E.L population rises, Michigan on the mend

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Months of anticipation gave way to relief Tuesday when data from the 2010 U.S. Census showed East Lansing grew by an estimated 2,000 people during the past decade.

The official count, issued as part of a detailed report outlining Michigan demographics, revealed the city’s population as 48,579, up from 2000’s count of 46,525.

By contrast, Michigan’s overall population decreased by about 54,000. It was the only decrease among all 50 states and likely will cost the state valuable federal dollars for projects and other programs.

East Lansing’s results were met with marked enthusiasm by city leaders, who credited new housing developments, such as West Village off Hillcrest Avenue, and quality city services as reasons contributing to the increase.

“It’s very positive, it’s very good news,” Mayor Vic Loomis said of the increase. “I think it’s an indication that the city does have a plan and that the city is reasonably effective in making that plan happen.”

It helps, too, that MSU’s total student enrollment throughout the decade has risen.
Data from the university’s Office of the Registrar shows 43,366 undergraduate and graduate students were enrolled in fall semester 2000. Last semester, 47,131 were enrolled. Granted, censuses are conducted during the spring, but City Manager Ted Staton acknowledged the tandem growth of the city and university.

“Obviously, a bigger university contributes to a greater population,” Staton said, also crediting “a decade or more of trying to make East Lansing a vibrant, more urban place to attract people” with reasons for growth.

Some of the implications of a larger population manifest themselves financially, Staton said. One such instance helps the city accrue more money in constitutional revenue sharing, or money given to East Lansing annually by the state under Michigan’s constitution.

City leaders are wary of proposals by Gov. Rick Snyder to eliminate another form of revenue sharing they say could lead to tough decisions, such as cuts to city police and fire services. Statutory revenue sharing differs from constitutional in that legislation typically is passed to reimburse municipalities in exchange for the state collecting gas, sales and other taxes.

East Lansing is set to receive $1.8 million in revenue sharing this year. An indeterminate
portion of that amount likely could be regained through an incentivized program introduced by Snyder to encourage cities to share services and implement other cost-effective measures.

For now, though, leaders are content with news of a population increase. City Councilmember Nathan Triplett lauded efforts by a committee of city officials, residents and students to ensure a large turnout for the census.

That goal was accomplished, as census figures show 79 percent of city residents participated in the count. In 2000, participation stood at 73 percent. National and state participation stood at 74 percent and 78 percent, respectively.

“A growing population during these difficult economic times especially is something our community should be proud of,” Triplett said, adding the city this past year began counting MSU students early on because the demographic typically is difficult to count.

For advertising senior Andrea Rottman, though, news of the population increase was not surprising because of the extensive efforts to reach students.

“I feel like maybe it’s skewed because in the past, not as many people filled it out,” she said.
Staff writer Alethia Kasben contributed to this report.

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