Highland Park, Michigan
Encyclopedia : H : HI : HIG : Highland Park, Michigan
Highland Park is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States. The population was 16,746 at the 2000 census. The city is completely surrounded by Detroit except a small portion which touches the city of Hamtramck which is also surrounded by Detroit. In 1913 the city became famous when Henry Ford opened the first assembly line at the Highland Park Ford Plant. Ford Motor Company closed the Highland Park plant in the late 1920s, and in the late decades of the 20th century the city's population and economy shared the same decline that Detroit experienced.
Highland Park is the birthplace of comedian, actor and Saturday Night Live cast member Tim Meadows.
Geography
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 16,746 people, 6,199 households, and 3,521 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,169.7/km² (5,622.9/mi²). There were 7,249 housing units at an average density of 939.2/km² (2,434.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 4.11% White, 93.44% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.57% of the population.There were 6,199 households out of which 27.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 17.0% were married couples living together, 33.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.2% were non-families. 38.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.43.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 85.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $17,737, and the median income for a family was $26,484. Males had a median income of $31,014 versus $26,186 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,121. About 32.1% of families and 38.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 47.1% of those under age 18 and 30.8% of those age 65 or over.
History and Character
The town was exceptionally green until the 1970s when Dutch elm disease caused many old trees to be cut down.
The city suffered from white flight after the 1967 Detroit 12th Street Riot. The loss of stability in the community and economic development, caused partly by crime, mismanagement, disinvestments and racism, contributed to the city becoming the most crime ridden place in the United States by the mid-1980s.
Devil's Night fires which were a problem in Detroit, also destroyed many homes and buildings in Highland Park.
In 2002 the city went bankrupt and as of 2005 is still in receivership under the State of Michigan.
External links
- [Website of the City of Highland Park]
- [United Block Clubs of Highland Park Online]
- [Highland Park Business Association of Michigan]
- [Highland Park Development Corporation]
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