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Berkley, Michigan

Berkley is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit on the Woodward Corridor, Berkley is located roughly 14 mi northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 15,194.

History
Prior to settlement, the land which would become Berkley consisted largely of dense forests and some isolated pockets of swampland. Many in the region deemed the areas north and west of Detroit as uninhabitable or impassible due to the harshness of the swamps beyond Detroit, but as adventurers pushed out through the interminable swamp, they found beautiful scenery beyond the wet prairie of Northern Wayne County. As it became well known that there was "fine farming country" to the north and west of Detroit, great excitement was raised and people began to flock to what was then all known as Royal Oak. Land in what would later become Berkley began being sold to farmers who cut down forests and otherwise prepared the land for farming. By the 1840s, Berkley contained a great number of dairy farms. The 1910s brought significant growth to the area with the completion of the Highland Park Ford Plant. As farms were sold and turned into subdivisions, there was pressure to formally incorporate the land. In 1923, Berkley was incorporated as a village. At the time, Elmer Cromie had named the road that ran through his farm Berkley and the "Berkley School" was then under construction, so the name Berkley was chosen for the village.

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 brought growth in Berkley to a halt. Roughly 90% of the 5,558 residents in Berkley lost their jobs when the market crashed. Within a year, the city's population was dropping and in 1932 voters chose to incorporate their Village into a City to gain more oversight over taxes and other issues facing the community. In the 1940s, suburbanization and the post-war boom economy drove significant development in the area. The current Berkley High School was built in 1949. The city reached a population peak of 23,375 in 1960. In 1993, the Berkley Theater, long a symbol of moviegoers in the area, closed down and became a Rite Aid drug store.

Berkley Center
In July 1964, an enclosed shopping mall was planned to be built, stretching east to west from Coolidge Highway to Kipling Avenue, and 12 Mile Rd to Wiltshire Rd, North to South. The plan would involve buying and demolishing 114 homes and businesses. The plan eventually collapsed.

Culture
Downtown Berkley stretches along 12 Mile Road between Greenfield Road and Coolidge Highway, and along Coolidge Highway between 12 Mile Road and 11 Mile Road. Downtown Berkley is home to many restaurants, boutiques, clothing stores, and retail shops. Berkley's municipal offices, public library, and public safety headquarters are located near the intersection of 12 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway. Downtown Berkley hosts an annual Art Bash, which drew roughly 10,000 people to the city's commercial sector in 2016. The Art Bash brings local artists from all over Michigan to sell art from photographs, garden art, jewelry and pottery to clothing accessories and paintings. Local stores and shops also participate in the festivities holding sidewalk sales. The city is an active participant in the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, a popular classic car showcase in the Metro Detroit area. Berkley hosts a classic car parade Downtown, called the Berkley CruiseFest. It holds the festivities one day before the official date of the Dream Cruise, and has done so every year since 1995.

In addition to the Downtown festivities, the city holds an annual Summerfest and Winterfest through the city Parks and Recreation department and partnerships with volunteers and community organizations. The City of Berkley is home to many neighborhood parks and a large central community center, which is located on Catalpa Drive, just east of Anderson Middle School. For decades, Berkley Parks and Recreation operated an ice arena at their central facility, but this was closed in 2016 due to a coolant leak in the facility. In 2019, the Berkley Ice Arena was demolished.

The city of Berkley was planned and exists as an inner-ring suburb of Detroit. The majority of its streets connect on a grid pattern and typical lots are small by suburban standards. This is viewed by the residents as fostering a tight-knit community. This has led to the community becoming an increasingly popular suburb, being among the healthiest housing markets in Michigan and the United States, but despite this Berkley is still considered affordable by Money.com, which rated Berkley as the 28th-best place to live for the money, in the United States due to its "small-town feel" within Metro Detroit and its "easily walkable downtown".

Geography
Berkley lies within Southeastern Oakland County. It is adjacent to the cities of Huntington Woods and Oak Park to the south, Southfield to the west, and Royal Oak to the north and east.

Berkley is bordered by Woodward Avenue (M-1) on the east, Webster Road on the North, Greenfield Road on the west, and 11 Mile Road on the south. The southern border of the city is 3 miles north of the Detroit city limits, which are bounded by Eight Mile Road. Berkley is intersected by 12 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway, and though no Interstates run through the city, Interstate 75 and Interstate 696 are major thoroughfares near the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.62 sqmi, all land.

2020 Census and 2021 American Community Survey
As of the 2020 Census, there were 15,194 people, and 7,067 households in the city, with an average of 2.15 persons per household. The racial makeup of the city was 88.0% White, 3.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18, and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

According to the 2021 American Community Survey, the median age in Berkley was 37.2 years. 3.7% of the population was foreign born, and veterans accounted for 4.7% of the population. The median household income was $96,993, and 4.3% of the population lived below the poverty line.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 14,970 people, 6,594 households, and 3,896 families residing in the city. The population density was 5713.7 PD/sqmi. There were 6,933 housing units at an average density of 2646.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 93.3% White, 3.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 6,594 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.95.

The median age in the city was 37.9 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.7% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 15,531 people, 6,678 households, and 4,020 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,925.5 PD/sqmi. There were 6,833 housing units at an average density of 2,607.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.09% White, 0.70% African American, 0.24% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.

There were 6,678 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 38.2% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $57,620, and the median income for a family was $66,968. Males had a median income of $50,276 versus $36,624 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,504. About 2.5% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Schools
The Berkley School District operates in almost all of Berkley, all of Huntington Woods, and the north section of Oak Park. The school district includes four elementary schools (Angell, Burton, Pattengill, and Rogers), one Kindergarten-8th grade school (Norup International), one middle school (Anderson), and one high school (Berkley High School). From 2008 to 2016, Berkley High School has been named by Newsweek on its list of 1,000 Best High Schools in the nation. In 2008, it ranked among the top six in Michigan, and in 2017 The Washington Post rated it as one of the most challenging high schools in the nation, making it one of three Oakland County high schools to earn the distinction. Norup became an International Baccalaureate Candidate school in 2006 implementing the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) for all students. Homeowners in the first block west of Woodward and in the first five streets north of Eleven Mile Road are serviced by the Royal Oak Public Schools.

A former elementary school, Avery, was converted into the Berkley School District's Building Blocks program for infants through pre-school. The program is nationally accredited, one of among only 8% accredited centers in the country. Building Blocks was also previously housed at Tyndall Center, the building now serves as the district board office. In 2015, Pattengill was placed on the list of National Blue Ribbon School's. Angell is currently the oldest continuously operating elementary school in Oakland County, having opened in 1921. For decades, Berkley School District has been the principal employer in the city, with 718 employees as of 2021.

Another former school, Our Lady of La Salette School, was established in 1943. Initially 100 students attended. Beginning in 1947, the school building opened in three phases, with completion in 1953. In the 1960s it had over 1,000 students, its highest number ever. From the 2008–2009 school year until the 2012–2013 school year the student body numbers declined by 47%, with the final student count at 73. It closed in 2013. In 2018, Berkley city council rejected a proposal to convert the building into apartments. This decision was later reversed, and the building reopened as The Ivy in 2023.

