A report from Comerica Banks forecasts Michigan’s economy to grow moderately in 2025. // Stock photo
Michigan’s economy is forecast to grow moderately in 2025 at a pace roughly around the same as in 2024, according to a study by economists at Comerica Bank.
Although the state’s economy made gains in 2024, the averages masked “big” fluctuations during the year.
“Michigan’s unemployment rate rose to the highest in nearly three years in the fall of 2024 as motor vehicle and parts manufacturers cut jobs,” says Bill Adams, senior vice president and chief economist at Comerica Bank. “We project that real GDP growth will have slowed in the second half of 2024 but should stabilize and pick up over the next 12 months.”
Manufacturing business sentiment has risen since the election, the economists state, boosted by expectations for higher tariffs that will protect manufacturers from foreign competition. Also, high interest rates and consumer prices, which dragged on the Great Lakes State’s economy in the past few years, will be less of a headwind in 2025.
Payroll growth is anticipated to reaccelerate as 2025 progresses, Comerica says. Michigan’s unemployment rate should come back down in the second half of 2025 and average 4.1 percent for the year, same as in 2024.
“Personal income is forecast to grow solidly and outpace inflation, boosting real incomes and consumption,” Adams says.
Residential construction is set to gain further steam in 2025. Michigan continues to have among the most affordable housing in the nation. This, plus rising homebuilder confidence, should deliver another robust year for single-family construction, adding an additional 17,000 units to housing supply.
Multifamily growth will likely be slower. Michigan’s rental vacancy rate is elevated, slightly above the national average, and lending standards for multifamily construction loans have tightened since 2022 as the Fed raised rates. Multifamily construction likely will hold steady in 2025. Reflecting continuing tight existing home listings, house prices are forecast to rise solidly again in 2025.
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