Feb. 26, 2008

The 2010 Census may seem a long way off, but critical planning and preparation is already under way here in Michigan.  For the 684 Michigan communities that missed the deadline to sign up for the Census Bureau's address-updating program, there is good news. 

The Library of Michigan today announced that it has been designated to participate in the Local Update of Census Addresses (LUCA) program for the entire state, and that communities still have the chance to submit information through the Library of Michigan - but must do so by March 31.

"An accurate census count is a high priority for the State of Michigan.  The U.S. Census Bureau has estimated that each person counted by the census brings $130 of federal funding to his or her state and local community each year -- $1,300 over the course of a decade," said State Librarian Nancy Robertson.  "An accurate census in Michigan will not increase the size of the federal budget, but it will ensure that Michigan communities get their fair share of the dollars spent."  Additionally, she said, the census is used for other purposes including economic development planning and drawing new boundaries for political districts.

According to Dwight Dean, director of the Census Bureau's Detroit Regional Office, the key to an accurate census is having an accurate address list.  "Housing units that are not on the list will not have census forms mailed to them, so participating in the LUCA program is the most important thing a community can do to improve its census count," Dean explained.  "We appreciate the strong support of the many participating local governmental units with the LUCA process.  It adds the important local precision, accuracy and completeness needed to produce a complete count during the 2010 Census."

The LUCA program provides communities with an opportunity to submit addresses to the Census Bureau for inclusion in the census.  Most communities get that information from their property assessment files and other administrative records, and the Census Bureau then adds any valid addresses that are not already on its list. 

Even though 561 Michigan cities, townships and villages and 26 counties have signed up to participate in LUCA, another 684 cities and townships in the remaining counties have not signed up.  State Demographer Kenneth Darga said most of these are small communities - representing about 17 percent of Michigan's population - and that a more accurate census count will benefit even the smallest community.

"Although the initial registration deadline has passed, the Library of Michigan's partnership with the Census Bureau provides a back-door opportunity for communities to improve their census count," Darga explained.  "If a city, township, village or tribal government sends addresses to us by March 31 in the format that the Census Bureau requires, we will submit those addresses on their behalf." 

The Census Bureau requires that the community use new census maps or other means to determine which county, census tract and census block each submitted address is located in, as defined for the 2010 Census.  If a community does not have the resources to determine the proper census block for all of its addresses, Darga suggested that the highest priorities are:

• addresses that were recently changed from rural-style (box number or rural route) to city-style (number and street);
• apartments that have been added to existing houses;
• any trailers or non-standard housing units on property with city-style addresses;
• new addresses; and
• institutions, dormitories, group homes and other "group quarter" living facilities.

Census maps and other LUCA resources are available at the Library of Michigan's Census Web site, www.michigan.gov/census.  The Web site also includes a list of current participating and non-participating communities.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).  Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).