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Jewish Federation Population Study Reveals Attributes and Challenges of a Close-Knit Detroit Jewish Community

With preliminary figures in hand, and in anticipation of a comprehensive report to follow in October, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit has begun the work of mining the data from the Detroit Jewish Population Study, conducted in November and December 2005.

At a glance, Jewish Detroit—concentrated in Oakland, and with a presence in Wayne and Macomb counties—has a population of 72,000, living in 30,000 households, ranking it the 21st largest Jewish community in the nation. At 72,000, the Jewish population represents 2% of the Greater Detroit population. According to the American Jewish Year Book, the Jewish population of the United States is about 6.4 million, 2% of the national total.

Though the current numbers suggest a decrease in population since the last survey conducted in 1989, Dr. Ira Sheskin who led the current study, points to strong indications through his research methods that the 1989 figure of 96,000 was an over-estimation. As the architect of Jewish population surveys in over 40 Jewish communities around the nation, Sheskin, PhD and Associate Professor at the University of Miami, also brings to the table a wealth of comparative data to evaluate how the Jewish community of Detroit stacks up against trends in other cities.

Attesting to the accuracy of an "enormous sampling" through random digit dialing and distinctive Jewish name telephone surveys, Sheskin conducted 1,274 interviews, in the Metro Detroit Tri-County area. His topline findings: the Jewish community of Detroit is geographically concentrated, deeply rooted, affiliated, educated, aging and charitable.

Geographically and emotionally connected

• 73% of Jewish households live in the core area (23 zip codes) with the highest concentration in West Bloomfield, Farmington Hills, and Oak Park.
• 79% feel very connected to the Jewish community.

Deeply Rooted and Affiliated

• 58% are locally born.
• 88% have lived in metro Detroit 20 years or more.
• 71% of households with children belong to a synagogue.

Educated

• 63% have a college degree.
• 31% have a graduate degree.
• 83% have received some form of Jewish education.

Aging

• The median age of Jews living in Metro Detroit is 47 years, compared to 39, the national median age of Jews.
• 24% of Jews in metro Detroit are 65 or older—14% are 75 and older, ranking the Detroit Jewish community as the "oldest" outside the nation’s top ten Sunbelt retirement communities.

Charitable

• 94% have donated to charitable causes in the last year.
• 56% have volunteered services to the community.

Stressing the importance of the study in planning for the community’s needs, Michael L. Stein who co-chairs the Detroit Jewish Population Steering Committee along with Dr. Lynda Giles, explained, "The data we have collected lays out some very clear challenges for Federation and its partner agencies in planning, prioritizing, and delivering community services moving forward. The information we have gleaned will be put to use to guide our decision-making process for years to come."

The Detroit Jewish Population Study was made possible through the generosity of The Jewish Fund, The Jewish Women’s Foundation, Shiffman Day School Tuition Assistance Fund, Bethea and Irwin Green College Life Fund, Irving A. Rubin Jewish Community Trust for the Elderly, Schulman Youth Group Initiative Fund, Madeleine and Mandell Berman, Nancy and James Grosfeld, the Detroit Jewish News, and the Federation Annual Campaign Reserve.

This is Federation: As the major instrument of Jewish philanthropy and volunteerism in the Detroit area, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit represents the community voice and means of support for the health, welfare, educational, spiritual and cultural needs of the Jewish people worldwide. Through the Annual Campaign drive and in partnership with the United Jewish Foundation, Federation raises and allocates funds to provide life-saving and life-enhancing humanitarian assistance to those in need, and to translate Jewish values into social action on behalf of Jews in the Detroit area.