Census Counts in Properly Funding Michigan Communities
The 2020 Census is upon us and cities need to prepare. Having an accurate Census count is essential to Michigan communities, and therefore, essential to the SaveMICity initiative, in multiple ways.
The Census population counts, for example, have major implications for how an estimated $675 billion is distributed to state and local governments each year.
In addition, redistricting of legislative districts and enforcement of statutes affecting voting rights rely on decennial Census data.
And the decennial Census has a major effect on cities, and local leaders can play a significant role in its success.
Municipalities can encourage employees and residents to participate by doing the following:
1. Inform them that the census is convenient. It can be done through the mail, by phone, or online.
2. Inform them that the census is confidential. Individual data is protected for 72 years.
3. Link to the census questionnaire on your website. View a sample of the 9-question Census questionnaire here.
4. Share information through social media channels and newsletters.
5. Host spaces where people can access computers and/or the internet to complete the census.
The SaveMICity initiative’s underlying message is we need to have strong vibrant cities and communities to have a strong state that attracts and retains talents, creates jobs, and ultimately grows in population. But having vibrant communities is very difficult under the state’s current system for funding our cities. This system is broken and must be fixed. But having accurate Census counts and accurately showing our state’s population growth is part of this as well.
Michigan stands to lose $1,800 per person, per year in federal funds for every resident not counted. That’s some serious money that adds up quickly to the detriment of our residents and communities.
The Michigan Municipal League is extremely involved in informing our members and Michigan residents about the Census and its importance. Please help us in spreading the word.
Here are some great resource pages for you to review and share:
Michigan Municipal League Census information page
2020 Census Toolkit for State and Local Officials – U.S. Census Bureau
SEMCOG Census information page: and related media tool kit
Sample Michigan community Census pages:
