Macomb’s official population rose a bit as a result of the special census done last fall, though it came up short of city leaders’ expectations.
The city gained 494 residents in the new headcount for a population of 15,545.
“We were hoping for an increase of maybe 1,000 plus,” said Mayor Mike Inman. “So, not the number we had quite hoped for, but it’s still positive at the end of the day and we’re grateful for that.”
Despite coming up short, Inman said the increase is still enough to offset the cost of the special census, with money left over for other projects.
“It won’t be the windfall we received from the last special census, but it will be a plus factor,” he said.
The special census done in 2014 increased Macomb’s population to 21,516 after the 2010 census counted 19,288 residents.
The federal government uses census figures to determine its distribution of funding for hundreds of programs, such as school lunches and infrastructure.
Macomb annexed the Georgetown subdivision on the city’s far west side early last year, which Inman said gave the city a boost in the special census.
The subdivision includes around 200 townhomes.
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