Where do people plan to move?
USPS data shows that the top 10 places where people are moving from Michigan are:
- Texas
- Arizona
- North Carolina
- Georgia
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- California
- Colorado
- Ohio
These states have things in common that make Michigan people want to live there, such as:
Warmer climates: Most of these states have better winters and warmer average temperatures than Michigan. Florida, for instance, has an average yearly temperature of 70.7°F and almost no rainfall. Many people like these states because they have lots of sunshine and fun things to do outside.
Lower taxes: Many of these states have lower taxes than Michigan, especially when it comes to land and income taxes. Texas, for example, does not have a state income tax and its property tax rate is cheaper than Michigan’s. In these places, a lot of people are looking for ways to save money and pay less in taxes.
More Job Possibilities: Many of these states offer more job possibilities, especially in technology, healthcare, and tourism. People who want better job opportunities and higher incomes move to Texas, which has a lower unemployment rate and a higher typical family income than Michigan.
Conclusion
Michigan’s population is going down because people are leaving because of the bad economy, hard weather, and worries about their quality of life. Warmer states like Texas and Arizona are popular vacation spots because they have better weather, lower taxes, and more work chances.
The movement trend has been going on for ten years, which shows that Michigan needs to fix its economic problems and make living conditions better generally to keep its residents and encourage growth.