Michigan population flat, EV use lags
Census data shows a minor state population drop, while Detroit and Grand Rapids see small gains and solar adoption trails neighbors.
By Lina Lewis ·
Michigan's population remained essentially flat in 2025, with the state losing just over 12,000 residents, according to new US Census Bureau estimates released this week. The agency calculated that the state was home to approximately 10.1 million people last year. This represents a decline of less than 0.5 percent from 2024, a year that had followed two consecutive years of growth.
Despite the statewide stagnation, four of Michigan's 17 largest cities recorded population increases. Lansing posted the largest percentage gain among these cities, adding 1,317 residents to reach a total of 114,783. That increase of roughly 1.2 percent moved the capital city to sixth place in state rankings. Detroit and Grand Rapids, the state's two largest cities, also saw modest growth. Detroit added 3,413 people to reach an estimated 649,115, while Grand Rapids gained 1,049 residents to maintain its position as the second largest city with a population of 201,180.
Other major cities experienced slight declines. Dearborn, Southfield, Rochester Hills, and Farmington Hills each lost approximately 800 residents. Despite these drops, all four cities retain populations exceeding 75,000. The annual American Community Survey provides these estimates for areas with more than 65,000 residents, covering topics ranging from income to education.
Financial indicators showed mixed results for the state. The median household income in Michigan rose from $72,389 in 2024 to $75,832 in 2025. However, this figure remains below the national median household income of $84,780. In the education sector, 92.7 percent of Michiganders held a high school diploma or equivalent, surpassing the national estimate of 90.6 percent. Conversely, the share of the population with a bachelor's degree or higher stood at 33.9 percent, lagging behind the national figure of 37.4 percent.
The survey introduced new data on household energy and transportation. An estimated 148,819 Michigan households owned an electric vehicle last year, accounting for about 4 percent of homes. This adoption rate trailed the national average of 5.5 percent. Tricia Holley, a survey statistician at the Census Bureau, noted that western states led the transition to electric vehicles. She stated that California had the highest rate of EV adoption per household, followed by Washington, Hawaii, and Nevada.
Solar panel adoption in Michigan also remained behind several neighboring states. The Census estimated that 65,918 households in the state were equipped with solar panels in 2025. Illinois reported 177,113 such households, while Ohio had 72,125. These figures place Michigan below both of those states in solar infrastructure penetration.
Recent SAT data highlights a longer trend in postsecondary readiness. Only one-quarter of 11th graders in Michigan were classified as college ready earlier this year. That number dipped slightly from 26.6 percent the previous year and stands well below the 35 percent recorded a decade ago.
