Detroit, Michigan (original) (raw)

This article is about the city in Michigan. There is another article on Detroit, Maine.

Detroit is a city located in Wayne County in the state of Michigan, in the Midwest region of the United States. As of 2002, the city has a total population of 925,051, down from 951,270 in the 2000 census, but still remaining as the ninth largest city in the country.

Located between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie, it is the seat of Wayne County. Detroit and its suburbs are the home of the modern American automobile industry, the Big Three: Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Chrysler as well as two national pizza chains. Detroit is also known for its musical heritage as it was the birthplace of Motown and has been highly influential in the origins of punk and techno music.

Detroit has several sister cities including Toyota, Japan; Minsk, Belarus; Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Nassau, Bahamas and Kitwe, Zambia.

History

Geography

Detroit is located on the north bank of the Detroit River, in southeastern Michigan. It lies north of Windsor, Ontario, leading to the saying in Detroit that Canadians are "our neighbor to the south". Two border crossings exist: the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel. A railroad tunnel also connects the two countries.

Detroit completely encircles the cities of Hamtramck and Highland Park.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 370.2 km² (142.9 mi²). 359.4 km² (138.8 mi²) of it is land and 10.8 km² (4.2 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.92% water.

Culture

Major parks include Belle Isle, Palmer Park, Rouge Park, Chene Park. Other city recreational facilities include municipal golf courses (William Rogell, Rouge, Belle Isle, Palmer Park), Northwest Activities Center, Detroit Zoo, Belle Isle Zoo, Belle Isle Aquarium. Cultural centers include Detroit Institute of Art, Museum of African American History, Detroit Science Center, Detroit Historical Museum, Motown Historical Museum, Tuskegee Airmen Museum, Historic Fort Wayne, Dossin Great Lakes Museum, and the Belle Isle Conservatory.

Detroit is home to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Opera House.

Folklore

Detroit is said to be home to the Nain Rouge, the red dwarf who is said to both attack people and more importantly be a harbinger of doom for the city.

Neighborhoods

Current and historic neighborhoods in Detroit include:Black Bottom, Corktown, Chaldean Town, Mexicantown, Poletown, Greektown, Indian Village, New Center, Old Redford, Palmer Woods, Rosedale Park, Warrendale, Springwells, and Del Ray.

External link: 106 neighborhoods in Detroit

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there are 951,270 people, 336,428 households, and 218,341 families residing in the city. The population density is 2,646.7/km² (6,855.1/mi²). There are 375,096 housing units at an average density of 1,043.6/km² (2,703.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 12.26% White, 81.55% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.97% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.54% from other races, and 2.32% from two or more races. 4.96% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 336,428 households out of which 33.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.7% are married couples living together, 31.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 35.1% are non-families. 29.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.77 and the average family size is 3.45.

In the city the population is spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city is 29,526,andthemedianincomeforafamilyis29,526, and the median income for a family is 29,526,andthemedianincomeforafamilyis33,853. Males have a median income of 33,381versus33,381 versus 33,381versus26,749 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,717. 26.1% of the population and 21.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 34.5% are under the age of 18 and 18.6% are 65 or older.

Major industries/products

Motor vehicles, computer software, casino gambling,

Taxes

In addition to property tax, the city levies income tax of 2.65% on residents, 1.325% on non-residents, and 1.6% on corporations.

Law and Government

Mayor and nine member city council, elected at-large on nonpartisan ballot. Municipal elections are held every year congruent to 1 modulo 4 (e.g., 1993, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2009, ...). Current mayor is Kwame Kilpatrick; earlier mayors are listed here.

Colleges and Universities

Sporting Teams

The Detroit International Marathon course crosses the border into Canada on a bridge and returns to America through a tunnel.

On December 13, 2003, the largest crowd in basketball history packed the Lions' home stadium, Ford Field, to watch Michigan State University play the University of Kentucky. Kentucky won 79-74 in front of 78,129 fans.

Airports

Festivals