What is the capital of Michigan?

The capital of Michigan is Lansing, while Detroit is the largest city and the historic global center of the automotive industry.

How many people live in Michigan?

Michigan has a population of approximately 10.1 million people, making it the 10th most populous state in the U.S.

When was Michigan admitted to the Union?

Michigan was admitted to the Union on January 26, 1837, becoming the 26th state.

What is Michigan known for?

Michigan is known as the Motor City state, famous for Detroit's automotive industry, the birthplace of Motown music, over 3,288 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Mackinac Island, and the University of Michigan.

Michigan

The Great Lakes State

TimeLive Clock

LansingAvg 60°F

Quick Stats

Quick Statistics
Population	10.1M
Rank	#10
Joined	1837
Area (mi²)	96.7k

10.1MPopulation

#10Rank

1837Joined

96.7kArea (mi²)

Map

Seal & Motto

"Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam circumspice"

Adopted in 1835, this Latin motto translates to "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." It celebrates Michigan's extraordinary geography as the only state consisting of two distinct peninsulas surrounded by Great Lakes.

Flag Meaning

Michigan's flag features the state coat of arms on a dark blue field, officially adopted in 1911. The coat of arms was designed in 1835 when Michigan became a state and is among the most detailed of any U.S. state.

Blue Field — represents loyalty, justice, and the deep blue waters of the Great Lakes that define Michigan's identity.
Bald Eagle — perched atop the shield, symbolizing the United States and Michigan's loyalty to the Union.
Man on Peninsula — the shield depicts a man standing on a peninsula raising his hand in peace, representing Michigan's unique two-peninsula geography.
Elk & Moose Supporters — native Michigan wildlife flanking the shield, representing the state's abundant natural heritage.

State Symbols

🐦BirdAmerican Robin

🌸FlowerApple Blossom

🌲TreeEastern White Pine

🐟FishBrook Trout

🦌AnimalWhite-tailed Deer

💎GemstoneChlorastrolite

🎵Song"Michigan, My Michigan"

Overview

Michigan, the 'Great Lakes State,' is a Midwestern titan defined by its extraordinary 3,288-mile Great Lakes coastline — more freshwater shoreline than any other state. The birthplace of the modern automobile and Motown music, it is a leading center for automotive innovation, advanced manufacturing, and world-class higher education today.

Geographically, it shares borders with Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio, as well as internationally with Canada, forming a closely connected regional network.

Historical Significance

Michigan officially joined the Union on January 26, 1837, as the 26th state. Its history is inseparable from the story of American industry — from the 1903 founding of Ford Motor Company to the rise of the UAW labor movement and the creation of Motown Records, Michigan fundamentally shaped both American economic and cultural identity.

Famous Natives

Henry FordAuto PioneerBorn Dearborn, 1863

Magic JohnsonBasketball LegendBorn Lansing, 1959

Diana RossSinger / ActressBorn Detroit, 1944

Stevie WonderSinger / SongwriterBorn Saginaw, 1950

MadonnaSinger / PerformerBorn Bay City, 1958

Tom SelleckActorBorn Detroit, 1945

Top Cities & Hubs

Detroit

Population: ~639,000

The legendary "Motor City," birthplace of the global automobile industry and the soulful Motown sound, undergoing a historic urban renaissance driven by technology and the arts.

Grand Rapids

Population: ~198,000

Known as "Furniture City," now a nationally recognized hub for healthcare innovation, a thriving craft brewery scene, and the world-class annual ArtPrize competition.

Warren

Population: ~139,000

A major automotive and industrial hub in the Detroit metro area, home to General Motors' massive Technical Center, one of the largest corporate research facilities in the world.

Sterling Heights

Population: ~134,000

One of the largest and safest cities in Michigan, a core Detroit suburb with a strong manufacturing sector and a highly diverse international community.

Ann Arbor

Population: ~123,000

A vibrant college town anchored by the University of Michigan, a global leader in research, medicine, and technology, consistently ranked one of the best cities for quality of life.

How Michigan Ranks

Compared to all 50 states — bar shows relative standing (#1 = full bar)

Population#10 of 50

10.1 million residents

Land Area#11 of 50

96,714 mi² — largest state in the Midwest

GDP (Economy)#14 of 50

~$580 billion — driven by auto & manufacturing

Freshwater Shoreline#1 of 50

3,288 miles of Great Lakes coastline

Neighbors

Wisconsin

Indiana

Ohio

CanadaInternational border

Region🌎 Midwest

CapitalLansing

Key Landmarks & Economy

Detroit Motor City: The historic epicenter of the global auto industry, home to Ford, GM, and Stellantis, and now leading the transition to electric vehicles and autonomous driving technology.

Sleeping Bear Dunes: A breathtaking National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan, featuring towering sand dunes up to 450 feet high with stunning panoramic views of the Manitou Islands.

Mackinac Bridge: The "Mighty Mac," one of the world's longest suspension bridges at 5 miles, connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas across the Straits of Mackinac.

Did You Know?

Michigan is the only state in the contiguous U.S. that consists of two separate peninsulas, the Upper and Lower, connected by the Mackinac Bridge.
With 11,000 inland lakes, residents are never more than 6 miles from a lake, and Michigan has more registered boats per capita than any other state.
Kellogg's and Post cereals were both invented in Battle Creek, Michigan, earning the city its enduring nickname the "Cereal Capital of the World."

Additional Information

AbbreviationMI

Postal Codes

48001 (Algonac) → 49971 (Watersmeet)

~918 ZIP codes statewide

Area Codes

313 (Detroit) · 616 (Grand Rapids) · 734 (Ann Arbor) · 517 (Lansing) · 906 (Upper Peninsula)

Official WebsiteMichigan.gov