New report from DDA highlights 56% growth in downtown Ann Arbor population since 2000

The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority has released its second annual State of Downtown report, highlighting a 56 percent increase in the downtown population since 2000.

"This growth aligns with nationwide census figures that suggest a growing interest in living in the downtown core," the report states.

There now are an estimated 4,849 residents and roughly 1,500 businesses in downtown Ann Arbor, according to the report examining the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The DDA's first State of Downtown report for the previous year estimated there were 4,167 residents downtown, putting the year-to-year growth at 16.4 percent.

• Download the new report

The DDA posted the report on its Facebook page on Tuesday, though it appears to have been written months ago since it refers the new Zaragon West and Landmark student high-rises as "scheduled to open in the fall of 2012." Both began welcoming tenants around last August and September.

Zaragon West, at the corner of Thompson and William, brought about 200 new beds to downtown, while Landmark brought roughly 600 beds to the South University area.

Two other student high-rises — one proposed above Pizza House and one proposed on Huron Street — could bring about 175-185 and 533 more beds, respectively.

Two other apartment developments catering to young professionals — 618 South Main and Ann Arbor City Apartments — are in the works. Each could bring close to 200 more beds downtown.

DDA Director Susan Pollay said the new report was slated to be released last fall, but the DDA's focus on the Connecting William Street project kept it from being completed until last week.

The report includes an extensive collection of facts, charts and maps that help tell the story of a changing downtown Ann Arbor.

Here are some screenshots from the report:

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.