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April 1, 2001Native American numbers on riseCensus reveals marked increase in Leelanau, ManisteeBy BILL ECHLINRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Native Americans in northwest Lower Michigan are still a very small minority, between 1.2 percent and 2.2 percent depending on how you count them, but their numbers are growing faster than the overall population. The U.S. Census Bureau changed its headcount system for the 2000 census, for the first time allowing people to indicate more than one racial or ethnic background. In the past they were asked to pick one of five major racial categories that was most fitting for them. That makes comparisons with past years something of a problem. Under the new system, people could fall into 63 unique combinations of racial and ethnic backgrounds. Going on the basis of those who chose to identify themselves as Native American without picking any other racial or ethnic background, the region's Native American population grew 32 percent between 1990 and 2000, a much faster rate than the overall population growth rate of 22 percent. If you consider anyone who picked Native American as all or part of their racial background, the growth rate was even greater, a whopping 105 percent. To be sure, the total numbers are quite small. The headcount last April found 5,027 - 1.5 percent of the region's population of 345,490 - who chose Native American as their only racial background. When they are added to those who chose Native American along with other racial identities, the total rose to 7,765, or 2.2 percent of the region's total population. Using the figures where only one racial background was indicated, there was wide variances in Native American population growth within the counties. Leelanau posted the highest growth rate, 71 percent, going from 451 Native Americans in 1990 to 772 last year, closely followed by Manistee County, where the increase was 69 percent from 198 in 1990 to 319 in 2000. Crawford and Missaukee counties, in contrast, lost Native Americans by 41 and 3 percent respectively. Both had relatively tiny populations, 85 now in Crawford and 72 now in Missaukee, so small numeric changes caused large percentage changes. Emmet County, with 978, has the region's largest Native American population, followed by Leelanau with 772, Grand Traverse with 724, Cheboygan with 674, and Charlevoix with 403, rounding out the top five counties in the region. Read more about the census: • 13-county region has grown 22 percent since 1990 count • Michigan’s top 10 population gainers, losers (map) • Michigan suburban migration accelerates • Region’s racial characteristics (chart) • Region’s population change (chart) • Cities' losses are townships' gains • Family enjoys life in small town • What's at stake with changing population • Large cities that lost or gained population (chart) • City and village populations (chart) • Quiet life entices familes to 'burbs • Native American numbers on rise • Aging citizens outpace younger generation • Population changes in region by county, city and township (chart) |
