FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 7, 2026
Contact:
Laura Millard Ross
lauramr@mlpp.org
517-281-1084
League releases latest geographic fact sheets and new data-threat report, sounds alarm on federal cuts to data and statistical agencies
Fact sheets include key demographic data for each of Michigan’s 83 counties, 110 state House districts, 38 state Senate districts, 13 U.S. Congressional districts and dozens of key cities
LANSING—The Michigan League for Public Policy has published its annual demographic fact sheets for Michigan and its counties, drawing on the most recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The fact sheets are available here.
The data featured in the fact sheets reflects 2024 figures — the latest year for which census data is available. Fact sheets cover the state as a whole, individual counties, Michigan’s legislative districts, and select cities, serving as practical resources for policymakers, researchers, journalists and community advocates.
“We want decision makers in Michigan to take advantage of this data to deepen their understanding of the communities they represent and how to best serve their constituents. With growing concern about federal threats to critical public programs, this information is more timely than ever,” said Michigan League for Public Policy President and CEO Monique Stanton. “These fact sheets are equally useful for researchers, nonprofits and residents who want a clearer picture of where they live.”
Accurate census data is crucial for the equitable disbursement of funding for critical community needs like healthcare and education. Census-guided federal spending totaled $62 billion in Michigan in 2023, with 80% of that funding going to health-focused programs like Medicaid, Medicare, nutritional support and community health centers. Federal education spending is also determined by accurate census data, with dollars going to Title I grants, special education, school meals, career and technical education, and other programs.
But the census and other important federal data is now in danger of being suppressed.
The League has also published The Stakes are High: Protect Federal Data, which focuses on federal funding cuts to data and statistical agencies as well as other data threats that will result in under-resourced communities and privacy violations.
“Federal data is an essential tool in ensuring communities and the people who reside in them get their fair share of resources. The Trump administration’s war on facts, coupled with other federal cuts to essential programs, will have a devastating impact on the well-being of communities across Michigan,” said Stanton. “Federal data is not only critical for determining federal spending, it helps shape strong policies by identifying disparities that exist and how those disparities can best be addressed.”
“At a time when families are already facing major uncertainty due to significant federal funding cuts to healthcare and food in order to make the wealthy in our country wealthier, they now also have to worry about their personal privacy,” said Stanton. “And, in the case of risks related to Medicaid data, immigrant families may be more reluctant to seek out healthcare when they need it as a result. We’re proud that Michigan is one of 22 states challenging the federal administration in their ability to access this private data for immigration enforcement.”
More about the Census Fact Sheets: Each fact sheet covers a range of key indicators, including population figures, median age, median household income and poverty rates, along with data on young children and older adults. Additional topics include child poverty, housing costs, healthcare access, disability, the gender wage gap and more. Fact sheets are available for each of Michigan’s 83 counties.
More about The Stakes Are High series: The Stakes are High series provides data and information to aid community members and partner organizations in standing up against federal threats that will harm millions of Michiganders.
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The Michigan League for Public Policy, www.mlpp.org, is a nonprofit policy institute focused on opportunity for all. Its mission is to advance economic security, racial equity, health and well-being for all people in Michigan through policy change. It is the only state-level organization that addresses poverty in a comprehensive way.
Jay Cutler joined the League in March 2026 as the Kids Count Senior Data Analyst, where he collects, analyzes, and prepares data for Kids Count in Michigan.
Danielle Taylor-Basemore joined the League as the Development Data and Stewardship Coordinator in June 2025. She brings with her five years of nonprofit experience with a special focus on community engagement, data visualization and strategic programming. Prior to joining the League, Danielle served as the Business District, Safety, and Digital Manager at Jefferson East, Inc.
