The population in Michigan was expected to double from the time of the 1920 census to the 1930 census. It didn't double, but it did grow tremendously with a population count of 4,842,325 compared to 3,668,412 ten years previously. This added 4 representatives to the 13 which were already representing the state, for a total of 17.
The population of Detroit, one of the most populated cities in Michigan, increased by 113.4%, more than double what it was in the previous count ten years ago. Women voting was new to the state, and only 1/3 of all eligible women exercised their right to vote in 1920 in Michigan.
The Michigan 1910 Census records show that the people were afraid of the census because of sickness which followed the last one ten years previous, killing many people. That is one reason that they changed their educational program and did away with district schools.
Farming was popular to make a living in Michigan in 1900, as is evidenced by the 1,425,700 head of cattle counted in Michigan for the 1900 census. As far as people go, the city of Chicago alone had an increase of 50% of the population since the last one which was taken ten years before.
The population census for 1890 was destroyed by a fire, making it impossible to count and compare with other decades in the past and to come. It was also the first time the census used one form for each family, making the people counting much easier.
The general population of the interior counties of Michigan had decreased when compared to previous years the census was taken. The railroad increased from 1870-1880 by 80 percent, making it one of the most popular ways to travel.
As reported in the 1870 Michigan census, the largest cities in the state were Detroit, Jackson, and Grand Rapids. The population of farmers was growing throughout the Western and Southern states, including the state of Michigan.
The 1860 Michigan census records were among the states which showed no count for slaves. The entire country, on the other hand, counted 3,953,760 slaves among the states which held them, plus fifteen more in two other states where slaves were not to be held.
In the report for the state in the 1850 census, the population was 2,666,308. There were 4,109 doctors. That put the ratio of doctors to patients at 1:649. With so much disease and influenza going around, getting medical help may not have been very easy.
The population of Chicago alone, was 4500. The residents had water from Lake Michigan delivered to them by a privately owned water cart until 1840, when the Chicago Hydraulic Company built the first station to pump water. The pump could bring the water from the lake to the city reservoir.
The Michigan Department of Education can help people who want to access Michigan census information as part of genealogical research. Not only was the federal census conducted every ten years, but Michigan also performs its own. The page provides links to indexes for genealogical research, as well as a list of the state records that are available.
Michigan census information can be obtained from the Center for Shared Solutions and Technology Partnerships. The Center maintains reports on population estimates for 2000-2008. Information can also be obtained about the 2010 Census, including general information, employment opportunities, and more. Search the data by population, social and economic factors, geography, and more.
The Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan has organized Michigan census information to make it easier for users to access. The page includes links to both current and historical census information. Other links allow users to access public records, such as obituaries and county clerk records. Simply follow the link to access additional information on the topic.
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