BCVision uses data collected from the residents of every neighborhood in Battle Creek – spanning economic and cultural backgrounds – to truly involve the community and affect profound and positive change. We have been focused on gathering data to better understand the community’s assets, further define its challenges, and plot a path forward. The purpose of this dashboard is to monitor and measure progress of the BCVision initiative and Battle Creek.
We’ve worked purposefully through an equity lens to ensure the initiative’s efforts are centered on providing equitable opportunities for all residents – regardless of race, gender, socio-economic background, whether you are an immigrant or born in the United States. We are actively listening to all individuals in our community, as we are all one and together we are envisioning the future for Battle Creek. BCVision is building from, amplifying and accelerating successful and related efforts taking place locally and regionally. Learn more >
| Measure | Baseline (2015) | Current | Target (2025) | Trend | Michigan | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation rate Disaggregated | 60% | 60% | 63% Rationale: This is the median labor force participation rate among a set of nine Midwestern cities of comparable size, demographics, and education levels; it is also the rate seen statewide in 2010. Source: PolicyLink analysis of demographic data from the US Census. |
61% | ||
| White | 60% | 59% | - | 62% | ||
| Black | 57% | 59% | - | 58% | ||
| Latino | 74% | 68% | - | 67% | ||
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 66% | 64% | - | 57% | ||
| Asian | 67% | 71% | - | 63% | ||
| Some other race | 86% | 56% | - | 67% | ||
| Two or more races | 53% | 61% | - | 61% | ||
| Unemployment rate Disaggregated | 12% | 10% | 6% Rationale: This is the second lowest unemployment rate among a set of nine Midwestern cities of comparable size, demographics, and education levels; we chose this instead of the median given the fast decline in the unemployment rate in recent years.Source: PolicyLink analysis of demographic data from the US Census. |
9% | ||
| White | 11% | 9% | - | 7% | ||
| Black | 19% | 16% | - | 18% | ||
| Latino | 7% | 4% | - | 11% | ||
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 7% | 7% | - | 13% | ||
| Asian | N/A | N/A | - | 6% | ||
| Some other race | 8% | 7% | - | 11% | ||
| Two or more races | 24% | 16% | - | 15% | ||
| Median household income Disaggregated | $37,250 | $38,216 | $56,710 Rationale: This is the income needed to meet minimum standards given the cost of living in Calhoun County. Source: MIT Living Wage Calculator: Calhoun County (1 adult and 2 children). |
$50,803 | ||
| White | $40,937 | $41,783 | $54,331 | |||
| Black | $24,021 | $24,422 | $30,732 | |||
| Latino | $31,034 | $38,023 | $41,318 | |||
| Asian | $61,752 | $61,146 | $76,370 | |||
| Some other race | $26,512 | $40,000 | $38,461 | |||
| Two or more races | $21,255 | $25,917 | $38,157 | |||
| Disposable income (coming in May 2019) | ||||||
| Small businesses (per 1,000 residents) | 19 | 18 | 24 Rationale: Battle Creek currently has the 8th lowest rate of small businesses among a set of nine Midwestern cities of comparable size, demographics, and education levels; achieving this target would move Battle Creek into third place. Source: PolicyLink analysis of demographic and small business data from the US Census. |
22 | ||
| Small businesses (number) (coming in December 2019) |
| Measure | Baseline (2015) | Current | Target (2025) | Trend | Michigan | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public preschool enrollment (percentage) Disaggregated | 34% | 35% | 100% Rationale: “High quality universal pre-K for three- and four-year-olds could significantly reduce the financial burden facing families with young children and help ensure that children are prepared for kindergarten.” When universal PreK is articulated as a goal, it largely can be achieved, as evidenced in states such as WV, VT, WI, AL, NY, IL. Source: https://www.newamerica.org/in-depth/care-report/policy-recommendations-universal-pre-k/; http://nieer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/YB2017_Executive-Summary.pdf |
17% | ||
| White | 26% | 26% | 14% | |||
| Black | 38% | 37% | 29% | |||
| Latino | 19% | 40% | 22% | |||
| Public preschool enrollment (number) Disaggregated | 483 | 474 | 1,356 Rationale: “High quality universal pre-K for three- and four-year-olds could significantly reduce the financial burden facing families with young children and help ensure that children are prepared for kindergarten.” When universal PreK is articulated as a goal, it largely can be achieved, as evidenced in states such as WV, VT, WI, AL, NY, IL. Source: https://www.newamerica.org/in-depth/care-report/policy-recommendations-universal-pre-k/;http://nieer.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/YB2017_Executive-Summary.pdf |
37,760 | ||
| White | 204 | 190 | 21,318 | |||
