The Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program produces annual estimates of population for counties, using current data on births, deaths, and migration. This chart breaks down population change into the four major components - births, deaths, international migration, and domestic migration. The estimates from previous years are revised with each new release, with domestic migration also including re-estimation residuals. It is important to understand changes to the population components, as changes to birth and death rates, along with domestic and international migration, impact the labor pool and the demand for public and educational services. Given our region's 30-year forecast is predicting more deaths than births, attracting new residents through domestic and international migration is critical.
Southeast Michigan's population grew for its second straight year in 2024. The growth is attributed to two factors: 1) domestic migration, while still negative, was less negative in 2024 than in 2023; and 2) international migration increased over its year 2023 figure. Domestic migration improved from -26,903 in 2023 to -15,094, a difference of almost 12,000 people. International migration increased from 38,870 in 2023 to 47,057 in 2024, a gain of more than 8,000 people. Deaths decreased by just over 2,000 people. The one area of concern is births, which fell from 49,131 in 2023 to 48,303 in 2024, for a decline of 823 newborns.