Detroit facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Detroit
City
Downtown Detroit skyline Fox Theatre Renaissance Center Ambassador Bridge Comerica Park Detroit Institute of Arts Hitsville U.S.A. Belle Isle Park
Flag Seal Logo
Etymology: French: détroit (strait)
Nicknames:  The Motor City, Motown, and others
Motto(s):  Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus (Latin: We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes)
Detroit Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Detroit Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Wayne
Founded (Fort Detroit)	July 24, 1701 (1701-07-24)
Incorporated a	September 13, 1806 (1806-09-13)
Founded by	Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac (1658-1930) & Alphonse de Tonty (1659-1927)
Named for	Detroit River
Government
• Type	Strong Mayor
• Body	Detroit City Council
Area
• City	142.89 sq mi (370.09 km2)
• Land	138.73 sq mi (359.31 km2)
• Water	4.16 sq mi (10.78 km2)
• Urban	1,284.8 sq mi (3,327.7 km2)
• Metro	3,888.4 sq mi (10,071 km2)
Elevation	656 ft (200 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	639,111
• Estimate  (2023)	633,218
• Rank	78th in North America 26th in the United States 1st in Michigan
• Density	4,606.84/sq mi (1,778.71/km2)
• Urban	3,776,890 (US: 12th)
• Urban density	2,939.6/sq mi (1,135.0/km2)
• Metro	4,365,205 (US: 14th)
Demonym(s)	Detroiter
GDP
• MSA	$305.412 billion (2022)
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	482XX 48201–48227, 48242-48244, 48255, 48260, 48264-48269, 48272, 48275, 48240, 48277-48279, 48288
Area code(s)	313
FIPS code	26-22000
GNIS feature ID	1617959
Major airports	Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Coleman A. Young International Airport
Mass transit	Detroit Department of Transportation, Detroit People Mover, QLine

Detroit is the largest city in the state of Michigan, USA. It's also the biggest U.S. city right on the border with Canada. Detroit is famous for its history with cars, music, art, and cool buildings.

In 1701, French explorers founded a small fort here. Later, in the early 1900s, Detroit became a huge industrial city, especially known for making cars. It grew to be one of the biggest cities in the United States. The Detroit River was super busy, carrying tons of goods every year.

However, over time, the city's population got much smaller, and many jobs in the car industry moved away. In 2013, Detroit faced a big financial problem and had to file for bankruptcy. But it successfully recovered in 2014.

Today, Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River, which connects the Great Lakes to the ocean. It's still the heart of the U.S. car industry, with major companies like General Motors, Ford, and Stellantis (which owns Chrysler) having their main offices nearby. The city is also a growing tourist spot and was named a "City of Design" by UNESCO in 2015.

History of Detroit

How Detroit Got Its Name

Detroit is named after the Detroit River. The name comes from a French word, détroit, which means "strait." A strait is a narrow passage of water. The city was built on this narrow waterway that connects Lake Huron and Lake Erie.

Early Days and French Settlers

Long ago, about 11,000 years ago, Native American groups lived near Detroit. By the 1600s, tribes like the Huron, Odawa, Potawatomi, and Iroquois lived here.

In 1701, French explorers Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac and Alphonse de Tonty built a small fort on the north side of the Detroit River. They called it Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit. France wanted more people to move to the area, so they offered free land. By 1765, Detroit was the largest European settlement between Montreal and New Orleans.

British Rule and American Independence

During a war between Britain and France (the French and Indian War), British troops took control of Detroit in 1760. They shortened the name to Detroit. Native American tribes, led by Pontiac, tried to take back the fort in 1763 but didn't succeed. After the war, France gave its lands in North America to Britain.

Later, during the American Revolutionary War, Detroit was still under British control. After the United States won its independence, Britain finally gave Detroit and other lands to the U.S. in 1796.

The economy of the area was mostly based on the fur trade. The city's flag today shows its French and British past.

