Michigan is largely a state of single-family wood-frame houses, with about 36 percent built before 1960 and brick common in older cities such as Detroit and Grand Rapids. Most homes have basements with poured concrete or block walls, and condos and manufactured homes are smaller shares.

median year homes were built: 1972; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 17.5%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 35.6%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 76.6%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 13.7%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 5%; mobile homes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (tables B25035, B25034, B25024)

Common wall types

Wood-frame stud walls

Where: Interior partitions and exterior walls in most houses built since the mid-20th century.

Mounting: Studs are typically 16 inches on center. Lag the mount into at least two studs; use a stud finder and confirm with a small pilot hole before drilling.

Plaster on lath

Where: Older houses and bungalows in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint and historic districts.

Mounting: Plaster is brittle over wood lath. Find studs, pre-drill slowly and use toggle bolts when a stud is not available.

Brick exteriors and masonry walls

Where: Older brick bungalows and two-story houses in Detroit and other cities, plus brick veneer on newer houses.

Mounting: Brick veneer over a wood-frame wall means the interior is still drywall on studs, so anchor into the studs. Solid brick walls need masonry anchors into the brick.

Basement block or poured concrete

Where: Most Michigan houses have basements; older homes may have stone or block foundations, while newer ones use poured concrete.

Mounting: Mount into solid concrete or block face shells, not furring strips or mortar joints. Check for moisture and efflorescence before finishing or mounting on a below-grade wall.

Manufactured and lightly framed homes

Where: Rural areas and manufactured home communities across the state.

Mounting: Panels are thin and studs may be spaced wider, so the mount must hit framing; heavy mounts may need added blocking.

Concrete and metal-stud apartments

Where: Apartment and condo buildings in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids.

Mounting: Use concrete anchors and a hammer drill on concrete and toggle-style anchors on metal studs; check lease or association rules.

Tips before you mount

Basement block or poured concrete: use 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve or wedge anchors with a hammer drill, drilling into the solid face shell of block or poured concrete rather than mortar joints or hollow cores where possible.
Stud walls: studs are usually 16" on center. Lag the mount into at least two studs with 5/16" lag bolts, typically about 2.5" to 3" long. A full-motion arm puts much more leverage on the wall than a flat mount, so it needs studs or masonry and should never hang on drywall anchors alone.
Metal studs and plaster: use toggle bolts or snap toggles rated for the TV and mount weight, or have wood blocking added behind the wall. Plaster can crack if drilled carelessly, so locate framing first and pre-drill slowly.
Hiding wires: the National Electrical Code (NEC 400.12) does not allow a regular TV power cord to be concealed inside a wall. Use an in-wall rated recessed power kit, and choose low-voltage cable rated CL2 or CL3 for in-wall HDMI and speaker runs. Where walls are solid masonry, plan on a paintable surface raceway instead.
Over a fireplace: heat rising from a working fireplace can exceed a TV's operating limits, so check the manufacturer's specs, use a deep mantel or a pull-down mount, and never mount on a stone or brick surround without confirming it is solid and anchoring into it correctly. For three-season porches and decks, use an outdoor-rated TV and stainless-steel hardware, and protect connections from moisture and freeze-thaw cycles; unrated indoor TVs can fail in cold or humid conditions.
Condos and apartments: ask the association or landlord whether drilling is allowed, and get the installer's certificate of insurance (COI) naming the association before work day.
Before work starts, tell the installer the wall type (studs, plaster, brick, block or concrete), the TV size and weight, the mount type and whether wires need to be hidden. These change the anchors, labor time and price.

Sources: Census Reporter, ACS 2024 1-year: Michigan (B25035, B25034, B25024) · Acculevel: Michigan basement repairs · Angi: Basement waterproofing in Detroit (older stone and block foundations). General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.