Population Trends and Labor Market Outcomes of Michigan's Hispanic or Latino Population

At the time of publication, 2023 1-year estimates from the American Community Survey were available at the statewide level. County level analysis is based on 2022 5-year estimates, and new data will be released on December 12.

Michigan’s Hispanic or Latino population has become an increasingly prominent group across the state in the last decade. Several topics highlight the experiences of this population, with growth, poverty, and employment being three key factors.

Population and Labor Force

Nearly 600,000 individuals in Michigan are Hispanic or Latino, representing 6 percent of the total statewide population. This is far below the national level at nearly one-fifth (19.4 percent) of the population. While the share of the Hispanic population is smaller in Michigan than in the U.S., it has grown at a faster rate than it has nationally. Overall, the Hispanic population in Michigan has increased by 28.6 percent since 2013. This represents a gain of roughly 133,100 Hispanic individuals, while Michigan’s total population grew by 141,600 people between 2013 and 2023.

In Michigan, the Hispanic share of the civilian labor force 16 and older was just 5.9 percent in 2023, significantly below the national rate of 19.2 percent. Notably, Michigan’s civilian labor force was only 4.3 percent Hispanic in 2013, showing that the Hispanic community is becoming more important to the state’s labor force. 

In 2022, the county with the largest total population of Hispanic individuals was also, unsurprisingly, the most populous in the state, Wayne County. This county had more than 111,000 Hispanic residents, which equated to 21 percent of the total statewide Hispanic population.

The Hispanic or Latino Population in Michigan has grown by nearly 29 percent since 2013.

Percent Change in Hispanic or Latino Population from 2013, Michigan and United States

*Only experimental estimates available from Census Bureau for 2020

Source: 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau

Poverty and Earnings

In 2023, 18.2 percent of the Hispanic or Latino population in Michigan fell below the poverty line compared to 13.5 percent of the general Michigan population. Hispanic individuals earned, on average, approximately 90 cents per every dollar the white non-Hispanic population made in 2023.

Northern and Mid-Michigan counties had the greatest disparities, with Clare, Crawford, and Luce Counties having over 50 percent of their Hispanic populations falling below the poverty line in 2022.

Hispanic or Latino individuals faced a poverty rate of over 50 percent in Clare, Crawford, and Luce counties.

Hispanic or Latino Poverty Percentages by County, 2022

Source: 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, U.S. Census Bureau

Conclusion

Michigan’s Hispanic or Latino population has been growing at a faster rate than the nation over the past 10 years. Despite this growth, the Hispanic population only represented 6 percent of Michigan’s overall population in 2023, which was lower than the national share of 19.4 percent. Along with population growth comes increased representation in the labor force with Hispanic workers measuring 5.9 percent in 2023. However, Hispanic communities have continued to experience disparities in terms of education, earnings, and poverty rates compared to Michigan’s general population. Overall, Michigan’s Hispanic population continues to grow and support the labor force through several essential industries.

For more information on industries and occupations and the Hispanic or Latino community, please read Hispanics in Michigan Industries and Occupations.