Notable people

 * Curtis Armstrong, actor (Booger in the Revenge of the Nerds movies; Herbert Viola on Moonlighting, Ahmet Ertegün in Ray); graduated from Berkley High School
 * Joseph Bruce, rapper and producer (Insane Clown Posse); born in Berkley
 * Marshall Crenshaw, singer, songwriter, and actor (Someday, Someway); portrayed Buddy Holly in La Bamba; graduated from Berkley High School (1971)
 * Bruce Flowers, pro basketball player selected by Cleveland Cavaliers 26th overall in 1979 NBA draft, had most of his success overseas, playing for Italian squads; graduated from Berkley High School
 * J. Fred Lawton, lyricist, poet, and businessman; closely associated with University of Michigan, produced "Varsity," which became a University of Michigan fight song, and played football under legendary coach Fielding H. Yost; lived in Berkley
 * Sander Levin, U.S. Congressman, first Chairman of Berkley Democratic Club, played instrumental role in building Berkley Public Library
 * Katherine Nye, Olympic weightlifter lives in Berkley
 * Owain Phyfe, musician and producer; lived in Berkley
 * Jim Seymour, wide receiver for Notre Dame and Chicago Bears; born in Berkley
 * Jim Starlin, comic book artist and novelist; graduated from Berkley High School (1967)
 * Rob Tyner, lead singer for proto-punk band MC5; lived and died in Berkley

title: Berkley, Michigan


text:
Beverly Hills, Michigan

Beverly Hills is a village of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, it is within Southfield Township, roughly 20 mi northwest of downtown Detroit. In the 2020 census, it has a population of 10,599, the most populous village in the state by a wide margin.

History
The area was incorporated as a village named Westwood in 1958. It was incorporated in the same year as the much larger city of Southfield to the south. By incorporating as a village, it prevented the area from being annexed into the city and allowed the village to retains its own autonomy. In 1959, the village changed its name to Beverly Hills.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 4.02 sqmi, of which 4.00 sqmi is land and 0.02 sqmi is water, most of which is the main branch of the Rouge River.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,267 people, 4,038 households, and 2,888 families living in the village. The population density was 2566.8 PD/sqmi. There were 4,212 housing units at an average density of 1053.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 89.2% White, 6.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 4,038 households, of which 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.5% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.5% were non-families. 24.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the village was 44.7 years. 25.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 32.1% were from 45 to 64; and 17.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 10,437 people, 4,085 households, and 2,998 families living in the village. The population density was 2,603.6 PD/sqmi. There were 4,196 housing units at an average density of 1,046.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 93.21% White, 3.05% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.85% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.

There were 4,085 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 4.0% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $90,341, and the median income for a family was $102,223. Males had a median income of $80,283 versus $49,265 for females. The per capita income for the village was $43,452. About 1.7% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and 2.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Beverly Hills is a part of the Birmingham Public School District. It is home to several public schools: Groves High School, Berkshire Middle School, Beverly Elementary, and Greenfield Elementary.

The upper school and administrative offices of the Detroit Country Day School, a private prep school, are in Beverly Hills. The school's middle school campus is also in Beverly Hills.

The French School of Detroit holds its middle school classes at Berkshire Middle School, and high school classes at Groves High School. Beverly Elementary School provides classes for FSD elementary school students.

Kensington Academy, a Catholic PK-8 school, previously had its campus in Beverly Hills. In 2006 the school announced that it was merging into the Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Recreation

 * Beverly Hills Athletic Club - summer swim and tennis club
 * Beverly Hills Club - indoor tennis and fitness club
 * Woodside Athletic Club - summer swim and tennis club

Notable people

 * Jordan Gruber (born 1983), American-Israeli soccer player
 * Mike Posner, singer and songwriter who attended Groves High School
 * Charles Erwin Wilson (born 1890), U.S. Medal of Freedom Recipient, 5th U.S. Secretary of Defense, and President/CEO of General Motors interred at Acacia Park Cemetery (a Masonic cemetery)

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Beverly Hills, Michigan


text:
Bingham Farms, Michigan

Bingham Farms is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Bingham Farms is located within Southfield Township, roughly 20 mi northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the village had a population of 1,124.

History
Originally settled in 1823 by John Daniels of Rutland, Vermont, the tiny settlement in what was soon to become Southfield Township in 1830 would stay isolated and small until Telegraph Road was brought through the area in 1928. In the early 1950s, citizens in the southern part of the township sought to have the entire township incorporated as a city. Seeking to retain their individual characters and guard against annexation, the settlements in the northern end raced to incorporate as villages. Bingham Farms was incorporated on October 4, 1955, named after a prominent family present in the village since 1880. All roads in the village remained unpaved until 1984 to discourage intensive development.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.21 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,111 people, 527 households, and 332 families living in the village. The population density was 918.2 PD/sqmi. There were 549 housing units at an average density of 453.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 85.2% White, 7.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.4% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.9% of the population.

There were 527 households, of which 16.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 3.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 24.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.67.

The median age in the village was 59.7 years. 15.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 2.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 9.8% were from 25 to 44; 33.1% were from 45 to 64; and 39.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,030 people, 445 households, and 339 families living in the village. The population density was 858.2 PD/sqmi. There were 477 housing units at an average density of 397.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.46% White, 5.44% African American, 1.46% Asian, 0.19% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.

There were 445 households, out of which 19.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.0% were married couples living together, 3.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.65.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 15.9% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 16.0% from 25 to 44, 36.6% from 45 to 64, and 28.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $123,771, and the median income for a family was $138,806. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $55,556 for females. The per capita income for the village was $74,588. None of the families and 0.9% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

Education
Students are zoned to the Birmingham City School District. Bingham Farms Elementary School is in Bingham Farms.

The French School of Detroit (FSD) holds its middle school classes at Berkshire Middle School in neighboring Beverly Hills. Bingham Farms Elementary School provides classes for FSD elementary school students.

Business
The Bingham Farms Office District extends from the east side of Telegraph Road, comprising a mix of two and four-storey buildings. Businesses include the headquarters of Global Commercial Credit.

title: Bingham Farms, Michigan


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Tim Chandler

Tim Chandler (February 3, 1960 – October 8, 2018) was an American bass guitar player, best known for his work with the rock bands Daniel Amos, The Swirling Eddies (credited as Berger Roy Al) and The Choir.

Chandler was also a session musician in the Los Angeles and Nashville circuit, recording and touring for artists such as Randy Stonehill, Tonio K, Isaac Air Freight, Mike Stand, Phil Keaggy, Chuck Girard, Pierce Pettis, Tom Howard, John Austin, Lost Dogs, Fernando Ortega, and Riki Michele.

In 2000, when Daniel Amos was recording its Mr. Buechner's Dream album, Chandler and a few friends decided to make a documentary of the making of the album. That footage, which showed the band rehearsing and recording songs for the album, was later edited together and released on the DVD, The Making of Mr. Buechner's Dream.

Chandler died on October 8, 2018, aged 58, of natural causes.

title: Tim Chandler


text:
Birmingham, Michigan

Birmingham is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a northern suburb of Detroit located along the Woodward Corridor (M-1). As of the 2010 census, the population was 20,103.

History
The area comprising what is now the city of Birmingham was part of land ceded by Native American tribes to the United States government by the 1807 Treaty of Detroit. However, settlement was delayed, first by the War of 1812. Afterward the Surveyor-General of the United States, Edward Tiffin, made an unfavorable report regarding the placement of Military Bounty Lands for veterans of the War of 1812. Tiffin's report claimed that, because of marsh, in this area "There would not be an acre out of a hundred, if there would be one out of a thousand that would, in any case, admit cultivation." In 1818, Territorial Governor Lewis Cass led a group of men along the Indian Trail. The governor's party discovered that the swamp was not as extensive as Tiffin had supposed. Not long after Cass issued a more encouraging report about the land, interest quickened as to its suitability for settlement.

