Data shines a light on community needs

We’re pleased to feature this blog co-written by Anne Kuhnen, Kids Count in Michigan Policy Director, and Patrick Schaefer, Michigan League for Public Policy Economic Security Policy Analyst. A version of this column originally appeared in The Alpena News.

Anne Kuhnen

Patrick Schaefer

Every December, the U.S. Census Bureau releases the American Community Survey (ACS) five-year estimates. This large dataset provides the public with a useful tool for lawmakers, state officials and local leaders to determine the needs of their communities and craft strong public policy. The Michigan League for Public Policy compiles this data and formats it into easy-to-read fact sheets, which we released this week. Each fact sheet provides dozens of data points for each of Michigan’s counties, legislative districts, Congressional districts and key cities. Census data helps decision-makers and advocates determine what their communities need and is crucial in the way those communities are funded. 

This year, however, the ACS did not come out on time, its release being delayed by federal budget troubles. That delay is part of a bigger concern about data access.

Unbeknownst to most of the public, 2025 was a turbulent year for federal data, and access to some federal data sources remains at risk. 

Over the past year, key reports have been discontinued, including the annual Household Food Security Report. This report helped researchers and decision-makers develop policies to combat hunger. The cancellation of this report came just as Congress implemented the largest cut to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in history. Without this survey, it will be far more difficult to track how these budget cuts affect Michiganders.

Moreover, staff cuts across the federal government have weakened the government’s ability to track and disseminate data. For example, 97% of staff at the National Center for Education Statistics were eliminated, forcing the team to pause, delay, or cancel reports. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also saw cuts, with the entire team overseeing a survey on infant and maternal health placed on administrative leave.

Beyond the discontinuation of surveys and firing of key personnel, the current administration seeks to change how we collect data, potentially skewing future results and affecting the most well-known of the government’s data collection efforts, the U.S. Census. 

In December, the administration began reviewing recent updates to race and ethnicity data and proposed reverting to the 2020 standards. Previously, the census did not include a Middle Eastern or North African option when recording race and ethnicity, leaving many participants to simply select white or another race that wasn’t accurate. Additionally, the administration is reducing the number of new practice test locations, opting to only test the new census in two southern metro areas, as well as only offering the practice census surveys in English. This could ultimately lead to a survey that skews the data, creating undercounts among minority groups — especially immigrants and Indigenous communities — as well as rural areas across the country.  

Without reliable and accurate government data, it is easy to miss the needs of areas with less visibility, such as rural and under-resourced regions. For example, because of the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, we know Montmorency County might not have as many renters as the more urban counties in the state, but over 50% of all renters in the county are rent burdened, meaning they pay more than 35% of their income on rent alone. Similarly, we can see in Lake County 26% of all homeowners are mortgage-burdened. 

Poverty remains high in many areas of the state, and accurate data is key to tracking that. Almost half — 40 of Michigan’s 83 counties — have higher poverty rates than the state average of 13%. Census data reminds us that issues of housing and affordability impact all Michiganders, not just those in the larger city centers, and it draws our attention to these communities in need.  

Threats to federal data threaten the well-being of all Michiganders. Without accurate, timely data, policymakers and community leaders can struggle to identify the scope of the needs of their constituents. More than that, when there are undercounts or the data is skewed as a result of poor data collection, the needs of underserved communities can go unheard. 

To see the latest data for your community, explore the fact sheets here.