Scott Preston is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Michigan League for Public Policy, where he leads the organization’s immigration and criminal justice reform portfolios. In the three years prior to joining the League, Scott facilitated the Southeast Michigan Refugee Collaborative and managed a small business economic development program at Global Detroit. His work included launching Michigan’s first Refugee Film Festival and building on a trusted connector model that linked marginalized communities with crucial resources. Scott’s work at the League is informed by his background in journalism and research. He spent four years covering the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East for publications such as The Economist, and later worked with unaccompanied refugee minors through Samaritas. Scott holds a master’s degree in international migration and public policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Kate Powers joined the League as the Chief Development Officer in February 2025. Prior to joining the League, Kate held leadership positions at many Michigan nonprofit organizations, most recently serving as the COO and Chief Development Officer of Ele’s Place. Kate has spent the bulk of her career in fundraising, with a short stint in the state Legislature as a legislative aide to members in both chambers. Kate is a graduate of Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations and has a certificate in fundraising management from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. Additionally, Kate served on the East Lansing Public Schools Board of Education and is a past President of the Junior League of Lansing. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and her son and saving outfit of the day and home decor ideas on Pinterest. 
Nicholas Hess joined the League as the Fiscal Policy Analyst in September of 2024. In this role, Nicholas focuses on tax policy, government revenue, and their impact on working families and racial equity, including the effects of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit (CTC). Nicholas values the role that judicious fiscal policy can play in the improvement of people’s lives and the economy, alleviating inequities along the way.
Audrey Matusz joined the League as the Visual Communications Specialist in September 2024. She supports the team with implementing social media strategies and brainstorming creative ways to talk about public policy. She brings with her nearly a decade of experience in producing digital products for evidence-based social justice initiatives. 
Jacob Kaplan 
Donald Stuckey 
Alexandra Stamm 
Amari Fuller
Mikell Frey is a communications professional with a passion for using the art of storytelling to positively impact lives. She strongly believes that positive social change can be inspired by the sharing of data-driven information coupled with the unique perspectives of people from all walks of life across Michigan, especially those who have faced extraordinary barriers. 
Yona Isaacs (she/hers) is an Early Childhood Data Analyst for the Kids Count project. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience at the University of Michigan, she began her career as a research coordinator in pediatric psychiatry using data to understand the impacts of brain activity and genetics on children’s behavior and mental health symptoms. This work prompted an interest in exploring social determinants of health and the role of policy in promoting equitable opportunities for all children, families, and communities. She returned to the University of Michigan to complete her Masters in Social Work focused on Social Policy and Evaluation, during which she interned with the ACLU of Michigan’s policy and legislative team and assisted local nonprofit organizations in creating data and evaluation metrics. She currently serves as a coordinator for the Michigan Center for Youth Justice on a project aiming to increase placement options and enhance cultural competency within the juvenile justice system for LGBTQIA+ youth. Yona is eager to put her data skills to work at the League in support of data-driven policies that advocate for equitable access to healthcare, education, economic security, and opportunity for 0-5 year old children. In her free time, she enjoys tackling DIY house projects and trying new outdoor activities with her dog.
Rachel Richards rejoined the League in December 2020 as the Fiscal Policy Director working on state budget and tax policies. Prior to returning to the League, she served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Michigan Department of Treasury, the tax policy analyst and Legislative Director for the Michigan League for Public Policy, and a policy analyst and the Appropriations Coordinator for the Democratic Caucus of the Michigan House of Representatives. She brings with her over a decade of experience in policies focused on economic opportunity, including workforce issues, tax, and state budget.
Simon Marshall-Shah joined the Michigan League for Public Policy as a State Policy Fellow in August 2019. His work focuses on state policy as it relates to the budget, immigration, health care and other League policy priorities. Before joining the League, he worked in Washington, D.C. at the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), providing federal policy and advocacy support to nonprofit, Medicaid health plans (Safety Net Health Plans) related to the ACA Marketplaces as well as Quality & Operations.
Renell Weathers, Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) Community Engagement Consultant. As community engagement consultant, Renell works with organizations throughout the state in connecting the impact of budget and tax policies to their communities. She is motivated by the belief that all children and adults deserve the opportunity to achieve their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or economic class.
Emily Jorgensen joined the Michigan League for Public Policy in July 2019. She deeply cares about the well-being of individuals and families and has a great love for Michigan. She is grateful that her position at the League enables her to combine these passions and work to help promote policies that will lead to better opportunities and security for all Michiganders.
Megan Farnsworth joined the League’s staff in December 2022 as Executive Assistant. Megan is driven by work that is personally fulfilling, and feels honored to help support the work of an organization that pushes for more robust programming and opportunities for the residents of our state. She’s excited and motivated to gain overarching knowledge of the policies and agendas that the League supports.
