Moving to Michigan
Michigan, otherwise known as ‘The Great Lakes State’, is a fabulous state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to MI, we have compiled a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful data to help make your move an easy transition.
Geography
Located in the East North Central Region of the country, Michigan is bordered by Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota (water border), Ohio and Wisconsin. With a total land area of over 96,716.11 Square Miles, it comes in as the 11th largest state.
Population
Currently, the population of MI is 9,928,300 making it the 10th most populated state in the union and the 16th most densely populated. The state capital, Lansing, has a population of 116941. which is the 21st smallest capital in the country.
Other Populous Michigan Cities are:
| US Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Detroit | 672,795 |
| 121 | Grand Rapids | 196,445 |
| 195 | Warren | 135,125 |
| 204 | Sterling Heights | 132,427 |
| 228 | Ann Arbor | 120,782 |
| 239 | Lansing | 116,020 |
| 307 | Clinton | 100,392 |
Notable Michiganians
Michigan is home to numerous famous and some infamous citizens such as, Nelson Algren a memorable author is from Detroit and Ralph J Bunche a prominent statesman is from Detroit. Others include people like Ellen Burstyn a actress and Bruce Catton a historian .
Climate
Michigan has a humid climate with large seasonal changes in temperature. Summers are warm and humid while winters are cold. The Great Lakes play an important role in the state’s climate. The Lower Peninsula is bordered by Lake Michigan to the west and by Lakes Huron and Erie to the east. The Upper Peninsula is bordered by Lake Superior to the north and Lakes Michigan and Huron to the east and south. The lakes moderate the climate, causing Michigan to be more temperate and moist compared to other north-central states. The moderating effect is most evident along the shores, which are considerably warmer during the winter and cooler in the summer compared to more inland locations. For example, Lansing and Muskegon have similar latitudes, but experience very different frequencies of hot and cold days. Lansing, which is located in the center of the state, averages 6.6 days with maximum temperatures above 90°F and 9 days with minimum temperatures below 0°F. In contrast, Muskegon, which is located along the western shore of Lake Michigan, averages only 1.8 days above 90°F and 2.7 days below 0°F each year. The moderating effects are even more striking along the shores of the even colder waters of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. Sault St Marie averages only 1 day above 90°F and there have been only 4 days since 1888 when the nighttime low temperature was above 70°F.
National Parks
Michigan is home to 1 beautiful national park.
- Isle Royale
The largest island in Lake Superior is a place of isolation and wilderness. Along with its many shipwrecks, waterways, and hiking trails, the park also includes over 400 smaller islands within 4.5 miles (7.2km) of its shores. There are only 20 mammal species on the entire island, though the relationship between its wolf and moose populations is especially unique.
Crime Statistics
Safety and security should always be an important consideration when relocating to a new location. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the security of its resident, it drastically affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Michigan’s violent crime rate is 42 per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 204per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.
Michigan ranks #14 in the US for violent crime and #37 for property crime.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Michigan’s educational system.
Overall Grade: C-
Michigan spends on average $12440.00 per pupil, which is greater than the national average ($11,900). MI ranks #33 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While MI ranks #33 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 79.80%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Michigan ranks #21 with over 45.70% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for Michigan is 6.65% which ranks 29th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. MI’s rate is $33.42 which ranks 33rd in the US.
Currently, MI sales tax is $22.00 for which it comes in as 23rd compared to other states.
Sports
Michigan fans are not only loyal but also very unwavering to their local major league teams. Michigan is home to the following teams: the Detroit Lions, the Detroit Pistons, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Detroit Tigers .
Utility Companies
Before you move to Michigan, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in MI.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to Michigan, visit their website at http://www.michigan.gov/