City attracting more and more people to relocate here

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck’s population is growing, according to a recent study by SEMCOG.
The organization, a coalition of cities, recently released its population estimates for the area.
According to its findings, Hamtramck’s head count has leaped up 11.5 percent since the last U.S. Census in 2010. In the 2010 Census the city’s population was 22,417.
According to SEMCOG (which stands for Southeast Michigan Council of Governments), the city’s population is now 24,991.
The methodology used by SEMCOG to come up with its estimate was based on the number of housing units and the occupancy rate.
If that number rings true for the next official Census, which occurs once every 10 years, it could mean additional federal investment in the community. That count, however, is five years away.
News of SEMCOG’s estimate had some folks wondering: So who are these newcomers?
Just by general observation there appears to be an influx of young adults who are being pushed out of Wayne State University neighborhoods and also from Midtown.
Rental charges for those areas have skyrocketed in recent years.
City Councilmember Robert Zwolak agrees that young adults have been relocating here.
“I encounter a good number of young people moving in, and we still have a lot of housing bargains as well a significant number of schools in the area,” Zwolak said.
“The ethnic groups are still attracting and this a great town for people without cars.”