Census: Residents leaving for sunshine states need to be counted in Michigan
Michigan residents who spend a smaller portion of the year at a residence in another state should be sure to fill out the Census form for Michigan, and in your community. Local governments should take steps now to help people understand the importance of telling the Census they are a resident of Michigan --rather than the state where they spend winter. Provide these these guidelines in your local government newsletter, with pamphlets at senior centers, and on your government web site, as well as with other media:
1. "Zero" should be entered on the Census form received at the second residence, as the number of people residing there, and the rest of the form should remain blank. It is also a good idea to write "usual residence elsewhere" on the form so that the Census Bureau will know the reason for entering zero.
2. If other individuals are occupying the home in Michigan while permanent residents are away, those completing the Census form should include the permanent residents.
3. If no one is staying at the Michigan home, residents should wait until returning to Michigan to complete the Census form. If a form hasn't been received, Census personnel will contact residents between May and July.
For each Michigan resident who is missed by the Census or who is counted in a different state, over $1,000 in federal funds that should be allocated to Michigan each year will be spent elsewhere.
A single person not counted in Michigan in the 2010 Census means a loss of at least $10,000 in funds to Michigan, and a significant amount of money for your local government (revenue sharing, road funds, various grants, and much more which is computed in part on population.
Michigan has more snowbirds than many other states, with an average of 2.1 percent of Michigan's residents identified as part-year residents. Most of Michigan's part-year residents have their permanent homes in Michigan and spend the smaller part of the year in another state, which means they need to be counted in Michigan.
