Michigan Lands in Bottom 10 on U-Haul Growth Index for Fifth Straight Year Under Gretchen Whitmer

Livonia, MI -  Michigan has once again landed near the bottom of the national rankings for population growth, coming in at #41 on the 2025 U-Haul Growth Index. This marks the fifth consecutive year the state has ranked among the ten worst in the country, an unmistakable sign that Michigan is losing people, opportunity, and momentum.

The U-Haul Growth Index, which measures net one-way migration between states, is widely considered a real-time indicator of where Americans are choosing to live, work, and invest.

“After 7 years of a Democrat Governor in Lansing, the results are clear: people are leaving,” said Mike Cox, Republican candidate for Governor. “Governor Whitmer and her allies have made Michigan more expensive, more regulated, and less competitive.”

While states that don’t have a tax on work and embrace pro-growth policies are booming, Michigan continues to hemorrhage residents, particularly working families, young professionals, and small business owners.

“This didn’t happen by accident,” Cox continued. “It’s the direct result of a high-tax, big-government agenda that punishes success and stifles opportunity. When you tax work, overregulate job creators, and grow government instead of the economy, people leave.”

Cox said the solution is simple: It’s time to pull a u-turn.

“As Governor, I will end the tax on work, slash unnecessary regulations, and make Michigan a magnet for growth again,” Cox said. “We will stop the exodus and make Michigan an economic engine of the nation once more.”

Cox warned that without immediate reform, Michigan risks permanent decline. “This ranking isn’t just embarrassing… it’s dangerous,” Cox added. “If we stay on the current path, Michigan will continue to fall behind while other states surge ahead. We don’t need more excuses. We need new leadership.”