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Largest cities in Michigan, 2010 to 2025

Detroit: 649,095 residents in 2025, ahead of Grand Rapids (201,183). Compare Michigan city-limit populations since 2010.

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What the data shows

  • In 2025, Detroit ranks #1 with 649K, ahead of Grand Rapids (201K) and Warren (137K).
  • Detroit holds #1 for the whole period, 2010 to 2025.

About this chart

Detroit leads Michigan with 649,095 residents in 2025, ahead of Grand Rapids by 447,912. Grand Rapids has 201,183 people, while Warren ranks third with 137,138. The ranking uses incorporated-place populations rather than metropolitan areas. Detroit had 711,198 residents in 2010, so its city-limit count fell by 8.7% over the displayed period. Detroit was the largest of these places at the start of the series.

The annual Census estimates describe July 1 populations within the boundaries of each incorporated place in Michigan. The series joins Vintage 2020 estimates for 2010–2019 with Vintage 2025 estimates from 2020 onward. Boundary changes and revisions can affect the trend. Unincorporated communities and census-designated places are excluded, and the ranking does not measure the population of the wider urban or commuting region. Every place that entered the annual top ten remains in the chart.

The data

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Incorporated places only, not metro areas. Census towns and unincorporated census-designated places are excluded; this is not a ranking of every local jurisdiction. Boundary and vintage changes can affect comparisons.

Largest cities in Michigan, City-limit population, 2010 to 2025, 2010–2025
DateDetroitGrand RapidsWarrenSterling HeightsLansingAnn ArborFlintDearbornLivoniaWestlandTroyFarmington Hills
2010711K188K134K130K114K114K102K97.8K96.6K84K81K79.8K
2011705K189K134K130K115K116K101K97.2K96.1K83.5K81.7K80.3K
2012700K191K135K131K115K116K100K96.9K95.9K83.3K82.3K80.9K
2013692K193K135K132K115K117K99.5K96.1K95.2K82.7K83K81.5K
2014683K194K136K132K115K119K98.6K96K95.2K82.6K83.4K81.8K
2015680K195K135K132K115K120K97.8K95.5K94.9K82.3K83.5K81.6K
2016677K197K135K132K117K121K97.1K95.1K94.5K82.1K84.1K81.6K
2017675K199K135K133K118K122K96.5K94.8K94.3K82K84.2K81.5K
2018674K200K134K133K118K122K95.9K94.5K94.1K81.8K84.2K81K
2019670K201K134K132K118K120K95.5K94K93.7K81.6K84.1K80.6K
2020638K199K139K134K113K124K81.1K110K95.4K85.1K87.1K83.8K
2021635K198K138K133K113K120K80.6K108K94.4K84.3K87.7K83.4K
2022634K198K137K132K113K121K79.9K107K93.4K83.2K87.3K82.9K
2023637K198K137K133K113K122K79.6K106K92.7K82.5K87.5K82.8K
2024644K199K137K134K113K121K79.6K106K92.8K82.5K88.2K83.3K
2025649K201K137K134K114K122K79.3K106K92.6K82.3K88.7K83.3K

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Frequently asked questions

What is the largest city in Michigan?

In 2025, Detroit ranks #1 with 649K, followed by Grand Rapids (201K) and Warren (137K). Source: U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people.

What is the largest city in Michigan?

Detroit is the largest incorporated place in Michigan, with 649,095 residents in the Census July 1, 2025 estimates. Grand Rapids follows with 201,183.

How has the population of Detroit changed?

Its city-limit population moved from 711,198 in 2010 to 649,095 in 2025, a 8.7% decrease. Boundary changes and Census revisions can contribute to differences.

Does this ranking include metro areas?

No. It compares incorporated places within Michigan, not metropolitan areas. Census-designated places and other unincorporated communities are excluded.

Where does this data come from?

U.S. Census Bureau, city and town population estimates (Vintage 2020 for 2010–2019, Vintage 2025 for 2020–2025), incorporated places, July 1, people. Retrieved November 5, 2026. Incorporated places only, not metro areas. Census towns and unincorporated census-designated places are excluded; this is not a ranking of every local jurisdiction. Boundary and vintage changes can affect comparisons. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

Can I turn this chart into a video?

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