Census: Overall GP Population Dips

Four of the five Grosse Pointes have declined in population except for the Shores, which grew by 186 people from 2000 to 2010, according to preliminary 2010 census data released by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget Tuesday. 

The City of Grosse Pointe and the Farms saw small declines of 249 and 285 people, respectively, while the Park and the Woods had more significant losses of 888 and 945, respectively. 

In 2000, the Pointes population in total was 47,700 and in 2010 the number declined to 45,519, according to the Michigan Department of Technology.

According to county data released by the U.S. Census Bureau Tuesday, Wayne County saw the , or more than 240,000 people. Meanwhile, Macomb County jumped 6.7 percent.

The census is taken every 10 years to determine the population. In part, the figures are used to determine some funding dispersed throughout the country and state levels.

Grosse Pointe Board of Realtors President Randy Repicky said the decline isn't a surprise and it's less than what he would have guessed. The number of vacant homes, whether they are for sale by owners who moved to a new home, out-of-town for employment or are bank owned, could easily account for the decline, he said.

The Woods has more homes than any other Pointe, which is likely telling of the largest decline among the Pointes, he said. The Shores and the Farms have the fewest number of homes, he said. 

Another factor, Repicky said, is the seemingly smaller families as compared with decades ago. He grew up in a family with seven kids and that size of a family isn't seen as much today.

As more detailed information is released Patch will be updating this story. Please check back for more information.