2020 U.S. Census Data
/U.S. Census Releases First Dataset for 2020 Population
In August, the Census Bureau released their first dataset from the 2020 Census population count. Every 10 years, the Census Bureau takes a count of all U.S. residents. The census is used to determine representation in congress, where district boundaries are drawn, and planning for roads, schools, and emergency services. Population data is crucial to the work we do at WATS, not only because it helps us better understand how communities are growing but also because population data is used to determine what areas are considered urban versus rural, which in turn determines what type of federal transportation grants communities are eligible for.
The dataset that was released in August provides several pieces of information, including total population by race and hispanic origin, the voting age population, and number of household units (occupied versus vacant). The data is available for all geographic areas and can be viewed by census tract or block groups, community, school district, or county. Of course, the data isn’t perfect. In 2020, door-knocking follow-ups by census field workers was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The political atmosphere made some hard-to-count populations even more reluctant to participate. And then in September 2020, the Census Bureau cut it’s schedule for data collection a month short. These challenges were all problematic because they may have resulted in missing more people, especially hard-to-count populations.
Washtenaw County Among the Fastest Growing Counties in Michigan
Let’s dig into the data a little. Out of Michigan’s 83 counties, Washtenaw County ranks number five in the state and number one in Southeast Michigan for the highest percent change in population since the 2010 census count. Washtenaw County experienced 8% growth since 2010, growing by 27,467 residents for a total population of 372,258. The state of Michigan saw an overall increase of 2%.
The City of Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township, and Ypsilanti Township had the most growth by number of residents. Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County’s biggest city, grew by 8.7%, or 9,917 residents, to reach a total population of 123,851. This makes Ann Arbor one of Michigan’s top-five populated cities, moving ahead of Lansing. Pittsfield Township grew by 12.9%, or 4,484 residents, to reach a total population of 39,147. Ypsilanti Township grew by 4.3%, or 2,308 residents, to reach a total population of 55,670.
Other areas with major percentage increases throughout Washtenaw County included:
Salem Township - 24.7% to 7,018 residents
Lima Township - 21.7% to 4,024 residents
Saline Township - 20.1% to 2,277 residents
Sylvan Township - 16.9% to 3,311 residents
Superior Township - 13.6% to 14,832 residents
Dexter Township - 10.8% to 6,696 residents
City of Chelsea - 10.6% to 5,467 residents
City of Dexter - 10.6% to 4,500 residents
Interested in learning more? SEMCOG’s 2020 Census interactive map tool is a great way to check out the census results for Southeast Michigan. You can also learn more about the 2020 Census results here.
