In this post we examine rates in the region related to fertility and pregnancy including abortion and birth rates. In all four of the maps shown below, Wayne County’s rates are above the state average are also the highest in the region. All rates were obtained from the Michigan Department of Community Health and are based on birth rates per 1,000 residents for population ages 15-44.

The fertility rate is defined as the number of live births per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

For the State of Michigan, the average fertility rate in 2013 was 59.3. Wayne County was the only county in the seven-county region whose fertility rate was higher than the state average at 64.8. Washtenaw County had the lowest fertility rate at 44.0.

The pregnancy rate is defined as the sum of live births, abortions and estimated miscarriages per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. In 2013, Macomb and Wayne Counties both reported pregnancy rates above the state average of 85.9, although Macomb County was only slightly above average, with a rate of 86.6. Wayne County’s rate was more than 20 points above the state average at 109.9.

The birth rate is defined as the number of live births per 1,000 residents, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.  The state average for the birth rate in 2013, was 11.4. Wayne County’s birth rate was the only county in the region above the state average at 13.1. Monroe and Livingston counties had the lowest birth rates in the region, with both reporting at 9.2.

Earlier this year, several local media outlets reported on Detroit’s high abortion rate. To read more, click here.