Detroit

by The Linguist

Detroit, Michigan

Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. According to the 2020 census, Detroit has a population of 639,111, making it the 26th most populous city in the United States. The city is known as the center of the U.S. automobile industry and has had a huge influence on music, with Motown Records and techno music getting their start in Detroit according to Wikipedia.

History

Founded in 1701 by French colonists, Detroit is one of the oldest cities in the Midwest. It started as a small fur trading post and slowly grew into a major industrial hub in the early 20th century as the auto industry took hold. Detroit’s proximity to Canada and its location on the Detroit River played key roles in its growth as a port city and transportation hub.

With immigration from Europe and the American South, Detroit’s population exploded in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was the 4th largest city in America by 1920. The building of the Ambassador Bridge in 1929 further connected Detroit to Windsor, Canada. However, racial tensions and unrest followed as African Americans migrated to the city from the South as part of the Great Migration.

As with many major urban centers in the Midwest, Detroit experienced decline in the late 20th century due to suburbanization, loss of industrial and manufacturing jobs, and racial tensions. The city declared bankruptcy in 2013 but has since made progress in revitalizing downtown and some neighborhoods.

Economy

For much of the 20th century, the economy of Detroit was primarily based around the automobile industry. Major companies like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler were headquartered in the Detroit area. Automobile manufacturing drove growth in the city for the first half of the century. According to the Detroit Free Press, automobiles still account for approximately 20% of the regional economy today.

However, Detroit has worked to diversify its economy in recent decades. Key industries today include healthcare and life sciences, information technology, manufacturing, and finance/business services. Major employers in Detroit include Henry Ford Health System, the Detroit Medical Center, Quicken Loans, General Motors, Wayne State University, and the City of Detroit government according to the Greater Detroit Partnership.

Geography and Population

Detroit is located in Southeastern Michigan along the Canadian border. The city sits on the Detroit River which connects Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie. The city covers approximately 139 square miles of land according to the City of Detroit at 2 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226. Phone: (313) 224-3000.

Detroit resides primarily in Wayne County. Contact Wayne County at waynecounty.com, 410 E. Fort St, Detroit, MI 48226. Phone: (313) 224-6000.

Detroit Public Schools serves most of the city. See detroitk12.org or call (313) 240-4377 for more information.

As mentioned previously, Detroit has a population of 639,111 as of 2020. It reached a peak of 1.85 million residents in 1950. Detroit is currently the 23rd largest city by area in the United States.

Culture and Landmarks

Some of Detroit’s most notable cultural institutions and landmarks include:

  • The Detroit Institute of Arts – One of the most significant art museums in the United States at 5200 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48202. Phone: (313) 833-7900. Website
  • Hitsville U.S.A. – Famous Motown Records headquarters now converted into a museum at 2648 West Grand Boulevard, Detroit, MI 48208. Phone: (313) 875-2264. Website
  • Comerica Park – Home of the Detroit Tigers MLB team at 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. Website
  • Fox Theatre – Historic performing arts center at 2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201. Phone: (313) 471-7000. Website
  • Belle Isle – 982 acre island park in the Detroit River. Website

GPS coordinates for landmarks:

  • The Spirit of Detroit: 42.331500° N, 83.046382° W
  • Hart Plaza: 42.3301° N, 83.0484° W
  • Coleman A. Young Municipal Center: 42.332753° N, 83.045131° W

Some key resources for visitors and residents of Detroit: