Census: Ottawa County's population jumps 10.6 pct.

Ottawa County had the fifth-largest growth among Michigan's 83 counties in the past 10 years, according to the U.S. Census figures released Tuesday. The 2000 Census figured Ottawa County's population at 238,314 - while the Census taken last year pegged the population at 263,801, a 10.6-percent gain. It is now the eighth-largest populated county in the state. Only Clinton (16.5 percent), Livingston (15.3 percent), Grand Traverse (12 percent) and Isabella (11 percent) counties outdid Ottawa County in gains over the 10-year period.

Mark Brooky

Ottawa County

Mar 23, 2011

Grand Haven Township rose 14.3 percent and Spring Lake Township increased by 8.8 percent from 2000 to 2010, while the city of Grand Haven’s population declined by 6.7 percent.

Hammered by the automobile industry’s decline, Detroit’s population plummeted 25 percent over the past decade. The statistics show that the once-mighty Motor City’s population dropped to 713,777 last year, from 951,270 in 2000.

Although a significant drop was expected, state demographer Ken Darga said Detroit’s population is “considerably lower” than the Census Bureau’s estimate last year.

Lawmakers will use the information to adjust boundaries for U.S. House districts in Michigan, which is losing one of its 15 congressional seats after being the only state with a population decline over the past decade. The data also will help shape districts in the state Senate and House.

Republicans control both chambers of the Michigan Legislature and will have the upper hand in crafting district maps.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. More details on the Census report will be published in Wednesday’s Tribune.