Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS) Series

Since 2016, the Detroit Metro Area Communities Study (DMACS) works to amplify the voices of Detroiters across the institutions shaping the future of the city. We do this by regularly collecting, analyzing, and disseminating high-quality public opinion data from a large, representative panel of Detroiters. This sample also includes one of the largest panel surveys of Black American respondents in the country. Our data, which contains detailed information from more than 4,500 individual Detroiters collected over 16 surveys, represents the most detailed and comprehensive source of information available about Detroiters’ experiences, perceptions, priorities, and aspirations.

DMACS has high-quality, representative data on topics including but not limited to:

• Neighborhood perceptions
• The significant housing cost burden faced by many Detroiters
• Detroiters’ views of reparations for Black Americans
• Health and healthcare
• Changes in local employment rates and patterns
• Household finances
• The issues that Detroiters wanted elected officials to prioritize leading up to the 2022 midterm elections

Data from all DMACS survey waves will be made available over time. In 2022 we expanded our data collection efforts to include additional Michigan communities. Thus far, the Michigan Metro Area Communities Study (MIMACS) has conducted surveys in Flint and Ypsilanti, Michigan. This data will also be archived here once curated.