From 1810 to 1940 the population of southern Michigan (hereafter designated as Lower Michigan) increased from five thousand to five million persons. As such changes go, this is a rather amazing rate of increase. The growth and distribution of population provide the basic historical foundations-economic, social, and political-for the development of Michigan into the state we know today. By 1860 Michigan was a democratic community of farmers, artisans, and lumbermen. It was derived mainly from New England, New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio, with some immigrants from Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, and Scandinavia.

In 1810, 4762 people lived in Michigan territory. By 1820, the population was 8096, and the three largest towns were Detroit, Mackinac, and Sault Ste. Marie. By 1850, 34% of the population were immigrants from New York State. Michigan fever in the 1830's was fueled by good land and the Erie Canal, but it was extended due to the copper boom of the 1840's and the iron ore boom shortly after that. In 1838, the furniture industry began in Grand Rapids, as small lumber mills began dotting the landscape. Out-migration from 1970-90 totalled nearly a million people, or 10% of the 1970 population. Why? 1980's recession and loss of jobs.

Michigan’s population growth can be divided into three periods. The first period covers the years 1810 to 1850, portraying the settlement of the southernmost counties. The second period, 1850 to 1910, covers the decades of settlement in the central and northern areas, and of continued growth in the previously settled southern area. The third period, from 1910 to 1940, highlights the urban dominance of southeastern counties, the relative stability of the central area, and the decline in population of the northern area.

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