Economy Makes Michiganders Antsy

Almost half (45%) of the 600 Michigan residents who responded to the most recent Brogan survey said they would be willing to move to another state if given the chance. If that number looks high, further digging shows that a whopping 70% of the state’s 18-24 year olds and 62% of Detroit residents would hit the trail too, if they could.

Why the urge to pack? One reason seems to be related to a growing distrust of Michigan’s economy. In fact, an overwhelming majority (83%) of survey respondents believed Michigan’s economy to be worse off than the nation’s, and even more (86%) survey respondents felt that Michigan is on the wrong track in terms of repairing it.

These results are alarming and should raise eyebrows about Michigan’s future. As Marcie Brogan put it, “[These results raise] serious concerns about losing many of our best and brightest. A loss of their energy and talent could haunt Michigan for a generation were it to happen.”

What do you think is the reason for this dissatisfaction? Do you think it is correlated to a growing distrust in the economy, or do you think it is an outcome of a highly mobile and itinerant demographic?