Michigan: elevation, cities and highest point
Michigan has 10,127,884 people (2025) and 83 counties. Its highest point is Mount Arvon, at 1,979 ft, and its lowest, Lake Erie, at 571 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 10,127,884
- The 10th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 56,613 sq mi
- The 22nd largest state
- Counties
- 83
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 571 ft
- Lake Erie
Map of Michigan’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Lansing, sits at 853 ft (260 m): the 17th highest of the 50 state capitals. Michigan’s highest point, Mount Arvon, is 329 mi away in a straight line and 1,126 ft higher.
Between its highest point (1,979 ft) and its lowest (571 ft) there’s 1,408 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Michigan’s is the 38th highest.
Michigan has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Lansing, at 853 ft, and the lowest is Detroit, at 598 ft: 255 ft apart.
Michigan borders 3 states. Their highest points are Campbell Hill, in Ohio (1,550 ft), Timms Hill, in Wisconsin (1,951 ft), and Hoosier Hill, in Indiana (1,257 ft): Michigan’s is the highest of the 4. Their capitals: Columbus (780 ft), Madison (875 ft), and Indianapolis (730 ft).
- Mount Arvon 1,979 ft
- Lansing 853 ft
- Detroit 598 ft
Population
Michigan had 10,127,884 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 0.5% more than in April 2020 (10,079,362). Across 56,613 sq mi of land, that’s 179 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Detroit, with 649,095 people. The Census counts 745 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Michigan.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | 649,095 | 139 sq mi | 598 ft |
| Grand Rapids | 201,183 | 44.8 sq mi | — |
| Warren | 137,138 | 34.4 sq mi | — |
| Sterling Heights | 133,931 | 36.4 sq mi | — |
| Ann Arbor | 122,233 | 28.4 sq mi | — |
| Lansing | 113,884 | 39.4 sq mi | 853 ft |
| Dearborn | 105,611 | 24.2 sq mi | — |
| Livonia | 92,603 | 35.7 sq mi | — |
| Troy | 88,733 | 33.4 sq mi | — |
| Farmington Hills | 83,291 | 33.3 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Michigan?
Mount Arvon, at 1,979 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 38th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Michigan?
Lake Erie, at 571 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Lansing, the capital?
853 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 17th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Michigan?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Lansing, at 853 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Michigan have?
83, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know