As part of Michigan tradition, we’re always scouting for FOR SALE signs in our neighborhoods.. It’s not that we’re nosy (okay, maybe we are), but we’re curious about where our neighbors are going and who might be moving in. One town in the Mitten state has seen incredible growth over the last 5 years.
Dubbed the Fastest Growing City in Michigan by World Population Review, this tiny township has seen nearly one thousand new residents over the last half-decade. While that may not sound like a lot to many, when your town only had 6,380 people in it to begin with, a thousand extra people milling around tends not to go unnoticed.
Bloomer Townships Population Boom
Located in Montcalm County, Bloomer Township is Michigan’s fastest-growing municipality. According to the US Census Bureau, the population was 6,380 in 2020. Today, that population stands at 7,358 people. So, who are these extra 978 people—and where did they come from?
Prison Population’s Role in Census Counts
Well, I had a theory. You see, Bloomer Township is home to the Carson City Correctional Facility, which, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC), employs 428 employees when fully staffed and houses up to 2,526 prisoners…