Census data shows significant decline in Detroit population, city now at 713,000 people

DETROIT (WXYZ) - Census data shows that Detroit has suffered a drastic decline in population since the 2000 census, dropping below 715,000 people for the first time since 1910-1920.

Declining 25% since the 2000 census, figures show that currently 713,777 people live in the city. That represents a drop of almost 160,000 people since 2006 and a decline of more than a million people since the city’s high of more than 1.8 million people in the 1950s.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Dave Bing said that he didn't believe the number and that it would not hold up once the city appeals because of the city's history of being undercounted. Bing said, "We can't afford to let these results stand."

The city has until June 13, 2013 to file its appeal, but Bing said that the city is working on it now.

An early estimate by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments had reported Detroit’s population at about 762,000 residents.

Two other cities in the metro Detroit area are also in the most populous communities in Michigan: Warren with 134,056 people and Sterling Heights with 129,699 people. Those numbers represent a 3% decrease for Warren and a 4.2% increase for Sterling Heights.

In terms of counties in metro Detroit:

• Wayne County has a population of 1,820,584 – a 11.7% decrease
• Oakland County has a population of 1,202,362 – a .7% increase
• Macomb County has a population of 840,978 – a 6.7% increase

Federal funding could be impacted by the population decline. We already know Michigan is losing one congressional seat based on statewide numbers released late last year.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder released the following statement on the census figures:

“The census figures clearly show how crucial it is to reinvent Michigan. It is time for all of us to realign our expectations so that they reflect today’s realities. We cannot cling to the old ways of doing business. This is why my administration has aggressively laid out an agenda based on fiscal discipline, meaningful tax reform and regional cooperation.

“These strategies are essential if we are to reverse the negative population trends. We cannot successfully transition to the ‘New Michigan’ if young, talented workers leave our state. By the same token, Michigan will not succeed if Detroit and other major cities don’t succeed. We all must be partners in Michigan’s reinvention.

“I told a group of high school students yesterday the problems we face as a state should have been fixed years ago and that I will not leave them unsolved for future generations to deal with. This data reinforces just how urgent that task is so that our high school and college graduates can find jobs and lead successful, productive lives in Michigan.

“The consequences of accepting the status quo are apparent in these trends. Losing our best and brightest young adults to other states, or failing to rejuvenate our urban areas, are not acceptable options. Fundamental change is needed and we will achieve that by working together with relentless positive action. The challenges posed by these census numbers will be met. We will use these census trends as guideposts as we implement new, collaborate approaches that move our state forward.”

A LOOK AT THE NUMBERS PROVIDED BY WXYZ'S LEGISLATIVE SOURCES:

Geographic Area : Total population

City of Detroit 713,777
Alcona County 10,942
Alger County 9,601
Allegan County 111,408
Alpena County 29,598
Antrim County 23,580
Arenac County 15,899
Baraga County 8,860
Barry County 59,173
Bay County 107,771
Benzie County 17,525
Berrien County 156,813
Branch County 45,248
Calhoun County 136,146
Cass County 52,293
Charlevoix County 25,949
Cheboygan County 26,152
Chippewa County 38,520
Clare County 30,926
Clinton County 75,382
Crawford County 14,074
Delta County 37,069
Dickinson County 26,168
Eaton County 107,759
Emmet County 32,694
Genesee County 425,790
Gladwin County 25,692
Gogebic County 16,427
Grand Traverse County 86,986
Gratiot County 42,476
Hillsdale County 46,688
Houghton County 36,628
Huron County 33,118
Ingham County 280,895
Ionia County 63,905
Iosco County 25,887
Iron County 11,817
Isabella County 70,311
Jackson County 160,248
Kalamazoo County 250,331
Kalkaska County 17,153
Kent County 602,622
Keweenaw County 2,156
Lake County 11,539
Lapeer County 88,319
Leelanau County 21,708
Lenawee County 99,892
Livingston County 180,967
Luce County 6,631
Mackinac County 11,113
Macomb County 840,978
Manistee County 24,733
Marquette County 67,077
Mason County 28,705
Mecosta County 42,798
Menominee County 24,029
Midland County 83,629
Missaukee County 14,849
Monroe County 152,021
Montcalm County 63,342
Montmorency County 9,765
Muskegon County 172,188
Newaygo County 48,460
Oakland County 1,202,362
Oceana County 26,570
Ogemaw County 21,699
Ontonagon County 6,780
Osceola County 23,528
Oscoda County 8,640
Otsego County 24,164
Ottawa County 263,801
Presque Isle County 13,376
Roscommon County 24,449
Saginaw County 200,169
St. Clair County 163,040
St. Joseph County