Detroit, Michigan

Demographics

Overview

Throughout the city, French colonial influence can be found in many place names (Gratiot Ave., Beaubien St., Cadieux Rd., Chene Park), though only a small percentage of area residents are descended from 18th-century French settlers.

Related Topics:
French colonial - 18th-century

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Detroit's population increased more than sixfold during the first half of the 20th century, thanks largely to a massive influx of Eastern European and Southern migrants—both white and black—who came to the area for the burgeoning automobile industry jobs.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Metro Detroit has a higher percentage of blacks than any other northern U.S. metropolitan area--about one-fourth of the metropolitan population. Altogether, more than a million African-Americans live in the area. About three-fourths of them live within the city limits. Other communities with large black populations include Inkster, Highland Park, Ecorse, River Rouge, Southfield, Pontiac and Oak Park. Metro Detroit is among the nation's most racially segregated regions.

Related Topics:
Inkster - Highland Park - Ecorse - River Rouge - Southfield - Pontiac - Oak Park

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Detroit's ethnic communities are diverse and include descendants of the French founders, as well as Germans, Poles, Irish, Italians and Greeks who settled during the city's early 20th-century industrial boom. Metro Detroit has the largest concentration of Belgians outside of Belgium. The Detroit area is also home to a large Chaldean population and to the country's largest concentration of Arab Americans. Chaldean-owned businesses are the retail life of the Detroit neighborhoodshttp://www.chaldeanchat.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4157, owning some 90% of local convenience stores (called "party stores") within the city. The southwest side of the city contains a large Chicano community and the area has in recent years been renamed Mexicantown to reflect the large number of retail, restaurant, commecial and industrial properties owned by the Hispanic population.

Related Topics:
Germans - Poles - Irish - Italians - Greeks - 20th-century - Metro Detroit - Belgians - Belgium - Chaldean - Convenience store - Chicano - Hispanic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Population

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

Related Topics:
Census - ² - 2000 - Population density - Black - African American - White - Native American - Asian - Pacific Islander - Hispanic - Latino

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The median income for a household in the city is $29,526, and the median income for a family is $33,853. Males have a median income of $33,381 versus $26,749 for females. The per capita income for the city is $14,717. 26.1% of the population and 21.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.5% of those under the age of 18 and 18.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Related Topics:
Per capita income - Poverty line

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Currently 47% of Detroiters are functionally illiterate.http://www.detnews.com/2005/editorial/0501/18/A07-62025.htm Some 72% of all Detroit children are born to single unwed mothers.http://www.ncfc.net/travwhit.html

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~