East Lansing’s population grew by about 2,000 during the last decade, according to data from the U.S. 2010 Census released Tuesday.
The data shows a jump to 48,579 from 46,603 between 2000 and last year, a 4.2 percent increase. Michigan’s population as a whole shrank from about 9.93 million to 9.88 million during the same span.
Michigan was one of the last states to receive detailed census data. It also was the only state in the U.S. to see a population decrease.
Census data is used by the state Legislature to redraw state and congressional district lines to reflect population changes. The population drop means Michigan will lose a seat in the U.S. House.
Analysts have said one of the Detroit districts is likely to face elimination, an assertion backed up by the city’s population decrease of more than 713,000.
Support student media! Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