The earliest land entry was made on January 28, 1819, by Colonel Benjamin Kendrick Pierce (brother of future U.S. President Franklin Pierce) for the northwest quarter of section 36. Colonel Pierce visited his land several times, but never settled on it. In March 1818, John W. Hunter and his brother Daniel left Auburn, New York, by sleigh and traveled to Michigan by way of Upper Canada. They waited in Detroit for their father and other family members, who arrived by schooner via Lake Erie in July. The family remained in Detroit until spring 1819, when Hunter made an entry for the northeast quarter of section 36, now in the southeast section of current-day Birmingham. Lacking a proper land survey, Hunter mistakenly built his log house on a tract later purchased by Elijah Willits. That house was later occupied by William Hall, a son-in-law of Elisha Hunter, while John W. Hunter built another log house a short distance to the southeast. On September 25, 1821, Elijah Willits made a land entry for the southwest quarter of section 25. Two days later, Major John Hamilton made an entry for the southeast quarter of section 25. Each of these initial land entries met at what is now the intersection of Maple Road and Pierce Street.

For a time, all three men, John W. Hunter, Hamilton, and Willits, operated hotels and taverns from their houses within a short distance from each other. While Hunter did not continue for very long, Hamilton and Willits continued a rivalry for many years, competing with each other for business from travelers on Woodward Avenue between Detroit and Pontiac. The growing settlement was known variously as "Hamilton's", "Hunter's", or "Willits'"; it was later known as "Piety Hill".

The settlement's original plat was surveyed and recorded on August 25, 1836, in the northwest quarter of section 36, then owned by Rosewell T. Merrill, who also ran the town foundry and the thrashing machine factory. Merrill named his plat "Birmingham" after Birmingham, England; he envisioned that it would also become a great industrial center. Elijah Willits recorded a plat on his property on December 20, 1837. John W. Hunter followed suit with two plats on his property on January 31, 1840, and June 21, 1842, while Major Hamilton laid out a plat on October 7, 1846. Several other properties were subsequently platted as additions. The plats made in 1836 and 1837 were in anticipation of completion of the Detroit and Pontiac Railroad.

Now known as 'Birmingham', the village first received mail through the "Bloomfield" post office. Birmingham established its own post office on April 5, 1838. The settlement incorporated as a village in 1864, comprising the northern half of section 36 and the southern half of section 25, with a total land area of one square mile. The first village elections were held March 1, 1864. It was soon governed by a seven-man board of trustees, who appointed a marshal and a treasurer. Birmingham re-incorporated as a city in 1933. Prior to this, the area just north of 14 Mile along Woodward was known as "Eco City".

The names of the city's founders appear throughout Birmingham in civic institutions and commercial businesses: Pierce Elementary School, Hunter House Hamburgers (which was located on the road formerly known as Hunter Boulevard, which bypassed downtown to the east and was renamed Woodward, with the original Woodward Avenue section renamed Old Woodward), Hamilton Hotel, Willits Building, and Merrill Street. Hall & Hunter Realtors adopted their name in honor of the builder and occupier of Birmingham's first home.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.80 sqmi, of which 4.79 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

Birmingham is bordered by Bloomfield Hills on the northwest, Royal Oak on the southeast, Bloomfield Charter Township on the west and north, Southfield Township on the south, and Troy on the northeast.

2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 21,813 people, and 9,383 households residing in the city.

Birmingham enjoys high education rates, with 77.9% of adults having obtained a bachelor's degree, or higher. Birmingham has 11,243 employed people above the age of 16, of which 7,748 are employed in "Management, business, science, and arts" including 3,926 in "Management, business, and financial occupations".

Birmingham's median household income is $151,556, and with a median family income of $233,988.

English is spoken in the home by 89.6% of households. Birmingham's residents include 10.8% that are foreign born, 64.1% of which are naturalized U.S. Citizens.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 20,103 people, 9,039 households, and 5,307 families living in the city. The population density was 4196.9 PD/sqmi. There were 9,979 housing units at an average density of 2083.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.3% White, 3.0% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 9,039 households, of which 29.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.3% were non-families. 36.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 41.1 years. 24.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 30.1% were from 45 to 64; and 13.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,291 people, 9,131 households, and 5,076 families living in the city. The population density was 4,038.4 PD/sqmi. There were 9,700 housing units at an average density of 2,030.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.13% White, 0.91% African American, 0.15% Native American, 1.50% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.19% of the population.

There were 9,131 households, out of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.6% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.4% were non-families. 38.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 34.9% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $80,861, and the median income for a family was $110,627. Males had a median income of $78,865 versus $51,834 for females. The per capita income for the city was $59,314. About 1.6% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.5% of those under age 18 and 3.3% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture
Settlers founded the First United Methodist Church in 1821 and conducted services in Elijah Willets' tavern. Its current structure was built in 1839; it is now the oldest church building in the city. Other houses of worship represent many religions.

George H. Mitchell and Almeron Whitehead were two of a small group of bachelors who had formed a club called The Eccentrics; they published a newspaper of the same name, issuing the first edition on May 2, 1878. At a price of 2 cents, The Eccentric provided a "live home paper, replete with all the news of the day", with considerable emphasis on the "local items of importance occurring in Birmingham and immediate vicinity". By the turn of the 20th century, The Eccentric ran advertisements for Detroit stores and theaters, as well as offers of property and houses suitable for the "commuter". In the 1920s, the slogan of The Eccentric was "For a Bigger and Better Birmingham". Today, the Birmingham Eccentric newspaper continues its role as reporter of the community's local news.

In 1923, a group of friends formed The Village Players of Birmingham, a private theatre club. Originally, performances were given in the community house. In 1928 the group commissioned their own theater just outside the downtown area. Today this all-volunteer group is open to everyone and puts on five shows each year.

Birmingham's Community House, opened in 1923, is located in downtown Birmingham. It is a non-sectarian, non-partisan venue used for meetings, banquets, weddings and other celebrations.

In 2008, the Birmingham Little League won the nine- to ten-year-old Little League state championship. The team beat Western Little League 12–5 to earn the title.

Parks and recreation
The city has more than twenty parks, with many amenities, including tennis and pickleball courts, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, golf courses, sledding hills, nature trails, picnic areas, and deep woods. Shain Park, the city's main commons, is the site of the Village Fair, art shows, summer music concerts and numerous community events. At the center stands Freedom of the Human Spirit sculpted by Marshall Fredericks.

Education
The Birmingham City School District administers several nationally accredited schools, including Seaholm High School and Groves High School. Roeper School has a campus on Adams Road.

The Holy Name School is a co-educational parochial school founded by the Roman Catholic Holy Name Church. It educates children grades pre-K to 8. The private school was established in 1928, along with a convent for IHM nuns. (That has since closed.) The church and school continue to operate in conjunction today.

Pierce Elementary School in Birmingham provides classes for elementary school students of the French School of Detroit.

The Japanese School of Detroit (JSD), a supplementary school for Japanese citizens, first began holding classes in Birmingham in 1987, when its operation at Seaholm High started. It began holding classes at Covington School in 1989, and it also had classes at West Maple Elementary. At one point its school offices were in Birmingham. In 2010 the school announced it was moving its operations to Novi.

Public library
The Baldwin Public Library serves the city of Birmingham and nearby communities of Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Bloomfield Hills. The original building first opened to the public on December 19, 1927. In October 1959, an extension for the Youth Department was added to the east side of the building. In 1983, another addition opened, changing the entrance to Merrill Street. There are over 120,000 books in the library, along with CDs, DVDs, periodicals, educational toys, databases and free Wi-Fi.

The library is named after Martha Baldwin, a civic leader and lifelong resident of Birmingham who was instrumental in establishing the first library. She also helped get improvements such as sidewalks laid for the business section, street lights, seats placed at interurban transit stops, flowers and trees planted, and trash baskets placed at the street corners.

