State Rankings and Awards | Michigan Business

How Michigan Compares...

The state of Michigan continues to be a prime state for entrepreneurs, growing businesses, and families young and old. See how the great lakes state competes with neighboring states and beyond.

#1 State

for fastest FDI jobs growth – Global Business Alliance

#2 State

for most recovered economy from COVID-19 - Credible.com

#3 State

for Sustainable Development - 2021 Site Selection's Sustainability Rankings

Top 10 State

Site Selection’s 2022 Prosperity Cup for business climate

State Acclaimed Recognitions

In addition to 2021’s Golden Shovel Award for manufacturing, Michigan has received Area Development’s Silver Shovel Award (8-12 million population) for the last five years running. Michigan was also awarded Business Facilities’ 2019 Deal of the Year Gold Award for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (now Stellantis) expansion.

Additional Rankings:

Manufacturing

#1 ranking in Automotive Manufacturing (Business Facilities)
#4 in Manufacturing Output percentage of GNP (Business Facilities)
#4 in Manufacturing Employment (Business Facilities)

Business

#7 ranking in Site-Readiness Programs (Area Development Top Business States)
#11 ranking in America's Top States for Business 2021 (CNBC)
#12 ranking in 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index (Tax Foundation)
#12 ranking in 2021 Top States for Business Climate Rankings (Site Selection)
#14 ranking in 2022 Top States for Doing Business (Area Development)

Workforce Development

#1 State for energy-sector job growth (U.S. Energy and Employment Jobs Report)
#4 State in East North Central Region for 2021 Workforce Development Rankings (Site Selection)
#8 Best state to start a career (BestColleges)
#8 State in America's Best Employers for New Grads 2022 (Forbes)
#8 State for health care jobs (Business Facilities magazine's 2021 state rankings)
#11 State for net tech employment (2020 CompTIA Cyberstates report)

Regional/Metro Acclaimed Recognitions

Ann Arbor - #1 for Best Health Care Hubs

Ann Arbor - #1 Best Place to Live in America

Detroit - #2 for Best Business Climate (large metro area)

Grand Rapids - #3 for Business Climate (mid-sized)

Detroit - TIME's World's Greatest Places of 2022

Traverse City - #9 for Small Business Employment in Small Metro Areas

Detroit - #1 Emerging Startup Ecosystem

Grand Rapids - #9 for Small Business Employment in Large Metro Areas

Quality of Life

Six Michigan Cities Recognized in Top 100 Best Places to Live

Six Michigan cities have been featured in Livability’s Top 100 Best Places to Live 2022. From Ann Arbor to Grand Rapids Michigan has become a top place to live when it comes to affordability, amenities, and opportunities.

Grand Rapids #1 Best Place to Raise a Family

Rocket Homes teamed up with BestPlaces.net to find some of the best locations to raise a family. With its abundance of opportunities for kids to engage in culture, history, art and nature, Grand Rapids ranked in the #1 spot.

Kalamazoo #1 Coolest City in the U.S. with the Lowest Cost of Living

Purewow.com ranked the Top 10 Coolest Most Affordable Cities in the U.S. for 2022. When comparing entertainment, food and drinks, arts and culture, as well as affordability, Kalamazoo came in at the #1 spot with having it all.

Traverse City Ranked in Top Places to Visit in 2022

From blissful beaches, summer sunbathing and water sports to snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat-tire biking - no matter the season, Matador Network names Traverse City a top place to visit in 2022.

Grand Rapids #2 in Top 10 Remote Ready Cities in the U.S.

Whether you’re looking for a downtown loft or a sprawling backyard, see why Livability ranked Grand Rapids #2 for perfect place to put down roots while also enjoying your remote work freedom.

Ann Arbor #6 for Best Places to live in the U.S.

Culling data from the U.S. Department of Education, the Census Bureau, and the FBI, Ann Arbor ranks as one of the best cities to raise a family in America accoridng to Niche.com. The city has some of the best public schools in the country, plus affordable home prices and a high employment rate.

Charlevoix as one of “The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2021”

Ranked as one of “The 15 Best Small Towns to Visit in 2021” by Smithsonian Magazine, this scenic town sits right on the banks of Round Lake and the Pine River, a natural harbor and channel that together connect the turquoise blue waters of Lake Charlevoix with Lake Michigan.

Petoskey ranked as one of “Best Small Towns in the Midwest”

Ranked as one of “Best Small Towns in the Midwest” by Travel + Leisure, this cute waterfront town sits near the "tip of the Mitt'' in the northern reaches of the Lower Peninsula.

Michigan Awards and Rankings

State Acclaimed Recognitions