Fastest growing cities in Michigan
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Michigan using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Forest Hills
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,145
--- #1,531 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 12.4%
--- #121 among cities in Michigan, #7,850 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 28,573
--- #41 largest city in Michigan, #1,569 largest city nationwide
#19. Auburn Hills
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,198
--- #1,503 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 15.1%
--- #105 among cities in Michigan, #6,931 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 24,360
--- #53 largest city in Michigan, #1,874 largest city nationwide
#18. Warren
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 3,596
--- #1,349 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 2.6%
--- #278 among cities in Michigan, #13,170 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 139,387
--- #3 largest city in Michigan, #203 largest city nationwide
#17. Southfield
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,669
--- #1,334 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 5.0%
--- #218 among cities in Michigan, #11,568 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 76,618
--- #13 largest city in Michigan, #495 largest city nationwide
#16. Wixom
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,737
--- #1,309 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 27.8%
--- #53 among cities in Michigan, #4,148 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,193
--- #66 largest city in Michigan, #2,590 largest city nationwide
#15. Farmington Hills
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,795
--- #1,290 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.7%
--- #223 among cities in Michigan, #11,759 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 83,986
--- #11 largest city in Michigan, #436 largest city nationwide
#14. Cutlerville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +3,867
--- #1,273 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 27.7%
--- #55 among cities in Michigan, #4,167 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 17,849
--- #64 largest city in Michigan, #2,510 largest city nationwide
#13. Okemos
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,096
--- #1,199 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 19.5%
--- #83 among cities in Michigan, #5,750 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 25,121
--- #50 largest city in Michigan, #1,810 largest city nationwide
#12. Sterling Heights
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,659
--- #1,074 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 3.6%
--- #251 among cities in Michigan, #12,517 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 134,346
--- #4 largest city in Michigan, #216 largest city nationwide
#11. Wyoming
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,685
--- #1,068 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 6.5%
--- #191 among cities in Michigan, #10,650 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 76,501
--- #14 largest city in Michigan, #496 largest city nationwide
#10. Dearborn Heights
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 5,226
--- #970 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 9.0%
--- #161 among cities in Michigan, #9,355 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 63,292
--- #19 largest city in Michigan, #642 largest city nationwide
#9. Rochester Hills
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,694
--- #895 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 8.1%
--- #174 among cities in Michigan, #9,820 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 76,300
--- #15 largest city in Michigan, #500 largest city nationwide
#8. Hamtramck
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 5,839
--- #874 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 25.8%
--- #60 among cities in Michigan, #4,442 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 28,433
--- #43 largest city in Michigan, #1,575 largest city nationwide
#7. Kentwood
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,062
--- #846 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 12.6%
--- #118 among cities in Michigan, #7,784 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 54,304
--- #23 largest city in Michigan, #782 largest city nationwide
#6. Troy
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,307
--- #814 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 7.8%
--- #177 among cities in Michigan, #9,968 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 87,294
--- #9 largest city in Michigan, #414 largest city nationwide
#5. Grand Rapids
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +8,476
--- #617 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.5%
--- #231 among cities in Michigan, #11,956 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 198,917
--- #2 largest city in Michigan, #127 largest city nationwide
#4. Ann Arbor
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +8,647
--- #599 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 7.5%
--- #182 among cities in Michigan, #10,144 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 123,851
--- #5 largest city in Michigan, #235 largest city nationwide
#3. Allendale
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +10,421
--- #496 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 62.6%
--- #13 among cities in Michigan, #1,671 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 27,073
--- #45 largest city in Michigan, #1,662 largest city nationwide
#2. Dearborn
- 2010 to 2020 population change: 11,584
--- #445 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 11.8%
--- #133 among cities in Michigan, #8,103 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 109,976
--- #7 largest city in Michigan, #291 largest city nationwide
#1. Novi
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +12,420
--- #400 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 23.1%
--- #70 among cities in Michigan, #4,947 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 66,243
--- #17 largest city in Michigan, #609 largest city nationwide
