The Associated Press[1] and Detroit Free Press[2] each ranked Michigan's top news stories of 1956 as follows: In the 1950 United States census, Michigan was recorded as having a population of 6,421,000 persons, ranking as the seventh most populous state in the country.

Historic census data from 1940 and 1960 is included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases.

Cities that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.

Historic census data from 1940 and 1960 are included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases.

Counties that are part of the Detroit metropolitan area are shaded in tan.