Census numbers show slight growth in Washtenaw County population
Washtenaw County experienced a meager population growth from 2008 to 2009 - but that was still enough to elevate it to the third highest of any county in Michigan during that period, U.S. Census numbers released today show.
Washtenaw County gained 2,796 residents in 2009 compared to 2008, the numbers show. That pushes the estimated population in the county to 347,563, representing a 0.81 percent increase.
That’s the third-highest growth percentage behind Keweenaw County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Kalamazoo County. Keweenaw County added 32 residents, which was an increase of nearly 1.5 percent of its population. Kalamazoo County saw an increase of 2,250 residents, a 0.91 percent increase.
Washtenaw County increased its population from 2008 to 2009.
In terms of raw numbers, only Oakland County and Kent County had bigger numbers of people moving in, the data shows.
Kent County added 3,592 residents to reach 608,315. Oakland County increased by 3,156 residents to climb to 1,205,508.
Overall, only 21 counties in Michigan showed any growth in population. All but Keweenaw had under 1 percent growth.
Susan Kellam, the relocation director for the Charles Reinhart Company Realtors, said she would estimate that between 80 percent and 85 percent of new Washtenaw County residents are drawn here from other states, not from other Michigan counties. She said that percentage has remained about the same for the last several years.
“Our area continues to be a magnet for highly educated transferees who relish the opportunity to join our local universities," she said. "Many new, start-up companies are attracting new employees to our community. While there has been caution and conservative hiring with many existing companies over the past several years, recent announcements regarding companies relocating to the area are encouraging and exciting.”
Kellam also said not everyone is buying a house when they arrive, with many deciding to rent apartments for the first year or so. She said there’s also been an uptick in senior citizens who are retiring to Ann Arbor.
Wayne County was the biggest loser, shedding 1.2 percent of its population. It led the nation in the category.
Michigan itself remained relatively stable, losing 0.33 percent of its population, or 32,759 residents. That drops Michigan to under 9,969,721 residents.
David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at davidjesse@annarbor.com.
Comments
cinnabar7071
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 11:17 a.m.
Can somebody explain why I should even bother to send my census back in. I don't send my kids to public schools, they mean much more to me then that. I don't rely on the police to protect me I have the same tools they have, plus they take hours to get to you when seconds count. The only services I use that I can think of are, trash collection, and the roads. I really feel they will just waste the money. So why bother?
MyOpinion
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 8:04 a.m.
Not really. The census is mandated so that we have an actual enumeration, but businesses, schools, cities, etc. would be pretty handicapped if they had to wait 10 years to know what was going on in their community/state/region. You are free to ignore these numbers. The rolling census (American Community Survey) provides an estimate of the characteristics of communities on an annual basis, but one is really supposed to use the Population Estimates numbers for any counts.
ThaKillaBee
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 7:43 a.m.
This is sort of like calling a state for a presidential candidate with "0 precincts reporting." At beset, it's an educated guess, not hard numbers, and in my opinion is irresponsible to use.
MyOpinion
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 7:35 a.m.
The Census Bureau has a Population Estimates program: http://www.census.gov/popest/estimates.html The estimates are based on vital statistics records (birth and death certificates) and estimates of net migration and immigration. The latter two are dicier. The US is not a registration country so when someone moves from Michigan to Texas they do not register that move. Most demographers project that Michigan will be losing a Congressional seat. The census numbers, by law, are reported to Congress on December 31, 2010. So go ahead and turn in your census form. The data will be used.
murph
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 6:53 a.m.
These are estimates, yes. Here is the original press release from the Census Bureau on these numbers: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/014632.html The Census Bureau releases annual estimates based on two sources: * The "American Community Survey" has replaced the long-form Census with a rolling sample - rather than send a long-form survey to 1 in 6 households every 10 years, they do a smaller sample annually, and do cumulative results. More info here: http://factfinder.census.gov/jsp/saff/SAFFInfo.jsp?_pageId=sp1_acs&_submenuId= * The Census Bureau also uses "administrative records, such as births, deaths, and domestic and international migration", as mentioned in the release linked above, to estimate population change at the County/metropolitan level.
Ren Farley
Wed, Mar 24, 2010 : 6:52 a.m.
The data in this story come from the Census Bureau's estimates of Michigan's population by county as of July 1, 2009. Population counts of Michigan's counties in Census 2010 will be released no later than April 1, 2011. Michigan will certainly lose one seat in Congress and the Electoral College because of the Census 2010 census count. There is almost no chance that Michigan will either lose two seats in the Electoral College or retain all the seats the state now has.
CynicA2
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 10:21 p.m.
Unless we know what percentage of this gain resulted from births, as opposed to those moving here from elsewhere, these numbers are not very meaningful, as ferdcom noted. Since the census is a work in progress, these numbers are probably "estimates" - and they sound kind of overly optimistic.
ferdcom
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 8:32 p.m.
Your story says data shows Oakland and Kent counties had greater numbers of people moving in, but the only data reported by you is population increase which is function of births, deaths, people moving in and people moving out. There is no way to determine from the data shown which counties had the most people moving in.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 8:25 p.m.
yes, how can this be true? the very first question asks, "how many people WERE living at this household on april 1, 2010?" or something like that. keyword = WERE it's not 'were' yet
FifT7
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 8:25 p.m.
I assume the US Census Bureau produces "estimates" on the population every year. However, I wonder how long it will take them to publish the "actual" 2010 numbers. Will it be in 2011, 2012 or later? There will probably be a challenge or two somewhere along the line, and recounts maybe in order. Eventually, several years down the road and billions of dollars later, we might just know whether their "estimates" were anywhere near reality. But alas, by that time, no one will care. And, we will just bump along with the Bureau's annual "estimates" once again, while we get ready for the 2020 census.
Julie
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 8:01 p.m.
The census forms aren't even due yet! The count is April 1.????
swcornell
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 7:58 p.m.
How could they be using new Census numbers. I just mailed mine yesterday?
Tom Joad
Tue, Mar 23, 2010 : 7:24 p.m.
What are the chances Michigan may lose Congressional representation? I'd say pretty damn good.