Statistics on Detroit’s revival tell multiple stories, one being a cautionary tale

By Dennis Archambault
As we reflect on what likely is the pinnacle of Detroit’s recovery from the Great Recession, the news media has generally painted a picture of Detroit as the “Comeback City.” Indeed, the statistics look good: Population loss has slowed; business activity is up; industry is stable; core city urban redevelopment is up; unemployment is down. What’s not to like?

John Gallagher, a business reporter, probed deeper into the data to get a better understanding of what the statistics really mean (https://www.freep.com/story/money/business/john-gallagher/2019/08/21/detroit-recovery-data/2009516001/). Essentially, Gallagher offers a sobering perspective that despite such a remarkable come-back, Detroit has not really come back, and the vulnerable sectors of the city are still vulnerable, despite the “renaissance” of portions of the city. As they say, when the national economy sneezes, Detroit gets a cold, or is that the flu?? Whatever the case, several of the social determinants impacting the low-income population – education, employment, transportation, housing, food security, clean and safe places for exercising, natural environment, built environment – are all seriously deficient.

We need to brace ourselves for what could happen in the next recession.

Dennis Archambault is vice president of Public Affairs for Authority Health