MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Every ten years, the U.S. Census Bureau delivers mass amounts of data for cities, townships, counties, and states across the country. The latest figures date back to 2010 but the significance of the numbers still exist today.

After the Great Recession of 2008, Michigan suffered. Signs of the economy are improving now but one community has been able to look adversity in the face and grow from it.

Meridian Township, ever close by the State Capitol and neighbors to East Lansing has seen an increase to their population. Since 2000, the Township has seen a 1.69% rise in population obtaining 54 more residents while East Lansing (decrease of 62 people) and Lansing (decrease of 200 people) came up a little less full.

"Our community is really stable and this slight population increase is proof that we have a stable community and that we're doing good planning" Meridian Township Treasurer, Julie Brixie said.

Brixie attributes the slight growth to company mainstays such as Michigan State University, Sparrow Health Systems, Jackson National Life, and Delta Dental.

Meridian Township's population (based on 2010 U.S. Census figures) is at 39,688.