Few stories are as dramatic and hard-fought as those of Detroit under the tenacious leadership of Mayor Mike Duggan. At the Detroit Policy Conference earlier this year, Duggan’s impassioned plea was clear: get the U.S. Census Bureau to properly reflect the city’s population growth. Today, that plea has been met with triumph. For the first time since 1957, the Census Bureau acknowledges that Detroit’s population is on the rise, a milestone that resonates beyond mere numbers.
Detroit, once the beating heart of America’s industrial might, saw its population dwindle over the decades, reaching a low point that many feared was irreversible. The U.S. Census Bureau’s data painted a grim picture: a decline from nearly 2 million residents in 1950 to just over 631,000 in 2022. But these numbers didn’t tell the whole story. Duggan’s administration was adamant that the Census Bureau’s figures were not only inaccurate but damaging to the city’s revival efforts.
Duggan didn’t just challenge the Census Bureau; he went to war with it, describing the agency as a “national clown show” for its erroneous reporting. The city filed multiple lawsuits, asserting that the Census Bureau’s methodology unfairly penalized Detroit for its demolition of unoccupied and uninhabitable structures. The agency’s approach, which subtracted about two residents for each demolished building, ignored the fact that these demolitions were part of the city’s strategy to create safer, more livable neighborhoods.
This week, the Census Bureau released new figures showing a modest but significant increase in Detroit’s population, from 631,366 in 2022 to 633,218 in 2023. This 1,852-resident growth marks the first recognized increase in over six decades. Detroit now ranks as the nation’s 26th most populous city. While the numbers themselves may seem small, the implications are monumental. For a city that has been fighting the perception of decline for so long, this recognition is a powerful affirmation of its resilience and revival.
Detroit’s growth stands in stark contrast to the trend in many other major cities, which have been grappling with population loss year after year. This shift signals a major change, not just for Detroit but for urban centers across America. It shows that with the right leadership and policies, cities can rebound from decades of decline.
Even in the face of the growth, there are still struggles left to overcome. For starters, Detroit’s Black population has dwindled significantly in the past quarter-century, with nearly 300,000 Black residents leaving since 2000. No other U.S. city has had that large of a Black population departure in that span. At the same time, the population of white residents has grown in the past decade by more than 5,000. It begs the question: what is making Black residents want to leave Detroit and causing white people to take up residency in the city? Is it a lack of opportunities available for the skills Detroiters have been trained in for decades? An economy that has historically overemphasized unskilled labor and left Detroit’s residents unprepared for new industries? Inflation that hasn’t matched the price of local wages? Perhaps those are questions that will be answered more directly at another time. But even with those looming questions, this significant growth in the city’s population should not be undervalued.
Mayor Duggan’s strategy for revitalizing Detroit has been multifaceted and deeply rooted in community engagement. Since taking office amid the city’s bankruptcy, Duggan has centered his administration’s success on regrowing the population and restoring neighborhoods. Over 10,000 vacant houses have been renovated, attracting families and breathing new life into previously desolate areas. New apartments are springing up across the city, and the sight of people working on homes is now a common one in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
This housing boom has been bolstered by businesses investing in local communities, creating jobs (some for locals and some for out-of-town transplants who now call the city home), and fostering economic growth. The result is a city that is vibrant and dynamic, with a growing population to match. Yet, as Mayor Duggan points out, the true victory lies in how this population growth enhances Detroit’s national brand. Being classified as a growing city by the Census Bureau is a powerful endorsement that can attract further investment and development.
For those who have been part of Detroit’s resurgence, the Census Bureau’s recognition is a long-overdue validation of their efforts. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about the narrative. Detroit is once again seen as a city on the rise, a place of opportunity and growth. This shift in perception is invaluable for attracting new residents, businesses, and investors.
Mayor Duggan’s fight for accurate census figures underscores a broader truth about urban renewal: data matters. Accurate data shapes public policy, influences investment decisions, and can either bolster or undermine a city’s efforts to rebuild. By securing a more accurate portrayal of Detroit’s population, Duggan has not only won a significant victory for his administration but also set a precedent for other cities facing similar challenges.
As Detroit celebrates this milestone, the journey is far from over. The city must continue to build on its momentum, addressing ongoing challenges and seizing new opportunities for growth. But with Mayor Duggan at the helm and a newly recognized population increase, transparently, the future looks brighter than it has in decades.
Detroit has proven, time and time again, that we are here, we’ve always had a stake in the ground, and we are here to stay. From our legendary sports teams that have brought us countless moments of glory, to the innovative revitalization efforts that have transformed vacant spaces into vibrant neighborhoods, Detroit exemplifies resilience and ingenuity. We’ve turned our trials into triumphs, harnessing the power of community and creativity to rebuild and reimagine our future but most importantly, to retrieve the fruits of this labor- now. So, don’t call it a comeback; this is our legacy.
In the end, Detroit’s story is one of resilience and renewal, a testament to what can be achieved with determined leadership and a community that believes in its own potential. The Census Bureau’s acknowledgment is a victory for all who have worked tirelessly to bring Detroit back from the brink. It’s a reminder that even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, change is possible.
Detroit is not just a city on the rebound; it’s a symbol of what American cities can achieve with grit, vision, and a relentless pursuit of progress. As we celebrate this moment, we look forward to a future where Detroit continues to grow and thrive, a leading example that hope still floats and an inspiration for cities everywhere.
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