Feedback Glossary: 

Polls 

Moving Motivations National Poll Fall 2023 

• Surveyed over 1,650 18-34 year olds across 17 different metropolitan regions about young people’s motivations when deciding where to put down roots. 

Takeaways: 

• The top factors that influenced moving decisions were job or educational opportunities (74%), proximity to family and friends (50%) natural and cultural amenities (32%) 

• A new job or educational opportunity was elevated as the number one reason for a planned relocation 

• Access crosstabs 

• Access data 

Public Engagement Survey Fall 2023 

• As a part of the Growing Michigan Together Council’s report over 7,500 Michiganders were surveyed about challenges and opportunities facing the state during events hosted with Michigan’s Chief Growth Officer.   

Takeaways: 

• When asked about the most pressing issues facing their communities, 30% said they need improved infrastructure, 13% said better career and education opportunities and 10% said more accessible and available housing. 

• 18-34 year olds identify housing (18%), cost of living (16%), and career and education opportunities (12%) as the most important issue facing their community 

• When asked what motivated national respondent to live in their current city:50% said job or educational opportunities 27% said proximity to family and friends 13% said cost of living 

• When asked what they loved most about Michigan, 81% say natural beauty, 51% say recreation infrastructure weather, 35% say weather 

• 40% of all 18-34-year olds surveyed said recreation infrastructure and the sense of community are what they love the most about living in Michigan 

• Access our report analyzing feedback on the types of challenges communities face and what people love most about their home community 

• Access data 

Moving Motivations Poll May 2024 

• Surveyed 6,000+ 18-34-year-olds across 15 different metropolitan regions about motivations when deciding where to put down roots, including which programs most impact moving decisions.  

Takeaways: 

• Housing affordability (94%), safety (94%), quality of healthcare (89%), access to nature and outdoor activities (84%), and walkability (81%) rank as the top five characteristics young people indicated as important to them when seeking a new place to call home. 

• 57% said their current location was becoming too expensive.  

• 36% of those who indicated cost of living as a challenge said they have considered moving because of this factor. 

• Respondents identified that cash incentives down payment assistance (70%), student loan repayment assistance (51%), and free community college (27%) were the policies/program benefits that would have the greatest impact on their relocation decisions, should they choose to move 

• Access our report analyzing the top factors that young people consider when deciding where to live, work, and play. 

• Access crosstabs  

• Access data 

Choosing Communities Poll June 2024 

• Surveyed 1,650+ 18-34-year-olds across 17 different metropolitan regions about motivations when deciding where to put down roots, including which programs most impact moving decisions. 

Takeaways: 

• Respondents identified that cash incentives  @Brittany Hill (MEDC)  what do we say instead here..(49%), down payment assistance (48%), free tuition at a four year university (37%), and student loan repayment assistance (31%) were the policies/program benefits that would have the greatest impact on their relocation decisions, should they choose to move 

• 49% Cash incentive  

• 48% Down payment assistance on a home  

• 37% Free tuition on a 4 year university 

• Access crosstabs  

• Access data 

 Green Jobs Poll June 2025 

• Surveyed 1,500 18-34-year-olds across the nation on how climate impacts their decisions in choosing where to live and work. 

• Over half of respondents indicated that green jobs are vital in addressing the impacts of climate change (61%) 

• The top three elements considered when respondents are choosing a community to live in are housing affordability (78%); Safety (75%), and Access to nature and outdoors (56%) 

• Access snap report  

• Access crosstabs 

• Access data 

Creative Economy Poll August 2025 

• Surveyed 425+ 18-34-year-olds across the state, including artists, designers, creative entrepreneurs, and cultural workers, on challenges and opportunities within Michigan’s creative ecosystem 

• Nearly half (45%) of respondents believe they can achieve their personal creative goals in Michigan 

• The top three most utilized resources were: Online platforms (e.g., Etsy, Patreon, Instagram) (42%); Collaborators or creative peers (37%); and Equipment or tools (e.g., cameras, software, materials) (37%) 

•  A lack of: financial resources (46%), jobs (45%), and connections (43%) are the biggest barriers respondents face towards a creative career in MI 

• Access snap report  

• Access crosstabs 

• Access data 

 

Feedback 

How Can We Grow Michigan’s Population? 

We know how to recruit and retain top talent  

We’ve engaged with tens of thousands of young people across Michigan and the nation to understand how they make decisions about where to put down roots.  

Young people consistently emphasize that affordability, mobility, and community belonging are core factors in deciding where to live. They’re looking for places with attainable housing, walkable and transit-connected neighborhoods, diverse and welcoming communities, and easy access to outdoor recreation and quality healthcare- and they are willing to move to get it.  

About the Feedback

The Michigan Growth Office is tackling the state’s population growth head on. In fall 2023, the team set out to collect honest feedback and ideas from Michiganders that could help grow the population while also uncovering aspects they love and challenges they face. The team traveled to every corner of the state engaging with residents of all backgrounds and perspectives that have been used to create the most robust population growth strategy in Michigan’s history. 

Michiganders from every corner of the state and young people throughout the country have weighed in. The team collected survey responses in-person at events, digitally through social media and newsletters, and national as well as state-level polls.  

Feedback collected has made one thing clear: there is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving this problem. Different communities have different needs. 

Hearing from real residents on real challenges they face in their communities generates real solutions for the Michigan Growth Office to implement. Analyzing and leveraging information collected helps guide future investments and positions Michigan as the most competitive state in the nation to attract new residents while retaining those who already call this great state home.