The Detroit News
Nolan Finley
Dec. 10, 2025
Perhaps it’s a blessing the people of Michigan don’t realize they live in a poor state. If they fully understood how much money their politicians and policymakers have kept out of their wallets they might dismantle the state Capitol brick-by-brick.
In a recent survey, voters who said they were likely to vote in next year’s election were asked where they believed Michigan ranked among the 50 states in per-capita income. Against all statistical evidence, two-thirds said over the past 25 years its status had either moved up in the rankings or remained the same.
Only 23% got the right answer: Since the year 2000, Michigan’s household income has fallen to 40th in the nation from 16th, and is now 13% below the national average. If the trend continues on pace, Michigan will eventually rank 48th, ahead of just Alabama and Mississippi. It reflects a policy preference that favors the old economy over the new.