In Michigan, you'll find a diverse economy with a wide array of employment options. You'll also be pleasantly surprised to discover that just as the state's industry isn't all about manufacturing, neither is its environment. Michigan has millions of acres of forest, 11,000 inland lakes, and more than 3,000 miles of shoreland. The state also abuts Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Michigan - four of the five Great Lakes in the region.
If you're looking for affordable, you came to the right state. Michigan's overall cost of living is 10.4% lower than the U.S. average. Howell is 18.2% higher than the state average, but there's a nice variety of affordable municipalities. For example, Grand Rapids and Detroit are 1.8% and 2% lower than the state, and Lansing is 13.1% cheaper.
You might want to decide where you want to live before you start looking for a house because there are so many excellent Michigan rent-to-own homes and rentals. The median cost of a home in the state is $151,400, which is nearly $80,000 less than the U.S. average of $231,200. Howell's median is $251,000, but it goes down from there for the most part. Houses in Detroit and Lansing cost $53,700 and $86,300 on average, and the median price in Grand Rapids is $164,900. From quiet, serene neighborhoods to bustling city life, this state's affordable options are almost endless.
Michigan is in one of the United States' cooler areas. January is the coldest month of the year, and July is the warmest for the state. The average low temperature in January is 14.1°F, while the average high in July is 81.2°F. Michigan gets 63.7 inches of snow per year, compared to 27.8 inches for the rest of the country.
Michigan's population is 75.7% white, 13.9% black, 4.6% Hispanic, 2.8% Asian, and 2.4% mixed. An overwhelming 92.9% of its citizens were born in the U.S., and 50.7% of the people are female.
Children ages 17 and under make up 22.5% of the population, college-aged residents are 5.87%, young adults between 22-39 are 22.2%, older adults combine for 34.1% of the state, and 15.4% are seniors aged 65 years and older.
As expected, the top two employers in Michigan are automotive giants General Motors Co. and Ford Motor Co., with government jobs through the state coming in third. Michigan has many Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, including Dow, Penske Automotive Group, Whirlpool, Lear, Stryker, Kellogg, DTE Energy, and Ally Financial.
In Lansing, car manufacturing dates back to 1897 and is still a major industry, along with government, education, insurance, and health care. Nearly 120,000 people live in the city, and its universities attract many students who walk the streets, shop locally, and bring additional vibrancy to Lansing.
Detroit is the most populous city in Michigan and 24th in the nation. The city lost its title as the state capital to Lansing back in 1847, but it's still the car capital of the world. Health care, retail, hospitality, education, transportation, finance, and insurance are all happening industries in Detroit. Its 670,031 residents include many loyal Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings fans.
Grand Rapids is the second-most populous city in Michigan. Still called Furniture City because of its emergence as a leader in the lumber industry in the 1800s, the city's primary sectors are aviation, bioscience, and education. Grand Rapids has eight destination neighborhoods with unique shopping, dining, and entertainment experiences.
You don't have to go too far to enjoy Michigan's beauty. The Great Lakes are massive, and simply visiting these magnificent bodies of water makes for a relaxing day. If you're not one for sitting around, chime in on the action by going speedboating, diving, or snorkeling. Set sail on a cruise, and you'll see breathtaking views while stopping at ports to check out fascinating plant life, museums, and quaint villages.
Lighthouses along the shore come in various shapes and sizes, many with stories to share about its operations, history, and unpreventable shipwrecks in the area. Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, located along Lake Huron, is the oldest lighthouse in Michigan - operating since 1825. Traverse the waterways of Lake Superior, and stop off at Isle Royale National Park, where there are over 200 islands to explore. Isle Royale itself has 165 miles of hiking trails loaded with wildlife such as wolves and moose.