Transportation
Birmingham was a stagecoach stop in the 19th century between Detroit and Pontiac. In 1839, the railroad tracks were extended to Birmingham with two steam trains a day running to Detroit.

On June 18, 1896, the Oakland Railway, the electric interurban, was constructed to Birmingham; it provided service to Detroit in 40 minutes. This service ended in 1931 as many passengers switched to the commuter rail and automobiles.

Amtrak provides long-distance passenger rail service on the Pontiac–Detroit–Chicago Wolverine. It stops in Birmingham three times per day in each direction at the Birmingham, Michigan Amtrak station. Class one freight rail service is provided by Canadian National Railway (CN).

By 1931, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad (GTW) moved the railroad tracks to their present location. It provided commuter rail service from Pontiac to downtown Detroit with a stop in Birmingham. The Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA) took control of this service in 1974 but it was ended on October 17, 1983, after subsidies were discontinued. Efforts continue to this day to restore such service.

In the 21st century, the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) and the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operate local and regional bus transit.

Notable people

 * Tim Allen, actor (raised in Birmingham)
 * Shane Battier, basketball player for four NBA teams
 * Mike Binder, film director, screenwriter and actor
 * Randal Bryant, dean, Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science
 * Elaine Crosby, pro golfer
 * Patricia Ellis, 1930s film actress, born in Birmingham
 * Virgil Exner, automobile designer
 * Marshall Fredericks, sculptor
 * Wallace Frost, architect
 * Pat Gillick, Baseball Hall of Famer
 * Clarence Dayton Hillman, businessman
 * Laura Innes, actress (attended Seaholm High School)
 * Calvin Johnson, former NFL wide receiver
 * Christine Lahti, Emmy-winning, Oscar-nominated actress
 * Alexi Lalas, former pro soccer player
 * Anita Lo, restaurateur
 * Kurt Luedtke, journalist and Oscar award-winning screenwriter
 * Michael J. Malik Sr., businessman
 * Alonzo L. McDonald business man and philanthropist
 * Gerald S. McGowan, US ambassador to Portugal
 * Ruth McNamee, Michigan state legislator and Mayor of Birmingham
 * Steve Morrison, pro football linebacker
 * Meg Oliver, anchor of CBS's Up to the Minute
 * Mike Posner, singer
 * Sam Raimi, film director (attended Groves High School)
 * Andy Roeser, former president of NBA's Los Angeles Clippers
 * Kurt Schottenheimer, former NFL assistant coach
 * Alexandra Silber, actor and singer
 * David Spade, actor and comedian
 * Paul Stookey, member of the trio Peter, Paul, and Mary
 * Elaine Stritch, actress and vocalist
 * Tom Tjaarda, automobile designer (attended Seaholm High School)
 * Tom Tracy, pro football running back
 * Dave Trott, US congressman
 * Florence Signaigo Wagner (1919–2019), botanist who served as president of the American Fern Society
 * Minoru Yamasaki, architect (office located in Birmingham)
 * Sheila Young, Olympic gold-winning speed skater and track cyclist

title: Birmingham, Michigan


text:
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Bloomfield Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit on the Woodward Corridor, Bloomfield Hills is located roughly 20 mi northwest of downtown Detroit, and is surrounded on most sides by Bloomfield Township. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 4,460.

History
On June 28, 1820, Oakland County was divided into two townships: Pontiac Township and Bloomfield Township, the latter covering the southern part of the county that would include West Bloomfield Township, Royal Oak and Southfield. What is now Bloomfield Hills was a farming area until the turn of the 20th century when wealthy Detroit residents bought up the land. The settlement became a village in 1927, and in 1932 residents voted to become a city to avoid being incorporated into growing Birmingham.

Culture
Bloomfield Hills is the location of the National Historic Landmark Cranbrook Educational Community and other historic sites listed on the national register of historic places.

In popular culture, Bloomfield Hills was the setting for the 2005 film The Upside of Anger. In the 2002 film 8 Mile, Eminem mentions Cranbrook Kingswood while making fun of "Doc" because he attended Cranbrook, which is not considered cool or impressive in the atmosphere portrayed in the film. Bloomfield Hills is the hometown of the comic book character, Trance. Some scenes in Out of Sight with Jennifer Lopez and George Clooney were filmed at a private residence in Bloomfield Hills. (In the novel by Elmore Leonard on which the film is based, the most prominent street in Bloomfield Hills is described as “Vaughan Road, nothing but money.” ) Jimmy Hoffa was last seen at the former Machus Red Fox restaurant in adjacent Bloomfield Township. The novel Gilda Joyce: The Ladies of the Lake is set in a private school in Bloomfield.

Churches
The area is the home of landmark churches including Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian on Long Lake Rd (Bloomfield Township) and Christ Church Cranbrook Episcopal, consecrated in 1928 as part of George Booth's plan for the Cranbrook Educational Community. The Congregational Church of Birmingham United Church of Christ was founded in Birmingham but moved to its present location in at 1000 Cranbrook Road (at Woodward Avenue) in Bloomfield Hills in 1966. St. Hugo of the Hills Roman Catholic Church was funded by Theodore F. MacManus (1872–1940) and his wife in memory of their deceased children, Hugo and Hubert. St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic Church was built from 1931 to 1936, with approval from Bishop Michael J. Gallagher, and was designed by Arthur DesRossiers. Other churches include St. George Greek Orthodox, Bloomfield Hills Baptist, Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church (ELCA) on Adams Road (Bloomfield Township), Detroit Michigan Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Birmingham Unitarian Church on Woodward Avenue.

Economy
Home of O2 Investment Partners, Straightaway Tire and Auto, Acme Group, consisting of, Acme Mills, Great Lakes Filters, and Fairway Products, is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills. Other companies headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, MI include Taubman Centers, TriMas Corp., Larson Realty Group, Princeton Enterprises, TIP Capital, Bloomfield Hills Bancorp, Reverie, BlackEagle Partners, Gregory J. Schwartz & Co., Inc., Alidade Capital, and Penske Automotive Group.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.04 sqmi, of which 4.96 sqmi is land and 0.08 sqmi is water.

Demographics
As of the 2005–2009 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, there were 3,774 people, 1,570 households, and about 1,382 families living in the city. The population density was 796.4 PD/sqmi. There were 1,628 housing units at an average density of 329.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.1% White, 5.4% Asian, 4.3% Black, 0.8% from other races, and 0.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,869 people, 1,489 households, and 1,116 families living in the city. The population density was 780.0 PD/sqmi. There were 1,659 housing units at an average density of 334.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 87.3% White, 6.7% Asian, 4.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population.

There were 1,489 households, of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.7% were married couples living together, 4.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 25.1% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the city was 54.1 years. 19.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 11.8% were from 25 to 44; 33.5% were from 45 to 64; and 29.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, There were 1,520 households, out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 71.9% were married couples living together, 3.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.2% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, 19.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 3.8% was between 18 and 24, 13.8% between 25 and 44, 39.0% between 45 and 64, and 23.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $170,790, and the median income for a family was over $200,000. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $52,273 for females. The per capita income for the city was $104,920. About 1.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 and over.

Bloomfield Hills is one of the wealthiest cities with over 1000 people in the United States and is one of the wealthiest places in Michigan. 39% of owner-occupied homes had a value of over $1,000,000, and 32.1% with a value between $500,000 and $999,999.