| Black | 114 | 103 | 11,472 | |||
| Latino | 27 | 48 | 4,218 | |||
| Kindergarten readiness (Battle Creek public schools only) | 24% | 30% | 100% Rationale: During kindergarten children develop foundational skills for math and reading. A goal of 100% of Battle Creek kindergartners scoring above the 50th percentile nationally on the MAP assessment ensures that all children are set up for academic success. Source: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/about-us/article/head-start-program-facts |
N/A | ||
| 3rd-Grade Reading Proficiency Disaggregated | 36% | 32% | 62% Rationale: Third-grade reading proficiency predicts future educational success. Measuring proficiency early allows for timely interventions to improve a child’s reading skills. 60% is the average third-grade reading proficiency of the top 25 best cities to raise a family. Source: PolicyLink analysis of demographic data from the US Census and the 25 best cities list from SmartAsset.com. |
44% | ||
| White | 43% | 40% | 52% | |||
| Black | 15% | 8% | 19% | |||
| Latino | 25% | 25% | 33% | |||
| Asian | 46% | 46% | 64% | |||
| Two or More Races | 31% | 19% | 42% | |||
| 3rd-Grade Math Proficiency Disaggregated | 36% | 36% | 70% Rationale: Third-grade math proficiency predicts future educational success. Measuring proficiency early allows for timely interventions to improve a child’s math skills. 70% is the average third-grade reading proficiency of the top 25 best cities to raise a family. Source: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-best-cities-to-raise-a-family |
46% | ||
| White | 43% | 46% | 54% | |||
| Black | 15% | 11% | 19% | |||
| Latino | 25% | 26% | 33% | |||
| Asian | 46% | 65% | 73% | |||
| Two or More Races | 31% | 42% | 42% | |||
| 8th-Grade Reading Proficiency Disaggregated | 46% | 30% | 56% | 43% | ||
| White | 45% | 34% | 48% | |||
| Black | 21% | 11% | 20% | |||
| Latino | 36% | 11% | 31% | |||
| Asian or Pacific Islander | 49% | 60% | 69% | |||
| Two or More Races | 42% | 26% | 40% | |||
| 8th-Grade Math Proficiency Disaggregated | 29% | 21% | 42% Rationale: 75th percentile of M-Step test scores (SY16-17), as MI Math tests for G6-8 are aligned with and “correspond to the College and Career Readiness (CCR) anchor standards.” Note: range is 5%-93%. Source: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/Mathematics_Grade_8_Crosswalk_Claims-Targets-Standards_502014_7.pdf |
34% | ||
| White | 36% | 24% | 39% | |||
| Black | 7% | 4% | 11% | |||
| Latino | 16% | 9% | 20% | |||
| Asian or Pacific Islander | 39% | 43% | 68% | |||
| Two or More Races | 23% | 17% | 29% | |||
| On-time high school graduation Disaggregated | 84% | 87% | 90% Rationale: High school graduation helps predict how well teens are prepared for further education and employment and has wide-ranging health, social and economic impacts. 90% is the highest rate of on-time high school graduation in the top 25 cities to raise a family. Source: https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-best-cities-to-raise-a-family |
81% | ||
| White | 84% | 87% | 84% | |||
| Black | 78% | 82% | 70% | |||
| Latino | 84% | 90% | 74% | |||
| Asian | N/A | 87% | 73% | |||
| Two or More Races | 90% | 89% | 81% |
| Measure | Baseline (2015) | Current | Target (2025) | Trend | Michigan | Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime rate (per 1,000 people) | 30 | 32 | 10 Rationale: Crimes are not only costly to the victims and families affected, but also on the community through lower property values and higher taxes. A crime rate of 10 would place Battle Creek in the 75th percentile of the top 10 safest cities. Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/crime-and-corrections/public-safety |
12 | ||
| Low birth-weight babies Disaggregated | 8.0% | 10.4% | 7.8% Rationale: This is the median labor force participation rate among a set of nine Midwestern cities of comparable size, demographics, and education levels; it is also the rate seen statewide in 2010. Source: PolicyLink analysis of demographic data from the US Census. |
9% | ||
| White | 7% | 8% | 7.1% | |||
| Black | 12% | 19.1% | 14.4% | |||
| Latino | N/A | 7.4% | 7.4% | |||
| All other races | 3% | 0% | 8.1% | |||
| Homeownership Disaggregated | 60% | 60% | 64% Rationale: 64% is the national average for Homeownership Rate. As Battle Creek works to attract and retain millennials, and create a dynamic and progressive workforce, the target should reflect the national trend for housing this workforce. Source: https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/battlecreekcitymichigan,mi,calhouncountymichigan,US/AGE295217 |
71% | ||
| White | 65% | 65% | 76% | |||
| Black | 41% | 40% | 42% | |||
| Latino | 51% | 60% | 55% | |||
| American Indian or Alaskan Native | 62% | 55% | 60% | |||
| Asian | 63% | 65% | 58% | |||
| Some other race | 48% | 63% | 53% | |||
| Two or more races | 31% | 30% | 53% | |||
| Workers living in Battle Creek | 27% | N/A |
