Reasons Why Passage of Library Millage is Crucial to Bay County

Local Education Rates, Income, Value of Housing, All Lag Rest of State

October 14, 2007
By: Dave Rogers

An estimated half the residents of Bay County do not have computers, therefore the local library is essential for them to "connect" with the world.

Computers are in this day and age a necessary adjunct to education. Therefore, students of all ages need access to computers in order to help them prepare for their futures.


Bay City and Bay County are in structural deficit because of low educational levels. That translates directly to income, and quality of life.

The following statistics from the 2000 U.S. Census are instructive in that regard:

High School Graduates, age 25 plus: Bay City: 80.8 percent;

High School Graduates, age 25 plus: Rest of State, 83.4 percent;

Bachelor's degree or higher, age 25 plus: Bay City: 12.8 percent;

Bachelor's degree or higher, age 25 plus: Rest of State, 21.8 percent;

Median Household Income: Bay City: $30,425;

Median Household Income: Rest of State: $44,667;

Per Capita Income: Bay City: $16,550;

Per Capita Income: Rest of State: $22,168.

Persons Below Poverty: Bay City: 14.6 percent;

Persons Below Poverty: Rest of State: 10.5 percent;

Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: Bay City: $65,700;

Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing Units: Rest of State: $115,600;

Population Change 1990-2000: Bay City: -5.0 percent;

Population Change 1990-2000: Michigan: +6.9 percent;

Population Change April, 2000 to July 2003: Bay City: -3.8 percent;

Population Change April 2000 to July 2003: Michigan +1.4 percent.###