Public schools
Most of the city is served by the Bloomfield Hills School District (BHSD), a public school district based in neighboring Bloomfield Township, comprising the City of Bloomfield Hills, most of Bloomfield Township, and small parts of neighboring communities such as Auburn Hills, Troy, and West Bloomfield Township. The sole district comprehensive high school is Bloomfield Hills High School, formed in 2013 by the mergers of Andover High School and Lahser High School.

The Bloomfield Hills district administers the International Academy, a tuition-free, public consortium high school in Bloomfield Township that hosts students from ten different public schools districts (including some Bloomfield Hills School District students).

A southern portion of Bloomfield Hills resides in the Birmingham City School District.

Private schools
The Bloomfield Hills area is also home to many private schools. The city limits include the nonsectarian Cranbrook Schools, Cranbrook Academy of Art, St. Hugo of the Hills Catholic School (established in 1940), and the Roeper School.

The neighboring communities of Bloomfield Township and Beverly Hills have two single-sex Catholic schools: Brother Rice High School for boys and Marian High School for girls, as well as the private college-preparatory school Detroit Country Day School, Academy of the Sacred Heart. Bloomfield Township also has Michigan's only ACCS accredited Classical Christian school, Bloomfield Christian School.

Weekend education
After the Japanese School of Detroit was formed in 1973, it initially held its classes at Cranbrook School Brookside.

Post-secondary education
Bloomfield Hills is home to the Cranbrook Academy of Art, one of the nation's leading graduate schools of architecture, art and design. It was founded by the Booths in 1932. By 1984, the New York Times would say that "the effect of Cranbrook and its graduates and faculty on the physical environment of this country has been profound ... Cranbrook, surely more than any other institution, has a right to think of itself as synonymous with contemporary American design."

The main offices of Oakland Community College are in Bloomfield Hills.

title: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan


text:
Brandon Township, Michigan

Brandon Charter Township is a charter township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,384 at the 2020 census.

As a northern suburb of Metro Detroit, Brandon Township is about 30 mi north of the city of Detroit and about 20 mi southeast of Flint. The village of Ortonville is located within the township.

History
The Township of Brandon was created in 1837, named in honor of the settlers of the Town of Brandon, Vermont, whose descendants had migrated to this area of Michigan. The Charter Township of Brandon was formed in the 20th century.

Communities

 * Brandon Gardens is located on M-15/Ortonville Road and Glass Road (42.82556°N, -83.44361°W Elevation: 971 ft./296 m.).
 * Oakwood straddles the eastern border with Oxford Township at Baldwin and Oakwood Roads (42.8675°N, -83.33667°W Elevation: 1099 ft./335 m.).
 * Ortonville is a village located within the township.
 * Perry Lake Heights is located on Perry Lake west of Perry Lake Road (42.82778°N, -83.40111°W Elevation: 1030 ft./314 m.).

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 35.98 sqmi. 35.11 sqmi of it is land and 0.87 sqmi (2.42%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,765 people, 5,012 households, and 4,039 families residing in the township. The population density was 421.1 PD/sqmi. There were 5,290 housing units at an average density of 150.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.58% White, 0.40% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.

There were 5,012 households, out of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.4% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.92 and the average family size was 3.25.

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.6% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 35.2% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $66,458, and the median income for a family was $70,359. Males had a median income of $52,419 versus $32,068 for females. The per capita income for the township was $25,011. About 3.0% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and 8.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Most of Brandon Township is in Brandon School District, while a portion to the east is in Oxford Community Schools. The respective zoned high schools are Brandon High School, and Oxford High School.

title: Brandon Township, Michigan


text:
Clawson, Michigan

Clawson is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Clawson is located about 19 mi north of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 11,389.

History
This area was occupied by the historic Potowatomi people, who were among the indigenous peoples in the Detroit territory. They traded furs for goods for years with the French Canadians and English colonists.

The city's name is a misspelling of the surname of John C. Lawson, an early European-American settler. It was founded by European Americans in 1829 and was originally known as Pumachug and The Corners. The name was inspired by the sound made by the Cider Mill and Saw Mill on each corner of the main intersection. The sound was described as "pum-a-chug, pum-a-chug." The city was incorporated as Clawson in 1920 as a village; in 1940 it was incorporated as a city.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.20 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 11,825 people, 5,460 households and 2,992 families living in the city. The population density was 5375.0 PD/sqmi. There were 5,791 housing units at an average density of 2632.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup was 93.4% White, 1.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 5,460 households, of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.2% were non-families. 38.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age was 39.9 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The sex makeup was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 12,732 people, 5,572 households and 3,259 families living in the city. The population density was 5,787.0 PD/sqmi. There were 5,676 housing units at an average density of 2,579.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup was 96.10% White, 0.80% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 0.25% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. Hispanic and Latino of any race were 1.14% of the population.

There were 5,572 households, of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.5% were non-families. 35.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.98.

20.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.5 males.

The median household income was $50,929 and the median family income was $64,684. Males had a median income of $45,242 and females $30,679. The per capita income was $25,676. About 1.4% of families and 3.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.6% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Clawson utilizes the council–manager form of government, and thus is governed by a city council consisting of a mayor and four council members. The city council appoints a city manager, who manages the day-to-day operations of the city.

Clawson is represented in the State House of Representatives by Padma Kuppa, in the State Senate by Mallory McMorrow, and in the US Congress 11th Congressional District by Haley Stevens.

Education
The city of Clawson is entirely within the boundaries of Clawson Public Schools.

Japhet School, a private school, is located in a former YWCA building in Clawson. It moved there in August 2013 from its previous location in Madison Heights.

Notable people

 * Mark Campbell, tight end for the New Orleans Saints
 * Tim Gleason, defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs; 2010 Olympian, ice hockey
 * Jon Jansen, offensive tackle for the Washington Redskins
 * David Robert Mitchell (born 1974), American film director
 * Dan Scanlon, director at Pixar Animation Studios
 * Lou Cotton, Musician We Came As Romans
 * Eric Lehr, contestant on American Idol.

title: Clawson, Michigan


text:
Commerce Township, Michigan

Commerce Township, officially the Charter Township of Commerce, is a charter township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 43,058 at the 2020 census.

As a western suburb of Metro Detroit, Commerce Township is about 32 mi northwest of the city of Detroit. The cities of Walled Lake and Wixom border to the south, and the township contains the village of Wolverine Lake. Originally settled as a resort destination, the township has seen a large population increase of permanent residents due to the townships rural environment and recreation areas, including most of Proud Lake State Recreation Area. The Huron River runs mostly north–south through the township, and the township also contains numerous lakes.

The northern terminus of M-5 is within Commerce Township. This highway was originally meant to connect the spur route Interstate 275 back to Interstate 75, but the project was canceled due to the difficulty of construction around the township's numerous lakes, as well as the high property value of the area.

Communities

 * Commerce is located at Commerce and Sleeth Roads (42.59111°N, -83.49083°W; Elevation: 945 ft./288 m.). It was platted in 1836.
 * Glengary is located on Benstein Road between Oakley Park and Glengary Roads (42.565°N, -83.50417°W; Elevation: 922 ft./281 m.).
 * Oakley Park is located on (42.56889°N, -83.49667°W; Elevation: 932 ft./284 m.).
 * Union Lake is an unincorporated community joined in the northeastern part of the township joining the townships of West Bloomfield, Waterford, and White Lake.
 * Wolverine Lake is an incorporated village in the township.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 29.90 sqmi, of which 27.45 sqmi is land and 2.45 sqmi (8.19%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 34,764 people, 12,379 households, and 9,754 families residing in the township. The population density was 1,261.1 PD/sqmi. There were 12,924 housing units at an average density of 468.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 96.73% White, 0.50% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.31% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 12,379 households, out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.4% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.2% were non-families. 17.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.19.