Detroit in the 1800s

In 1805, a huge fire destroyed most of Detroit, which had many wooden buildings. No one died, but only a few stone buildings and chimneys were left. The city's motto, "Speramus Meliora; Resurget Cineribus," means "We Hope For Better Things; It Shall Rise From the Ashes." This motto was created after the fire. The city seal also shows the fire and the idea of rebuilding.

From 1805 to 1847, Detroit was the capital city of the Michigan Territory. When Michigan became a state in 1837, Detroit was its first capital.

During the War of 1812, Detroit was briefly captured by British troops but was later taken back by the U.S. military.

The city grew with a special street plan designed by Augustus B. Woodward, with wide avenues like Woodward Avenue. This plan was inspired by cities like Washington, D.C., and Paris.

Before the American Civil War, Detroit was an important stop on the Underground Railroad. Many enslaved people seeking freedom traveled through Detroit to cross the river into Canada.

During the late 1800s, Detroit became a major port and transportation center because of its location on the Great Lakes. Wealthy business owners built large mansions, and some people called Detroit the "Paris of the West" because of its beautiful buildings and wide streets.

In 1896, Henry Ford built his first car in a workshop on Mack Avenue, starting Detroit's journey to become the "Motor City."

The 1900s: Car Capital and Changes

In 1903, Henry Ford started the Ford Motor Company. Along with other car pioneers, he helped make Detroit the world's car capital. The car industry grew so fast that Detroit became the fourth-largest city in the U.S. by 1920.

The Detroit River was incredibly busy with shipping. From 1920 to 1933, when alcohol was illegal in the U.S., the Detroit River became a main route for smuggling Canadian alcohol.

As factories grew, labor unions like the United Auto Workers (UAW) worked to get better pay and working conditions for employees.

Detroit saw many people move in, including African Americans from the South and immigrants from Europe. This led to competition for jobs and housing. There were also challenges with racial discrimination, where some neighborhoods had rules to keep African Americans from buying homes.

World War II and After

During World War II, Detroit became known as the "Arsenal of Democracy." Its factories switched from making cars to making military equipment for the war. Many people moved to Detroit for these jobs. This rapid growth led to some social tensions.

After the war, Detroit's population reached its highest point in 1950. The car industry continued to offer jobs, especially for African Americans moving from the South. However, there were still big differences in housing and job opportunities based on race.

New highways were built, which made it easier for people to move to the suburbs. This caused many people and businesses to leave the city, reducing Detroit's tax money.

In 1967, there were major civil unrest events in Detroit. These events caused a lot of damage and led to even more people moving out of the city. A court decision in 1974 about school integration also contributed to people moving to the suburbs.

Challenges and Rebuilding in the Late 1900s

In 1973, Coleman Young became Detroit's first black mayor. He worked to improve the city, including building the Renaissance Center downtown to attract businesses. However, the city continued to face challenges like job losses in the auto industry and a shrinking population.

In 1987, Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed near Detroit's airport, killing many people.

By the 1990s, Detroit began to focus on rebuilding its downtown. Casinos were opened, and new parks like Campus Martius Park were created.

Detroit in the 2000s

In the 2000s, Detroit faced a severe financial crisis. In 2013, it became the largest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy. This meant the city couldn't pay its debts. However, Detroit successfully exited bankruptcy in 2014. This allowed the city to get rid of some debt and invest in better city services, like fixing streetlights.

Since then, Detroit has seen many positive changes. Old buildings like the Michigan Central Station have been renovated. New businesses and people are moving into downtown and other areas. This growth is bringing new life to the city, though it also brings challenges like rising costs for long-time residents.

Geography of Detroit

Detroit's Location

Detroit is the main city in the Metro Detroit area. It's located in the Midwestern United States and the Great Lakes region. The city covers about 142 square miles (370 square kilometers).

The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is a special nature area right in the middle of the city. It includes islands and wetlands along the Detroit River.

Detroit is unique because it's the only major city on the Canada-U.S. border where you travel south to cross into Canada.

City Landscape

Buildings and Design

Detroit's skyline has many different building styles. You can see modern buildings like the Renaissance Center and older ones with Art Deco designs, like the Guardian Building. The city also has large theaters, an opera house, and the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Most of Detroit outside the downtown area has smaller buildings and single-family homes. Some older neighborhoods have beautiful historic houses.

