LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – As Michiganders gear up to celebrate Independence Day, a new study from WalletHub suggests the Great Lakes State may not be quite as self-reliant as its gritty reputation implies.
In WalletHub’s 2025 ranking of the Most and Least Independent States, Michigan came in at a lowly #41 out of 50, landing it among the ten most dependent states in the nation.
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The rankings were based on five key areas of dependency: financial, government, job-market, international trade, and personal vices. Despite scoring a respectable 19th in financial independence, Michigan was dragged down by poor showings in several other categories:
- Job-Market Dependency: 37th
- Government Dependency: 28th
- International Trade Dependency: 44th
- Vice Dependency: 32nd
The state’s reliance on global trade, struggling job market, and dependency on vices such as gambling and substance abuse all contributed to its low overall score.
While some may point to Michigan’s strong manufacturing base and economic recovery efforts, the data paints a different picture: one of a state that, despite its resilience, remains heavily reliant on outside forces – from Washington to worldwide markets.
So as fireworks light up the sky this Fourth of July, Michigan residents might want to reflect not just on national independence – but on the work still needed to reclaim their own.
