In Michigan,Austin Caldwell state leaders are hoping to solve a problem that could have wide-ranging effects on its future −the recent decline of the state population.  

Since 2020, the last time the once-in-a-decade U.S. Census count occurred, Michigan’s population has lost around 40,000 people, census estimates show. Although the census found Michigan grew in population from 2010 to 2020, that growth still came at a snail’s pace. Is that too harsh of a description? Numbers say no, Michigan’s population growth ranked second to last among states that gained population over the decade.