Capping off a historic turnaround, Detroit now leads Michigan in population growth
- US Census data released today shows Detroit gained 12,487 residents since May 2024 estimate
- Detroit population growth rate doubled the State of Michigan in 2024 and beat national average
- Detroit passes Portland to become 26th largest city in U.S. and gaining on Boston
The U.S. Census report released today Detroit’s population estimate at 645,705, a gain of 12,487 from last year’s U.S. Census report, Mayor Mike Duggan shared today. With that gain, Detroit has now moved ahead of Portland, Oregon, as the 26th largest city in the United States. Detroit now ranks just behind Boston at 25.
Detroit’s gain of 12,487 residents was made up of two elements:
- A record increase of 6,791 Detroiters in 2024 alone.
- The addition of 5,696 Detroiters who the Census Bureau acknowledged had been undercounted from 2021-2023
At a gathering of city employees and community members this morning, Mayor Duggan thanked and gave credit to the countless people who have worked for years for Detroit to hear news like this.
“This record growth would not have been possible without the hard work of longtime Detroiters, our business community and city employees over the past 12 years,” said Mayor Duggan. “Together, we have created a city that is full of opportunity and vibrancy for new and existing Detroiters alike. These new number also show that the hard work of ensuring every Detroiter is counted has been worth the effort,” the Mayor added.
In May 2024, the Census Bureau reported a Detroit population increase of 1,852, the first increase since 1957. The new report released today acknowledges a significant undercount in last year’s report.
After being a decades-long symbol of flight and population decline, Detroit has seen a remarkable reversal:
Detroit’s 6,791 (1.1%) population increase in 2024 led the State of Michigan’s growth
Detroit’s 1.1% population increase over 2023 doubled the rate of Michigan’s statewide increase of 0.6%.
Detroit’s 2024 increase of 6,791 led all Michigan cities, more than tripling the increase of Grand Rapids, the next closest city (1,847).
Detroit’s 6,791 (1.1%) population increase in 2024 beat U.S. national growth rate
The U.S. population growth rate in 2024 was 0.98%. Detroit’s growth rate of 1.1% beat the national average.
As a result of this growth, Detroit’s population has passed that of Portland, Oregon, to move Detroit up from the country’s 27th largest city to the 26th largest. Detroit now trails Boston for the 25th spot and closed the gap between them this year.
The Mayor said that key factors in Detroit’s surging growth are strengthened neighborhoods (including renovated homes, parks and commercial corridors), reliable city services, ongoing development of major job centers, nation-leading reductions in crime, as well as a world class sports and entertainment district and international waterfront.