In the township the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 5.6% from 18 to 24, 34.1% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.0 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $72,702, and the median income for a family was $79,976. Males had a median income of $61,087 versus $36,125 for females. The per capita income for the township was $33,104. About 2.4% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education
The two school districts within the boundaries of Commerce Township are Walled Lake Consolidated Schools and Huron Valley Schools. Walled Lake Northern, Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Western High Schools are all located within the township.

Catholic schools are under the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. St. William Catholic Church, which includes a portion of Commerce Township in its service area, operates St. William Catholic School, a K-8 school in Walled Lake.

Religion
St. William Church in Walled Lake includes a portion of Commerce Township in its service area.

Notable people

 * David Hahn, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout, constructed a makeshift nuclear reactor in his backyard in Commerce Township, exposing himself and his neighbors—and maybe even as many as 40,000 people in the area—to radioactive materials, and drawing the attention of the EPA. The event became a short-lived media sensation, and a book by Ken Silverstein called The Radioactive Boy Scout was written about the incident and published in 2004.
 * Connor Hellebuyck, ice hockey goaltender
 * Alina Morse, Inventor, entrepreneur, CEO and founder of Zollicandy
 * William John McConnell was born in Commerce Township. Mr. McConnell later became one of the first Senators of Idaho and its third Governor.

title: Commerce Township, Michigan


text:
Farmington, Michigan

Farmington is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northwestern suburb of Detroit, Farmington is located roughly 20 mi from downtown Detroit, and is surrounded on most sides by the larger city of Farmington Hills. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 11,594.

The area is known for its historic downtown, elegant Victorian-style homes, and one of Michigan's top rated public school systems, Farmington Public Schools. Since 2009, the city's downtown has been the center of an extensive renovation and remodeling featuring a refacing or rebuilding of many buildings on Grand River Avenue, as well as brick paver sidewalks, the Farmington Pavilion, new lighting, and landscaping. In 2007 CNNMoney.com listed Farmington as number 55 in its Best Places to Live survey. Farmington was also ranked 27th on the list for Best to Live in 2013, citing nearly US$3 million in additional city renovations and development, bumping its rank up.

History
Farmington was the site of three Native American trails - the Orchard Lake Trail, the Grand River Trail, and the Shiawassee Trail.

Farmington was founded in 1824 by Arthur Power. Like many Oakland County pioneers, he hailed from the state of New York. Power was a Quaker, as were the settlers who joined him, and the town was first known as Quakertown. In 1826 the name Farmington was officially chosen because it was the name of Power's hometown, Farmington, New York.

The name Farmington, which properly refers to the 2.7 sqmi municipality incorporated in the early 19th century, is sometimes erroneously used to refer to the 33.3 sqmi neighboring city of Farmington Hills (Farmington Township until 1973), which surrounds it.

In 1976 the National Register of Historic Places declared part of the city the Farmington Historic District.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.66 sqmi, all of it land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,372 people, 4,624 households, and 2,735 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,899.2 PD/sqmi. There were 4,959 housing units at an average density of 1,869.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 71.5% White, 11.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 13.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 4,624 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.9% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 35.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 persons, and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $56,442, and the median income for a family was $67,407. Males had a median income of $54,780 versus $39,435 for females (2000 Census). The per capita income for the city was $36,281. About 2.6% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government
Farmington utilizes the council-manager form of government, and thus is governed by a city council consisting of a mayor and four council members. The city council appoints a city manager who manages the day-to-day operations of the city.

Farmington is surrounded by the city of Farmington Hills. The cities combine to form a district represented in Michigan's state government. Farmington is part of the 6th Senate district and part of the 18th House of Representatives district.

The Mayor of Farmington is Sara Bowman. Bowman was elected, by the council, to this position in November 2019.

Education
Farmington is served by Farmington Public Schools. Farmington High School and Longacre Elementary School, as well as the district's administrative offices, are located within Farmington, while the rest of the district's schools are in Farmington Hills.

There are also numerous parochial and private schools in the Farmington-Farmington Hills community. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, established in 1935, is in Farmington.

Notable sites
The former Farmington Winery building is located on Grand River Avenue just west of Orchard Lake Road and houses the "Haunted Winery" during the Halloween season.

Media
In addition to The Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press, regional newspapers serving all of southeast Michigan, the city is served by two community newspapers. The Farmington Observer is published twice a week, on Sunday and Thursday. The Farmington Press is published weekly. The Oakland Press covers all of Oakland County.

Recognition
In 2007, CNNMoney.com listed Farmington as number 55 in their Best Places to Live survey. [https://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0707/gallery.BPTL_top_100.moneymag/55.html Best Places to Live: Top 100 - Farmington, Mich. (55) - Money Magazine]

Notable people

 * Rex Cawley, gold medalist in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics
 * Michael Fougere, mayor of Regina, Saskatchewan
 * Devin Funchess, wide-receiver for the Carolina Panthers
 * Mickey Harris, baseball pitcher
 * Bob Johnson, ice hockey goaltender
 * Brent Johnson, ice hockey player of the Pittsburgh Penguins
 * Khalid Kareem, defensive end for Cincinnati Bengals
 * Robert Patrick, Hollywood actor
 * Drew Stanton, former NFL quarterback
 * Mike Vellucci, head coach of Charlotte Checkers

title: Farmington, Michigan


text:
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Farmington Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northwestern suburb of Detroit, Farmington Hills is located roughly 22 mi from downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 83,986, making it the second-largest community in Oakland County.

Farmington Hills consistently ranks as one of the safest cities in the United States, as well as in the state of Michigan. The area ranked as the 30th safest city in the U.S. in 2010 and as the 2nd safest city in Michigan in 2020. Farmington Hills also ranks as the 36th highest-income place in the United States with a population of 50,000 or more and ranked as 14th America's best cities to live by 24/7 Wall St. in 2016.

Although the two cities have separate services and addresses, Farmington and Farmington Hills are often thought of as the same community. These two cities combined were part of Farmington Township in the time of the Northwest Territory. Features of the community include a recently renovated downtown, boutiques, a vintage cinema, numerous restaurants, exotic car dealerships, art galleries, and public parks including Heritage Park. There are several historical sites including the Longacre House and the Governor Warner Mansion. Both cities are served by Farmington Public Schools and the Farmington Community Library.

Farmington Hills is the home of the Holocaust Memorial Center, the only Holocaust memorial in the State of Michigan. The center's mission is to educate the public about the tragedy and evils of the Holocaust. The Holocaust Memorial Center was originally located in neighboring West Bloomfield Township, but has since expanded and moved to its current facility.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 33.31 sqmi, of which 33.28 sqmi is land and 0.03 sqmi is water.

History
The first white settler in what became Farmington Township was a Quaker from Farmington, New York, named Arthur Power. He purchased land in 1823 and returned in 1824 with a group of families and associates to clear the land. The settlement became known as Quakertown. A post office was established in February 1826 with the name of Farmington. The original post office is still standing today, and is a designated historical site. The township of Farmington was organized in 1827, and the settlement was incorporated as the village of Farmington in the winter of 1866–67. A fire on October 9, 1872, destroyed many buildings in the village center. Farmington was incorporated as a city in 1926.

A small settlement was also developed in Clarenceville, in the extreme southeast corner of the township on the boundary with Livonia in Wayne County. Stephen Jennings built a tavern and a general store to accommodate travelers on the plank road between Detroit and Howell. The name remains in the Clarenceville School District. Even though the school buildings for Clarenceville are in Livonia in Wayne County, the school district serves a portion of Farmington Hills.

