70% of young people, 62% of Detroiters would leave state if they could
[Birmingham, MI] – Michigan’s economic woes seem to be taking a toll on the morale of Michiganders and could lead to a serious brain drain if young people leave the state as they’d like to, according to survey results released today by Brogan & Partners, a Birmingham-based marketing firm that conducts the statewide Brogan Survey.
The 600-person telephone poll asked adults “If you had the opportunity to leave Michigan and move to another state, would you?” While 45% of those surveyed said they would leave Michigan, that number included 70% of 18-24 year-olds and 62% of Detroiters.
“Our survey found a steady progression under which desire to leave the state increased as age decreased. In other words, while only 25% of people over age 65 would leave, over 50% of those under age 44 would leave, including 70.3% of 18-24 year olds,” said Marcie Brogan, CEO of Brogan & Partners. “57.1% of African Americans would leave the state if they could, and 62% of Detroiters would. That raises serious concerns about losing many of our best and brightest; a loss of their energy and talent could haunt Michigan for a generation were it to happen.”
The results seem to reflect a larger frustration with the state’s economy. The survey of Michigan adults also found that:
- 86% of respondents say the state is on the wrong track. (In contrast, Brogan survey results of North Carolina residents on an identical question were 33.8% “wrong track”);
- 83% of respondents say the economy is worse than the nation’s. (In North Carolina, that number was 34.8%);
- 47.5% of Michiganders plan to spend less this holiday season while only 7% plan to spend more;
- 52.3% of Michigan residents indicated they are postponing spending due to gas prices; and,
- 20% of Michigan homeowners surveyed indicated that they are struggling to make their mortgage payment. That figure rose to nearly 40% among African-American respondents and to 30% among those who live in the City of Detroit.
“Our clients ask us to help them communicate with their customers and prospects,” said Brogan. “In order to do that well, we need to understand the mood of Michigan so we can frame messages within that context. Unfortunately, that mood isn’t particularly upbeat today. I personally remain hopeful that these numbers will improve over the coming months.”
The Brogan Survey is a 600-sample, random digit dial Michigan general population survey, stratified by geography, ethnicity and gender. The live telephone survey was conducted from September 24-26, 2007 and has margin of error of +/- 4.0% with a confidence level of 95%. Questions in The Brogan Survey were not commissioned by any candidate, organization or company. The survey was conducted by Brogan & Partners research affiliate The Glengariff Group, Inc., of Chicago.
Brogan & Partners Convergence Marketing, established in 1984, specializes in advertising, PRIZM®-based media, public relations, digital and diversity marketing. The firm has offices in Detroit metro and Raleigh, service offices in Washington D.C. and Florida and an affiliate in Chicago.
