The Associated Press (AP) selected the top news stories of 1974 in Michigan as follows:[1] The AP also selected the state's top sports stories of 1974 as follows:[2] The year's highlights in Michigan music included the releases of Stevie Wonder's Fulfillingness' First Finale which reached #1 and won the Grammy for Album of the Year, Grand Funk Railroad's Shinin' On album with the #1 hit The Loco-Motion, and Aretha Franklin's Let Me in Your Life album that reached #1 on Billboard's R&B albums chart.

Historic census data from 1960 and 1980 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 1960 and 1980 are included to reflect trends in population increases or decreases.

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