In 1839, a post office named East Farmington was opened, but it closed in 1842.

In 1847, a post office named North Farmington was established a mile south of the township line as Wolcott's Corners. After the death of postmaster Chauncey D. Walcott in 1865, the office moved to the township line in the northeast quarter of section 4 (near the intersection of 14 Mile Road and Farmington Road). The post office functioned until September 1902.

Before the remainder of Farmington Township was incorporated as the city of Farmington Hills, there were two other incorporated entities within its boundaries. The first began as a subdivision named Quaker Valley Farms that was incorporated as the village of Quakertown in 1959. The other was Wood Creek Farms, developed in 1937 as a subdivision by George Wellington of Franklin, who named it after a New England estate. It was incorporated as a village in 1957. The villages, together with the remainder of Farmington Township, were incorporated into the City of Farmington Hills in 1973. The City grew rapidly throughout the mid-20th century.

Economy
Farmington Hills is home to the headquarters of numerous major companies, including Gale, Mango Languages, 5-Hour Energy, and The Sharper Image, as well as the United States headquarters of Bosch, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, and TD Auto Finance.

The city was also previously home to the headquarters of Compuware, White Motor Company, A&W Restaurants, and Michigan National Bank.

Nissan's North American technical center is located in Farmington Hills. The Nissan technical center handled project engineering of vehicle bodies used in North America and Latin America. It also has a small laboratory, where as of 2012, research is being conducted with hydrogen fuel cells. The company planned to add electrical battery and recharging of electrical vehicle research to the laboratory. As of January 2012 the technical center had 800 full-time employees. At that time Nissan planned to hire 150 more engineers to work in the technical center. The technical center opened in November 1991 at a cost of $80 million. In 2005, Nissan added a $14 million design studio at their Farmington Hills campus, and the Nissan AZEAL was the first car to be designed there.

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. maintains an office in Farmington Hills, as does Panasonic Automotive Systems. Lordstown Motors operates a research and development center in Farmington Hills.

According to the city's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top local employers are:

Government
Farmington Hills utilizes the Council-Manager form of government, and thus is governed by a City Council consisting of a Mayor who can serve two 2-year terms (Theresa Rich, elected in 2023) and six council members serving an unlimited number of 4-year terms (Jackie Boleware, elected in 2023; Valerie Knol, elected in 2021; Michael Bridges, elected in 2021; Randy Bruce, elected in 2021; Bill Dwyer, elected in 2023; and Jon Aldred, elected in 2023). The city council appoints a City Manager (currently: Gary Mekjian), who manages the day-to-day operations of the city; a City Clerk who maintains all City Codes, Ordinances, Resolutions and other legal documents (currently Pam Smith); and a City Attorney who acts as legal advisor and representative for all City matters (currently Steve Joppich).

Farmington Hills is part of Michigan's State House Districts 18, 19 and 21. It is represented in the State Senate as part of Districts 6 and 13.

The Mayor's Youth Council is an active teen committee/council who work under the city to help address teen problems and issues. This council helped to build the Riley Skate Park (the largest skate park in the Midwest), and sends delegates to the National League of Cities (NLC) conferences, has articles published in the local newspaper, helps run citywide events, organizes battle of the bands, and hosts their own talk show. The Commission for Children, Youth and Families - operated in partnership with neighboring Farmington - is dedicated to creating a welcoming community for individuals of all ages and backgrounds. With a special emphasis on volunteerism, community service and education, the Commission partners with the Multi-Racial Multi-Cultural Commission (MRMC), the Commission on Aging, Farmington Public School District and the Farmington Public Library to inform residents on a variety of quality-of-life issues designed to promote wellness, access and knowledge.

In 2006, a public meeting was held in Farmington Hills to discuss the possible merger of the two cities as a money saving venture, and also as a way to keep the two communities vibrant. Farmington and Farmington Hills already share several services, such as a school district, a library system and a district court, however, both cities utilize their own fire departments, and Farmington has a public safety department rather than a police department.

Demographics
According to a 2015 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $93,274, and the median income for a family was $198,136. Males had a median income of $61,757 versus $39,540 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,134. Farmington Hills is well known for its luxury estates, its rolling hills, and is also listed on Forbes as one of the most prosperous suburbs in the US, with a household net worth of $725,120. About 2.4% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 83,986 people residing in the city, and 33,972 households. The population density was 2396.0 PD/sqmi. The racial makeup (including Hispanics in the racial categories) of the city was 62.7% White, 19.9% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 14.1% Asian, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 79,740 people, 33,559 households, and 21,412 families residing in the city. The population density was 2396.0 PD/sqmi. There were 36,178 housing units at an average density of 1087.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 69.7% White, 17.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 10.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 33,559 households, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 42.1 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 30.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

In April 2013, Farmington Hills had the fourth largest Japanese national population in the state of Michigan, at 589.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 82,111 people, 33,559 households, and 21,813 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,466.4 PD/sqmi. There were 34,858 housing units at an average density of 1,047.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 82.95% White, 6.94% African American, 0.17% Native American, 7.54% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 1.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population. 12.6% were of German, 9.1% Polish, 8.3% Irish, 7.1% English and 5.5% Italian ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 33,559 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 31.3% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.2 males.

Primary and secondary schools
Most of Farmington Hills is served by Farmington Public Schools, which is shared with nearby Farmington. Farmington Hills is home to North Farmington High School, while Farmington High School in Farmington also serves portions of Farmington Hills. Farmington Hills is also served by an alternative high school, Farmington Central. From 1970 until its closing in 2019, Harrison High School also operated in the city, before being converted into a community center, named The Hawk.

Farmington Hills also encompasses parts of the Clarenceville School District, and the Walled Lake Consolidated School District.

Farmington Hills is also home to multiple elementary and middle schools. The elementary schools consist of grades Kindergarten through 5th and the middle schools take grades 6 through 8. The elementary schools include Beechview Elementary School, Forest Elementary School, Gill Elementary School, Hillside Elementary School, Kenbrook Elementary School, Lanigan Elementary School, Longacre Elementary School, and Wood Creek Elementary School. The three middle schools are East Middle School, Power Middle School and Warner Middle School. O.E. Dunckel Middle School was closed in the spring of 2016 with a view to being relaunched as a K-8 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) school.

The area includes several private schools, including two parochial Catholic schools, Our Lady of Sorrows and St. Fabian, run by the Archdiocese of Detroit. St. Fabian is in Farmington Hills, and Our Lady of Sorrows School is in Farmington. Farmington Hills also includes an all-girls Catholic high school, Mercy High School, one Lutheran school, Concordia Lutheran School/St. Paul's Lutheran Preschool, and a non-denominational Jewish day school, Hillel Day School.

Colleges and universities
The city also contains branches of Oakland Community College and Wayne State University, and is the home of the Michigan School of Professional Psychology.

Transportation
Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) operates local and regional bus transit.

The major thoroughfares in the city are M-5, Orchard Lake Road, 12 Mile Road, 8 Mile Road, Northwestern Highway, I-696, and I-275. The city contains several freeway interchanges connecting local roads to the two interstates.

