Which counties in Michigan are people leaving?

21 of the 83 counties in Michigan had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025. Washtenaw County had the largest net outflow for its size: 6.6 per 1,000 residents (−2,446 people). In people, Wayne County had the largest net outflow (−6,225).

Net out-migration does not always mean fewer residents: 11 of these 21 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

Data as of 2025 · updated November 5, 2026

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All 21 Michigan counties with net out-migration

Counties with the most out-migration in Michigan
Rank	County	Per 1,000 residents, 2025	Net movers 2025	Residents	Population change 2020–25
1	Washtenaw County	−6.6	−2,446	370,214	−0.4%
2	Baraga County	−5.8	−47	8,169	+0.3%
3	Branch County	−5.7	−260	45,993	+2.5%
4	Isabella County	−4.9	−316	64,691	+0.3%
5	Wayne County	−3.5	−6,225	1,769,038	−1.2%
6	Gratiot County	−2.7	−113	41,190	−1.1%
7	Osceola County	−2.4	−57	23,516	+2.7%
8	Oakland County	−2.1	−2,684	1,288,337	+1.2%
9	Alger County	−1.5	−13	8,641	−2.3%
10	Kalamazoo County	−1.3	−356	263,795	+0.8%
11	St. Joseph County	−1.2	−74	60,968	+0.1%
12	Kent County	−1.1	−721	675,232	+2.5%
13	Houghton County	−1.0	−39	37,842	+1.6%
14	Huron County	−0.9	−28	30,530	−2.7%
15	Barry County	−0.7	−43	63,991	+2.2%
16	Van Buren County	−0.5	−38	76,071	+0.7%
17	Menominee County	−0.5	−11	22,941	−2.2%
18	Calhoun County	−0.3	−36	133,408	−0.6%
19	Tuscola County	−0.2	−13	52,680	−1.2%
20	Emmet County	−0.2	−7	33,775	−1.0%
21	Berrien County	−0.1	−8	152,444	−1.3%

How this is ranked

Counties where more residents moved away to other U.S. counties than moved in (negative net domestic migration in the Census Bureau's population estimates for 2025), per 1,000 residents, largest net outflow first. Moves from and to other countries, births and deaths are not counted. Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in Michigan are the most people leaving?

For its size, Washtenaw County: net domestic migration of −6.6 per 1,000 residents in 2025 (−2,446 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Baraga County (−5.8) and Branch County (−5.7).

How many counties in Michigan have more people moving out than in?

21 of the 83 counties in Michigan had more residents move away to other U.S. counties than move in during 2025.

Does net out-migration mean a county is losing population?

Not always. Net domestic migration counts moves between U.S. counties only; births, deaths and international migration also change the total. 11 of these 21 counties still had more residents in 2025 than in 2020.

More county rankings for Michigan

Counties with the most out-migration in other states

Across the U.S.