Discover the Largest City in Michigan Now and in 2050

In the upper midwestern United States, Michigan borders several other states, including Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Located in the Great Lakes region, the state connects to Illinois, Minnesota, and the Canadian province of Ontario by the Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. It is the 11th largest state in the country, in addition to being the 10th most populated state. Michigan became the 26th state in 1837 after a tumultuous conflict with its neighboring state, Ohio. Check out the largest city in Michigan and its potential for growth by 2050 below.

What is the Largest City in Michigan?

Detroit is the largest city in Michigan, with a population of 620,376, according to the 2022 U.S. census estimate. It is the 29th most populous city in the United States, falling below Memphis and Louisville in 2022.

Detroit Statistics and Economics

Detroit has a rich history characterized by the automotive industry, Motown music, and distinctive architecture. A major city in the industrial “Rust Belt,” Detroit has long been a center of automobile manufacturing in the U.S. Detroit once had a booming economy but experienced significant downturns, especially during the 1960s-1970s and the 2009 recession. Although deindustrialization has impacted the automotive industry in recent decades, reports from the University of Michigan indicate steady economic growth, highlighting the success of several revitalization plans instituted in the city. 

The median household income of Detroit citizens is $34,762. The cost of living in Detroit is 7% higher than the national average, according to the Economic Research Institute, but more affordable concerning transportation and health costs.

What Attracts People to Detroit?

Detroit has become an increasingly popular tourist destination with many museums, parks, and attractions to draw attention. From the Detroit Institute of Arts to the Henry Ford Museum, visitors have many options for entertainment. Detroit offers exciting games throughout the year from all four sports teams, with the Tigers, Lions, Pistons, and Red Wings.

Detroit is also home to Belle Isle, a beautiful 982-acre park on an island in the middle of the Detroit River. This park offers historic, environmental, and cultural resources, including the Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. Belle Isle Aquarium, America’s oldest original aquarium, opened in 1904 and today offers a unique collection of species, including the only known collection of all seven species of gar in North America. 

Another major attraction of Detroit is its unique collection of historic places and architectural monuments. With one of the largest surviving groups of late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings, the biggest city in Michigan remains a fascinating place for walking tours.

What Will Be the Largest City in Michigan in 2050?

Despite its falling population, Detroit will likely remain the largest city in Michigan in 2050. Detroit and its surrounding metropolitan area have seen a steady drop in population for many years. For example, in 2016, almost 680,000 people called Detroit home, according to The Detroit News. However, other areas in Michigan are not growing enough to outpace the significant population of Detroit. At 620,376 people, Detroit’s population is over three times larger than the next biggest Michigan city. Grand Rapids, the next largest Michigan city, is also actively losing people. Larger cities, such as Dearborn, are not growing fast enough to catch up to the population in Detroit. However, it is unlikely that Detroit will ever again reach the same population as it did in the 1950s when it was America’s 4th largest city with 1.85 million people.

Top 5 Largest Cities in Michigan: A Comparison

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/f11photo