What is the population of your community (Library Service Area)? What is the projected population in 5 years?

http://www.census.gov/

Choose Estimates under the People category. You will see Estimates Data. Choose between States, Counties, Cities & Towns, and Metropolitan Area.

What percent of the people living in your community are:

Less than 5 years old
Between 5 and 17
Between 18 and 24
Between 25 and 44
Between 45 and 64
Age 65 and older

The U.S. Census Bureau page on State & County QuickFacts will lead to this information.

In addition, you can go to the Census Factfinder for this information ( http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet). Choose "Get A Fact Sheet for Your Community" and enter a city or county name or a zip code.

How many people in single-parent households are there in your community? How many people in family households?

This information also is available through the U.S. Census Bureau's State & County Quickfacts page.

How many people speak a language other than English at home in your community?

What are the three largest employers in your community?

Select the county of your choice from the pull down menu on the left. Then choose Economy. You will find a list of principal employers.

What are the three major industries and how many people do they employ?

Go to the Census Factfinder for this information ( http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet). Choose "Get A Fact Sheet for Your Community" and enter a city or county name or a zip code. Then select "Show More" next to Economic Characteristics. You will find industry and employment information.

You can also go to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives Web site: http://www.milmi.org/ . Choose Local Area Information, then Local Area Profile. You can choose your County and timeframe from that point.

What is the percentage of unemployed people in your community?

Go to the Census Factfinder for this information ( http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet). Choose "Get A Fact Sheet for Your Community" and enter a city or county name or a zip code. Then select "Show More" next to Economic Characteristics. You will find industry and employment information.

You can also go to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth, Bureau of Labor Market Information & Strategic Initiatives Web site: http://www.milmi.org/ . Choose Local Area Information, then Local Area Profile. You can choose your County and timeframe from that point.

What is the occupational forecast in your community?

Click on The Future.

What is the median family income in your community?

Go to the Census Factfinder for this information ( http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet). Choose "Get A Fact Sheet for Your Community" and enter a city or county name or a zip code. Then select "Show More" next to Economic Characteristics. You will find the county or city's median household income. You also can view the median income for all of Michigan.

Per capita incomes are included in each county's breakdown at http://medc.michigan.org/miinfo/places

What percentages of families in your community are below the poverty line?

This information is available through the Census Factfinder ( http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/BasicFactsServlet).

Also, check http://www.economy.com/dismal. Under Data & Tools enter the zip code for your area to get an economic profile. Take the labor force number and multiply by .038 for the approximate number of home-based businesses in your area.

Provides a break down of persons, housing, children enrolled in public or private schools by individual school districts. Provides a plethora of other information. Currently contains 1990 census for counties.

Other questions to consider are:

How many home-schooled students are there?

Does your community experience large fluctuations in population during different seasons?

What other libraries are in your community?

What type of schools (elementary, secondary, post-secondary) are in your community?

What government offices are in your community, and what services do they provide?

Please contact Karren Reish, LSTA Coordinator (517) 241-0021, e-mail: kreish@michigan.gov with any questions or concerns, as well as with any information regarding the accessibility of the links listed. Keep in mind, however, that the Library of Michigan is not responsible for the upkeep of the data available at the sites listed.

Updated 02/01/2008