Highland Park, Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Highland Park also known as "H.P." or "H Pilla" is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. 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.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History and Character
4 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.7 km² (3.0 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² 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 and Middle Eastern 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. Most of the white people are Chaldean.

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.

[edit] History and Character

Historical populations

Census

Pop.

%±

1900</td><td align="right">427</td><td align="right">—</td></tr><tr><td align="center">

1910</td><td align="right">4,120</td><td align="right">864.9%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1920</td><td align="right">46,499</td><td align="right">1,028.6</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1930</td><td align="right">52,959</td><td align="right">14.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1940</td><td align="right">50,810</td><td align="right">-4.1%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1950</td><td align="right">46,393</td><td align="right">-8.7%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1960</td><td align="right">38,063</td><td align="right">-18.0%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1970</td><td align="right">35,444</td><td align="right">-6.9%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1980</td><td align="right">27,909</td><td align="right">-21.3%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 1990</td><td align="right">20,121</td><td align="right">-27.9%</td></tr><tr><td align="center"> 2000</td><td align="right">16,746</td><td align="right">-16.8%</td></tr>

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. They also share the same crime problem.

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 one of the most crime ridden place in the United States by the mid-1980s. ^{[citation needed]}Devil's Night fires, which were a problem in Detroit, also destroyed many homes and buildings in Highland Park.

The town was exceptionally green until the 1970s when Dutch elm disease caused many old trees to be cut down.

In 2002 the city went bankrupt, and as of 2006, it is still in emergency financial management under the State of Michigan.

Highland Park is the birthplace of comedian, actor and Saturday Night Live cast member Tim Meadows.