The 8 Fastest-Growing Towns in Michigan Everyone Is Talking About

Written by Volia Schubiger
Published: September 22, 2023
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The state of Michigan has been experiencing a wonderful boom in its population throughout many of its local towns. If you happen to be a Michigan native, this probably comes as no surprise to you. The Great Lakes State is known for its gorgeous landscape as well as picturesque cities. In this article, we’ll highlight eight of the fastest-growing towns in Michigan that have been expanding over the past few years. The data below is based on changes recorded by the US Census Bureau from 2010 to 2020. We’ll go over each town, what makes it great, and why we believe so many people have been choosing to move there.

1. Novi, Michigan

Early autumn trees in Maybury park Novi Michigan

The city of Novi is a northwestern suburb of Detroit and offers lots of beautiful parks to explore.

©SNEHIT PHOTO/Shutterstock.com

At the top of our list is the city of Novi, Michigan. Over a ten-year period, this city saw an almost 20% increase in its population. In 2020, the US Census Bureau recorded the population to be 66,154. So why have so many people been moving to Novi? Well, for starters, this small city is actually a suburb of Detroit. This means that individuals who choose to live here have the opportunity to easily commute into the city for work. Outside of economic opportunities, the city itself offers residents a beautiful suburban lifestyle. Novi also has tons of cool coffee shops, restaurants, and lush parks to explore. Overall, Novi is a serene city that has a lot to offer people who decide to settle here.

2. Dearborn, Michigan

Henry Ford Museum

In Dearborn, Michigan, you’ll find the state’s leading tourist attraction — The Henry Ford Museum. This attraction is considered the nation’s largest indoor and outdoor American history museum.

©Michael Barera / CC BY-SA 4.0 – License

There are tons of reasons why people are flocking to the city of Dearborn. In fact, this city has captured the attention of many thanks to how diverse it is and all of the history here. For example, did you know that the city was shaped by the Ford Motor Company? In fact, the Henry Ford Museum, located in Dearborn, is the country’s biggest indoor-outdoor history museum. However, that’s not the only reason why people have been talking about this town! The biggest factor is the incredibly diverse and welcoming community that you’ll find here. The city features great schools and numerous family-friendly activities to enjoy. It is also conveniently a few minute’s drive from downtown Detroit. This is why Dearborn has seen a 12% increase in the population from 2010 to 2020.

3. Kentwood, Michigan

Grand Rapids

One of the biggest benefits of living in Kentwood is its proximity to Grand Rapids.

©Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock.com

Another Michigan city that has been seeing exponential growth is Kentwood. Many locals and newcomers have been heading here thanks to the peaceful suburban setting, which provides the perfect escape from the bustle of larger cities. This is why many families choose to move to Kentwood. As a result, Kentwood is another one of the fastest-growing towns in Michigan. Additionally, the city is also in close proximity to Grand Rapids, which provides more job opportunities to residents in Kentwood. However, Kentwood is much more affordable than its larger city counterpart, which is why families are choosing to buy homes here. Over the past ten years, the population here has grown by nearly 12%. In 2020, Kentwood’s population was 54,274.

4. Dearborn Heights, Michigan

Dearborn Heights. Michigan. USA

As a part of Detroit’s metropolitan area, Dearborn Heights continues to attract residents.

©SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com

During the past decade, the city of Dearborn Heights has seen a population growth of nearly 10%. When you take into account how close the city is to Detroit, it all starts to make sense. As a part of Detroit’s metropolitan area, Dearborn Heights gives residents access to all of the employment opportunities and entertainment options of a big city without having to live right in the center of it all. The city of Dearborn Heights also has a great sense of community. Many residents that live here love how friendly everyone is and how many great local events always take place. All in all, this city continues to attract people because of the affordable housing options and unique blend of both urban and suburban living.

5. Troy, Michigan

On a snowy day in Troy Michigan

The city of Troy continues to be one of the most popular places to live, not only in Michigan but in the whole country.

©Shankar balaji/Shutterstock.com

There’s a reason why the city of Troy continues to attract more and more newcomers throughout the years. In fact, the city was even ranked as 22nd on a list of the “Best Places to Live” in the United States. This list was put together by CNN Money. When making the ranked list, CNN Money took into account education quality, the strength of the local economy, housing, and recreational opportunities available. This is why it is no surprise that Troy has grown by nearly 8% in ten years thanks to the great job opportunities available, the top-ranked school system, and safe neighborhoods. It is also centrally located within the Detroit metropolitan area.

6. Southfield, Michigan

Pink Cherry blossum trees in front of a fountain and townhomes in downtown Southfield, Michigan on a clear day in spring.

Located about 15 miles northwest of downtown Detroit, Southfield is considered a uniquely “urban suburb.”

©Davslens – davslens.com/Shutterstock.com

There are a lot of reasons why Southfield, Michigan, has grown by 6.44% over the past decade. Let’s start with the most obvious reason, which is its proximity to downtown Detroit. Southfield is unique in the fact that it is considered an inner-ring suburb of Detroit. This means that this city offers both urban and suburban living combined. Another big impact on the city’s growing population is the emerging tech sector. This has been providing residents with tons of job opportunities and economic growth for the city. Finally, Southfield offers locals great parks and fabulous shopping districts, all within a vibrant and friendly community.

7. Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grand Rapids at night

The Michigan city of Grand Rapids sits on the Grand River, east of Lake Michigan.

©Bird and BIrd Studio/Shutterstock.com

It’s no secret that Grand Rapids has continued to attract lots of newcomers to the city. It continues to be one of the fastest-growing towns in Michigan. As a major city in West Michigan, Grand Rapids is known for its impressive arts and cultural scene. Residents living here get to enjoy several amazing museums, great restaurants, craft beer breweries, and more! Additionally, since it is a major city, the economy and job market here is very strong. There are jobs available in many sectors, including healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. Outside of economic opportunity, the city is also celebrated for its amazing educational institutions. Overall, this is a fantastic city that continues to grow over the years. It’s no wonder that it is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States.

8. Warren, Michigan

Michigan, Suburb, Architecture, City, Color Image

Several major automotive companies and suppliers reside in Warren, which is known for its manufacturing industry.

©Jacob Boomsma/iStock via Getty Images

There are various reasons why the city of Warren, Michigan, has grown by nearly 4% over the last decade. Of course, its close proximity to the major city of Detroit is a big contributing factor. Warren is considered an inner-ring suburb of Detroit. This gives Warren residents access to everything the major city of Detroit has to offer. However, what makes Warren so appealing is the affordable housing and variety of neighborhoods to choose from based on each individual’s budget and needs. Families make their way into this city as it allows them the opportunity to buy a home and raise their children outside of the main city. There are also many parks throughout Warren and other fun recreational activities to partake in. Overall, the city has continued to attract a diverse population thanks to its charming feel that combines urban and suburban living.

Summary of the 8 Fastest Growing Towns in Michigan Everyone Is Talking About

RankTownPopulation Percentage Change From 2010 to 2020
1.Novi19.65%
2.Dearborn12.07%
3.Kentwood11.37%
4.Dearborn Heights9.49%
5.Troy7.48%
6.Southfield6.44%
7.Grand Rapids5.68%
8.Warren3.74%

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Bird and BIrd Studio/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Volia Schubiger is a freelance copywriter and content editor with a passion and expertise in content creation, branding, and marketing. She has a background in Broadcast Journalism & Political Science from CUNY Brooklyn College. When she's not writing she loves traveling, perusing used book stores, and hanging out with her other half.

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