Michigan

Michigan is the eighth most populous U.S. state, with just over 10 million residents as of 2008. The population is predominantly Caucasian (over 80 percent), including a significant population of Arabic descent in the Grand Rapids area who migrated to the United States early in the 20th century to work in the auto industry. African Americans are the largest minority group and are a majority in Detroit and several other industrial cities. The largest religious group is Roman Catholic.

In 2007, the median household income in Michigan was $47,950, ranking 26th among U.S. states, and average annual pay was 15th highest among states at $43,141. Michigan ranked third highest in home ownership at 76.4 percent. This income was unevenly distributed, however, resulting in extremes of wealth ...