A recent article, from The Grand Rapids Press, Birth dearth: Stats show West Michigan has fewer children then a decade ago, discusses the drop in the number of children under 18, according to the 2010 Census.

There are many reasons for the decline, as stated in the article, but there are also shifts in the population in West Michigan that could lead to a trend upward in these numbers over the next decade. 

Gustavo Rotondaro, interim director of the Community Research Institute at Grand Valley State University, said he expects the area's rising Hispanic population and its tendency to have larger families also will play a role in the next decade.

“Their fertility rate – their natural growth rate – will present an opportunity,” Rotondaro said. “But are these communities ready to have a diverse population?”

The 2010 Census has indicated many changes like the above in our community's population, potentially leading to changes in who nonprofit organizations are serving. The Johnson Center's Community Research has compiled a snapshot of data for West Michigan to help you with your work.  

To view the snapshot, visit www.cridata.org. 

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Established in 1992 with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy promotes effective philanthropy, community improvement, and excellence in nonprofit leadership through teaching, research, and service. The Johnson Center is recognized for its applied research and professional development benefiting practitioners and nonprofits through its Community Research Institute, The Foundation Review,  The Grantmaking School, and Nonprofit Services

Grand Valley State University attracts more than 24,400 students with high-quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities. Grand Valley is a comprehensive university serving students from all 83 Michigan counties and dozens of other states and foreign countries. Grand Valley offers 77 undergraduate and 28 graduate degree programs from campuses in Allendale, Grand Rapids and Holland, and from regional centers in Muskegon and Traverse City. The university is dedicated to individual student achievement, going beyond the traditional classroom experience, with research opportunities and business partnerships.

For more information, contact Robert Shalett, communications director for the Johnson Center, at 616-331-7585.