Planning in the Knowledge Economy

MSU Center for Community & Economic Development

Regional Characteristics

« Data & Indicators

Five types of data provide a demographic, physical, and economic context for understanding the knowledge economy Indicators developed for the three Northern Michigan regions, including:

  1. population,
  2. land area,
  3. population density,
  4. unemployment rates, and
  5. per capita income.

Population (2008)

Northeast MI1 Northwest MI2 Eastern UP3 Total4 Michigan
Population 138,522 297,210 56,209 491,941 10,003,422
% of Michigan 1.38% 2.97% 0.56% 4.92% 100.00%
Source: Michigan County QuickFacts, U.S. Census Bureau (2009).

The total combined population of the three regions was less than 5% of the state's population of 10,003,422. (See Appendices A and B for county and city/village population data, respectively.)

Land Area (Sq Mi, 2007)

Northeast MI1 Northwest MI2 Eastern UP3 Total4 Michigan
Land Area 4,810 4,733 3,486 13,029 56,804
% of Michigan 8.47% 8.33% 6.14% 22.94% 100.00%
Source: Michigan County QuickFacts, U.S. Census Bureau (2009).

The 13,029 square miles of the three regions account for nearly one-quarter of the state's total land area.

Population Density (Population/Square Mile, 2008)

Northeast MI1 Northwest MI2 Eastern UP3 Regional Avg. Michigan
Population Density 28.80 62.79 16.13 37.76 176.10
Source: Michigan County QuickFacts, U.S. Census Bureau (2009).

The population density of the three predominantly rural regions is less than 40 persons/sq. mi. The state's population density of 176.10 persons/sq. mi. is over four times greater.

Unemployment Rates (2008)

Northeast MI1 Northwest MI2 Eastern UP3 MI Midwest5 U.S.
Unemploy. Rate 11.23% 9.00% 10.33% 8.43% 6.47% 6.11%
Source: Local Area Unemployment Statistics, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor (2009).

Unemployment rates were higher for all three regions than the state of Michigan. Two regions' rates reached double-digits and far exceeded the national rate of 6.11% and the Midwest Region's rate of 6.47%.

Per Capita Personal Income (2007)

Northeast MI1 Northwest MI2 Eastern UP3 MI Midwest5 U.S.
Per Capita Income $24,529 $30,105 $22,996 $32,985 $36,696 $38,615
Source: Local Area Personal Income, Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce (2009).

Per capita personal income for all three regions was significantly below the average Michigan per capita personal income in 2007. The Northeast and Eastern Upper Peninsula regions were 25-30% lower. The per capita personal income for all three regions was 22-40% lower than the national per capita personal income of $38,615.

Definitions

  1. Northeast Michigan corresponds to the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) region of eight counties in the Lower Peninsula: Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle.
  2. Northwest Michigan corresponds to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) region of ten counties in the Lower Peninsula: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford.
  3. The Eastern Upper Peninsula corresponds to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission (EUPRPDC) region of three counties: Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac.
  4. The total corresponds to the sum of the three regions.
  5. Midwest is defined as the EDA Chicago Region: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin