Livonia, Michigan
Encyclopedia : L : LI : LIV : Livonia, Michigan
Livonia is a city located in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 100,545. The city is a part of the Detroit metropolitan area, being about 22 miles northwest from downtown Detroit and 2 miles from the outer fringes of Detroit (Livonia and Detroit share Redford as a common border).
Livonia has received some attention as the city with the highest percentage of caucasian residents among cities with 100,000 or more residents. The 2000 U.S. Census puts the Caucasian population of Livonia above 95%. See Demographics, below.
Geography
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 100,545 people, 38,089 households, and 28,071 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,086.8/km² (2,815.0/mi²). There were 38,658 housing units at an average density of 417.9/km² (1,082.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.45% White, 0.95% African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population.There were 38,089 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $63,018, and the median income for a family was $72,720. Males had a median income of $54,137 versus $35,273 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,923. About 2.0% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.
History
First settled by pioneers from New England and New York, an act by the legislature of the Territory of Michigan established the borders of Livonia Township on March 17, 1835. Livonia was incorporated into a city on May 23, 1950 by vote of the citizens of the township. A significant motivation was to gain tax revenues from the DRC (Detroit Race Course), which was Michigan's only thoroughbred horse racetrack (it closed in 1998). It has also been home to the George Burns Theatre and was a possible location for Comerica Park (MLB's Detroit Tiger's home stadium).Safety
Livonia has in recent times ranked among the list of safest cities in the United States, finishing in the top ten numerous times. Murder, for example, is rare and when there is homicide, it is almost always not a random occurrence.Education
There are five high schools in Livonia; four public: Franklin, Churchill, and Stevenson High Schools in the Livonia district, Clarenceville High School in the Clarenceville public school district, and one private: Ladywood High School, a Catholic all-girls school run by the Felician nuns. The public school Webster Elementary School is home to the ACAT program, Alternative Classes for the Academically Talented. Frost Middle School homes the program MACAT, Middle Alternate Classrooms for the Academically Talented. Churchill High School homes the program MSC, the Math Science Computer Program and CAPA Creative and Performing Arts. Opened in 1965, Stevenson High School is the home of the school of Global Education, an alternative education model which combines students' English and Social Studies classes with a focus on the student's role in the world. The public school system also serves parts of Westland. There are also a number of parochial schools grade schools attached to many Catholic and Lutheran churches around Livonia. Livonia is also home to Madonna University and Schoolcraft College.- Madonna University [link]
- Schoolcraft Community College [link]
- Clarenceville School District [link]
- Livonia Public Schools [link]
- Academy of Westland Charter Schools (In Westland, but serving Livonia) [link]
- Warren Dale Charter Academy (In Detroit, but serving Livonia) [link]
- Ladywood High School [link]
Notable People
- Ryan Kesler: NHL player for the Vancouver Canucks
- Mike Modano: star NHL player for the Dallas Stars
- Madonna Emond: Miss Michigan 2003
- Sheila Taormina: 1996 Olympic gold medalist in swimming (4x200 freestyle relay) and 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Triathlete
- Steve Warner: 2004 U.S. Men's Olympic Rowing team, men's lightweight fours.
- Dean Bakopoulos: author of 2005's Please Don't Come Back from the Moon
- Paul Terek: 2004 Olympic decathlete
- Zach Gowen: Former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Professional Wrestler and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) Wrestler
- Judy Greer: popular young actress, studied in Churchill High School's renowned Creative and Performing Arts program
- Thaddeus McCotter: US Congressman for Michigan's 11th district
- Warren Defever: Founding member of the experimental band His Name Is Alive
- Bernie Carbo: Former MLB player who spent most of his career playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, and St. Louis Cardinals.
- Mike Kinkade: Major League Baseball player.
- Tim Shaw: Penn State NCAA football player and Clarenceville High School alumni.
- Art Regner WXYT Radio in Detroit, Michigan
Festivals
- St. Andrew's Society of Detroit Highland Games at the Greenmead Historic Village. Usually the first Saturday each August.
- Livonia Spree [link] Is located in Ford Field at the corner of Farmington Road and Lyndon in the last week each June. Includes Spree Fireworks.
- Music under the Stars. Held at various locations in Livonia throughout the summer.
Politics
Livonia is located in Michigan's 11th Congressional District, and is represented in Congress by Thaddeus McCotter (Republican), who was first elected to Congress in 2002. Livonia's mayor is Jack Engebretson.External links
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