Notable people
Notable current and former residents include:
 * Jena Irene Asciutto, singer, American Idol runner-up
 * Steve Ballmer, businessman, former CEO of Microsoft, owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers
 * Elizabeth Berkley, actress
 * Manoj Bhargava, founder and CEO, 5-hour Energy
 * Pam Dawber, actress
 * Alex DeBrincat, NHL hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings
 * Colin Egglesfield, actor
 * Donald Foss (born 1945), billionaire founder of subprime car finance company Credit Acceptance
 * Cam Fowler, NHL hockey player for the Anaheim Ducks
 * Devin Funchess, wide receiver for the NFL's Detroit Lions
 * Tatiana Gutsu, two-time Olympic champion gymnast
 * Kirsten Haglund, winner of Miss Michigan (2007) and Miss America (2008)
 * Arthur Hanlon, Latin musician
 * Al Jean, writer/producer, The Simpsons
 * Bill Joy, co-founder of Sun Microsystems
 * Meg Mallon, professional golfer in Hall of Fame
 * Emily Morse, sex therapist
 * Jason Miller, rabbi and entrepreneur
 * Larry Nassar, osteopathic physician and convicted child molester
 * Jaime Ray Newman, actress
 * Eren Ozker, puppeteer, Muppeteer
 * Austin Price (born 1995), basketball player in the Israeli Premier Basketball League
 * Cayden Primeau, NHL hockey goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens
 * Neal Rubin, columnist for The Detroit News
 * Barry Sanders, Hall of Fame running back for the Detroit Lions; resident
 * Martha Smith, model and actress, Miss July 1973 Playboy centerfold
 * Drew Stanton, retired NFL quarterback who played for the Michigan State Spartans football team
 * Tally Hall, indie rock band based in Ann Arbor
 * Fred Toucher, Boston radio DJ for 98.5 The Sports Hub
 * James Wolk, actor
 * Brian S. Eifler, 11th Airborne Division commanding general
 * Cory DeVante Williams, YouTuber
 * Megan Keller, current forward with PWHL Boston with two Olympic Appearances.

title: Farmington Hills, Michigan


text:
Franklin, Michigan

Franklin is a village in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit, Franklin is located within Southfield Township, roughly 20 mi northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the village had a population of 3,139.

The community is known for large, estate-style homes. The downtown was designated as a historic district, the first in Michigan, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. The Franklin Cider Mill is a visitor attraction.

History
The community was founded in 1825 by Elijah Bullock and other European-American settlers; it was named after Benjamin Franklin, a Founding Father of the United States, in 1831. By 1830, a business district formed. The village has a unique collection of historical structures in original condition that is unusual for suburban Detroit. The village was incorporated in 1953.

Historical markers
In 1960 a historical marker was erected that reads: "FRANKLIN VILLAGE Founded in 1824–1825, Franklin received its present name in 1828. First postmaster was Dr. Ebenezer Raynale, state legislator and physician. The William Huston store, opened in 1830, was the forerunner of a business center that later included the famous Broughton Wagon Shop, the Van Every Mills, now Ye Olde Cider Mill; several taverns, two distilleries, and two churches. The village also was a station on the Underground Railroad. Franklin still has the appearance and atmosphere of an early Michigan village."

Another marker was installed in front of Franklin Village School: "Franklin Village School – Michigan's Territorial Council passed a law in 1827 requiring every township with fifty or more inhabitants to establish a school. Thus the following year, the first school in Southfield Township was erected in Franklin Village. Sophie Gotie taught twenty-nine students in a log schoolhouse located near the still extant house of early settler Daniel Broughton. Franklin village built a new school in 1845 at the foot of School Hill on property deeded by Winthrop Worthings. On this site in 1869 a third school was constructed on land given by wealthy postmaster A.A. Rust. After that building burned in 1922, the village erected the present school on this same location. The Franklin School District No. 3, Southfield Township, joined the Birmingham Public Schools in 1945."

This building closed as a public school in 1979. In 1988, members of Metro Detroit's Muslim community bought the building and adapted it as Huda School and Montessori, a K-8 Islamic parochial school. On Saturdays the building houses the related Dar-al-Huda Islamic Saturday school.

In 2006, the Muslim community raised $3.6 million (~$ in ) to fund renovation and expansion of the school. In the summer of 2007, the Monahan Construction Company renovated the school. In September 2007, the community raised another $1 million to continue the project's second phase, which was completed in 2008. Franklin also the hometown Farmbrook Free Press, a small publication.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.66 sqmi, all land.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,150 people, 1,118 households, and 903 families living in the village. The population density was 1184.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,177 housing units at an average density of 442.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 86.2% White, 6.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 4.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 1,118 households, of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.1% were married couples living together, 4.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.82 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the village was 45.4 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.5% were from 25 to 44; 34.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,937 people, 1,073 households, and 866 families living in the village. The population density was 1,105.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,118 housing units at an average density of 420.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 89.79% White, 5.07% African American, 0.10% Native American, 3.58% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.85% of the population.

There were 1,073 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.3% were married couples living together, 3.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 2.9% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 29.5% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $124,014, and the median income for a family was $139,339. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $61,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $71,033. About 0.5% of families and 1.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.4% of those under age 18 and 1.0% of those age 65 or over.

Points of interest
Franklin is known for the Franklin Cider Mill, just north of the village's borders in neighboring Bloomfield Township. The Franklin Cider Mill was established as a gristmill in 1837, the year Michigan became a state. It was converted to a cider mill in 1949.

Franklin's current firehouse was built in 1959. The village employs one firefighter and a chief; the rest of the force is volunteer. The station was built on the site of the former community hall, which burned down in 1958.

Because of its many original mid-19th century properties, Franklin was designated as Michigan's first historic district on November 11, 1969, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places that year. The boundaries of the district have been expanded to include more contributing properties.

Notable people

 * Max Fisher, businessman, died at his home in Franklin
 * Ashley Johnson, actress and voice actress, spent part of her childhood in Franklin
 * Jeff Katz, film producer and comic book author, grew up in Franklin

title: Franklin, Michigan


text:
Groveland Township, Michigan

Groveland Township is a civil township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,912 at the 2020 census. Groveland Township was established in 1835.

Communities
There are no incorporated villages in the township, but there are two unincorporated communities within the township:
 * Austin Corners located on the southern boundary of the township with Springfield Township at Dixie Highway and Oakhill Road (42.78778°N, -83.50806°W Elevation: 1106 ft./337 m.)  The former post office was named for David Austin Wright, the first postmaster, who along with Horatio Wright established the office on March 2, 1848. The name was changed to Taylorsville on September 5, 1849, back to Austin on May 11, 1853, and closed on April 30, 1901.
 * Groveland Corners, formerly Cottage Corners, is located at the junction of Dixie Highway and Grange Hall Road (42.81611°N, -83.54778°W Elevation: 991 ft./302 m.).  After 1922, Groveland Clinic was built there and the community acquired the name Groveland Corners.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.04 sqmi, of which 35.26 sqmi is land and 0.78 sqmi (2.16%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,476 people, 1,943 households, and 1,542 families residing in the township. The racial makeup of the township was 96.7% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 1,943 households, out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.1% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 20.6% were non-families. 16.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 2.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.79 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out, with 4.1% under the age of 5, 6.4% ages 5 to 9, 7.8% ages 10 to 14, 8.7% ages 15 to 19, 4.7% ages 20 to 24, 3.5% ages 25 to 29, 4.5% ages 30 to 34, 5.0% ages 35 to 39, 8.0% ages 40 to 44, 9.5% ages 45 to 49, 10.8% ages 50 to 54, 9.0% ages 55 to 59, 7.9% ages 60 to 64, 4.9% ages 65 to 69, 2.6% ages 70 to 74, 1.2% ages 75 to 79, 0.9% ages 80 to 84 and 0.5% ages 85 and older. The median age was 43.4 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $72,188, and the median income for a family was $83,789. Males had a median income of $61,436 versus $26,414 for females. The per capita income for the township was $28,574. About 4.7% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.5% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Groveland Township, Michigan