1. Start with the geographic boundary that the dashboard must respect
Ann Arbor is recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau as a municipality in Washtenaw County. Its 2020–2024 ACS 5-year population estimate is 122,036, with a margin of error of 55. That figure describes the city’s population; it does not establish legal demand, search volume, competition, lead volume, cases or revenue. For a firm serving Ann Arbor, that distinction matters when someone asks whether a city, county or broader service area is producing inquiries. A dashboard should not blur Ann Arbor with Washtenaw County or treat every contact connected to the area as a signed matter.
Recommended approach
Define the geographic fields before reviewing performance. Decide whether an intake record should identify Ann Arbor, another Washtenaw County location, a different Michigan location or an unknown location. Ask how city information will be displayed alongside practice area, source and matter status. Use the Census geography as context for scope—not as evidence that a marketing channel is working.
