[actinic]

'Biggest losers, percentage: Ontonagon County, where it's estimated the population fell 15.8 percent from 2000-2009 saw the largest percentage drop in population. Six Upper Peninsula counties were among those with the 10 largest declines by percentage.'

Michigan's census numbers appear ugly, but look again | MLive.com

Let me guess - jobs.

[jeeg]

Ahhhhh...... more breathing room for the rest of us up here. Kidding..... I think.

Jobs, Climate (the long winters), lack of 21st century "excitement"...... take your pick. There's a saying I've read in a book written by a local author, "One of the U.P.'s largest exports is it's children". Been that way for decades.

[michmoldman]

the U.P is not meant to be a place of large population...and thats a good thing.

[Luzette]

Probably the long winters are a big factor. Even here in the LP I'm waiting for spring to come. I know the snow is beautiful, and I do appreciate that about winter. However, it's a long haul for anyone who likes the warmer weather and the other three seasons.

[joemits]

Actually most counties in MI loss population.

[wagonman76]

I read something recently (think it was in the Great Lakes Energy magazine) that said Michigan was the only state to have an overall loss in population over the last 10 years.

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by wagonman76

I read something recently (think it was in the Great Lakes Energy magazine) that said Michigan was the only state to have an overall loss in population over the last 10 years.

yes...mostly due to the auto industry...I would think

[jeeg]

To bad there wasn't a way to give people who leave Michigan an "exit poll" before they leave. Just for curiousities sake.

I know in my extended family (large family) I would say probably 1/4 of them have moved South or West since the early 1980's.
Most of them cited the cold weather as driving them away altho a couple did leave due to jobs/marriage reasons.

But yes, the majority recently are likely due to jobs.

[actinic]

Originally Posted by joemits

Actually most counties in MI loss population.

About 1/2 lost but as the thread title states, 6 of the top 10 in % loss came from the UP.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/cg...9_329374_7.pdf

[joemits]

It will be interesting to see the 2010 count. The % is tricky as we know that the counties with less people will often show a more dramatic result. If Keweenaw County lost 200 people it would show a 10% loss. Low birth rate is also a large factor in these numbers. Look how small families are, either 1,2, or zero kids seem to be the norm. Jobs, slower immigration rates combined with low birth rates are all factors in Michigan's shrinking.