Less Populated Counties of Michigan Had a Higher Share of Veterans in 2022

This Map of the Month focuses on the proportion of veterans in each of Michigan's 83 counties, using data from the 2022 American Community Survey five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. According to the data, nearly 500,000, or 6.3 percent, of Michigan’s civilian population age 18 and older are veterans. The percent share of veterans in a county’s population varies widely in Michigan. The county with the greatest percentage share of veterans was Keweenaw County at 15.8 percent, followed by Ontonagon and Alcona with 15.0 percent and 14.0 percent, respectively. Interestingly, these counties with the greatest percent share of veterans are also some of Michigan’s counties with the lowest population levels. Keweenaw County ranked 83rd lowest in total population, while Ontonagon and Alcona ranked 81st and 75th.

Conversely, Washtenaw and Oakland counties, the sixth and second largest in population, have the lowest veteran representation of 4.3 percent and 4.8 percent, respectively. Ingham and Allegan counties each have a 5 percent veteran representation, with Ingham being the seventh and Allegan the 18th largest in Michigan. Counties with large populations tend to have a lower percent share of veterans, however, nearly one in three Michigan veterans live in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

Veterans compose a larger portion of the population in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. 

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