Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing | Median Monthly Household Costs with a Mortgage | Population Growth Rate from 1990-2000 | |
State of Michigan |
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+6.9% |
Washtenaw County |
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+14.1% |
How much higher Washtenaw County is |
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GIS Maps of Washtenaw County vs. State of Michigan
Median Value of Owner-Occupied Housing
By looking at the above links, you can see that Washtenaw County has a unique mix of incomes, housing value, and densities. One unique aspect is the population change of the county. Of Washtenaw County's 28 municipalities (20 townships, 4 cities, and 4 villages), 21 have a growth rate that is higher than the county average. This is more than twice the state average! This begs the question: Why is this growth taking place in these areas and not others?
While there are many factors that one considers before deciding to move to a certain area, I am investigating two in particular: school quality and tax burden.How is school quality measured?If I were to purchase a home in Washtenaw County, where could I find a home where property taxes are low and school quality is high? Conversely, what areas should I avoid where property taxes are high and school quality is low?Graduation ratesWhere are the school districts that have high graduation rates AND MEAP scores? Where are those that have low graduation rates and MEAP scores?
How is tax burden measured?
Local homestead property tax rates
Does school quality and tax rates affect growth rates?
While further analysis will be needed to study this link, connections can be made by observing the maps.The bigger issues is not the existing link between school quality, tax rates and growth rates, but the potential link. If a family was in the market for a new home in Washtenaw County, it would be encouraged to purchase in the shaded green areas where property taxes are low and school quality is high. All of the shaded areas are in township areas and none are within any of the cities or villages.