Michigan State Facts & Information

As of July 2024, Michigan's population reached a historic high of 10,140,459, representing an increase of 57,103 people (0.6%) from 2023. This is the largest one-year population growth in the state this century. Michigan remains the 10th most populous state in the nation.

Gretchen Whitmer serves as Michigan's 49th governor, having first assumed office on January 1, 2019. She was re-elected in 2022 and currently serves alongside Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist. Governor Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander and has served as a lawyer, educator, former prosecutor, State Representative, and Senator.

In 2024, Michigan's real GDP reached $566.0 billion, representing a 2.1% increase from 2023 and the highest GDP in the state's history. The GDP per capita is $55,819, ranking Michigan 37th nationally. Michigan is the 14th largest state economy and has a diverse economic base including automotive manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and state government operations.

Lansing is Michigan's capital city, with a population of 112,644 (2020 census). Founded in 1835 and designated as the state capital in 1847, Lansing was chosen for its more central location after concerns about Detroit's vulnerability to British attack. The Michigan State Capitol building, designed by Elijah E. Myers, was completed in 1879 and remains the working seat of state government.

Michigan's state bird is the American Robin (adopted 1931), the state flower is the Sweet Crabapple (adopted 1897), and the state tree is the White Pine (adopted 1955). The state also has a wildflower (Dwarf Lake Iris), state fish (Brook Trout), state reptile (Painted Turtle), state fossil (Mastodon), and state game mammal (White-Tailed Deer).

Michigan was admitted to the Union as the 26th state on January 26, 1837. The state's name comes from the Ojibwa word "mishigamaa," meaning "large water" or "large lake," referring to the Great Lakes that surround the state's two peninsulas.

Lansing is unique as the only U.S. state capital (among the 47 located in counties) that is not also a county seat. The seat of Ingham County government is actually in Mason, though the county maintains some offices in Lansing. The city was originally called "Michigan, Michigan" before being renamed Lansing, and wasn't incorporated as a city until 1859, twelve years after becoming the capital.

Michigan's 2024 population growth was driven entirely by international migration. While the state experienced a net loss of 7,656 people to other states and had more deaths than births, international migration more than compensated for these losses. Michigan ranked 11th highest nationally in international migration from 2023 to 2024, with Detroit leading the state in population growth.