The 2024 Mackinac Policy Conference became all about how to increase Michigan’s population.

After that conference, politicians, demographers and economists were theorizing about how to increase the state population. Last December, newly released data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that Michigan increased its population by about 57,000. And last month, we got word that Detroit also increased its population by 6,800 residents. 

What should we make of these numbers? Are they too small to celebrate? Or, is the state and its largest city on a path to continue the trend?

Metro Producer Sam Corey spoke with Citizens Research Council President Eric Lupher at the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference last week to learn more.

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