Many projects have helped bring parts of the city back to life. Campus Martius Park is a great example of a revitalized public space downtown. New sports stadiums like Comerica Park (for the Detroit Tigers) and Little Caesars Arena (for the Detroit Red Wings and Pistons) have also been built.

The Detroit International Riverfront is a long walkway along the river with parks and buildings. It's a great place for people to enjoy the waterfront.

Neighborhoods

Detroit has many different types of neighborhoods. Downtown, Midtown, and New Center have many historic buildings and are becoming busy again. Other areas are working to rebuild and improve.

Some neighborhoods have many empty properties. The city is working to tear down old, unsafe houses and find new uses for the land, like urban gardens.

Parks and Green Spaces

Detroit has over 300 public parks, covering nearly 5,000 acres. Belle Isle Park is the city's largest park, located on an island in the Detroit River. It has a fountain, a conservatory, a beach, and gardens.

Grand Circus Park was the city's first park, opened in 1847. The Huron–Clinton Metroparks system also provides large regional parks around the Detroit area.

Detroit's Climate

Weather chart for Detroit, Michigan
J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
2   32 19	2   35 21	2.3   46 29	2.9   59 39	3.4   70 49	3.5   79 60	3.4   83 64	3   81 63	3.3   74 55	2.5   62 43	2.8   49 34	2.5   36 24
temperatures in °F precipitation totals in inches
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     50   0 -7     51   2 -6     58   8 -2     74   15 4     86   21 10     89   26 15     86   29 18     76   27 17     83   23 13     64   16 6     71   9 1     62   2 -4 temperatures in °C • precipitation totals in mm

Detroit has a climate with warm summers and cold winters. Summers are usually warm, with temperatures sometimes going above 90°F (32°C). Winters are cold, with snow and temperatures often below freezing. The city gets a moderate amount of rain and snow throughout the year.

People and Population

Population Changes

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1820	1,422		—
1830	2,222		56.3%
1840	9,102		309.6%
1850	21,019		130.9%
1860	45,619		117.0%
1870	79,577		74.4%
1880	116,340		46.2%
1890	205,876		77.0%
1900	285,704		38.8%
1910	465,766		63.0%
1920	993,678		113.3%
1930	1,568,662		57.9%
1940	1,623,452		3.5%
1950	1,849,568		13.9%
1960	1,670,144		−9.7%
1970	1,511,482		−9.5%
1980	1,203,368		−20.4%
1990	1,027,974		−14.6%
2000	951,270		−7.5%
2010	713,777		−25.0%
2020	639,111		−10.5%
2023 (est.)	633,218		−11.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 2010–2020

In 2020, Detroit had about 639,111 people. This makes it the 27th largest city in the U.S. Detroit's population has decreased a lot since 1950, when it was the fourth-largest city in the country.

Income and Jobs

Many jobs in factories and for working-class people have left Detroit. This has led to higher rates of poverty in the city. In 2018, the average household income in Detroit was lower than the average for Michigan. About one-third of Detroit residents live in poverty.

Different Cultures and Backgrounds

Detroit is a diverse city. In 2020, about 77% of the population was African American. Other groups include non-Hispanic whites (10%) and Hispanics (8%).

Detroit has a large Mexican-American community, especially in Mexicantown. Many people from Appalachia and Lithuania also settled in Detroit after World War II. There are also Asian communities, including Hmong, Lao, Bangladeshi, Indian, and Chinese people.

Economy of Detroit

Top city employers as of 2014 Source: Crain's Detroit Business
Rank	Company or organization	#
1	Detroit Medical Center	11,497
2	City of Detroit	9,591
3	Rocket Mortgage	9,192
4	Henry Ford Health System	8,807
5	Detroit Public Schools	6,586
6	U.S. Government	6,308
7	Wayne State University	6,023
8	Chrysler	5,426
9	Blue Cross Blue Shield	5,415
10	General Motors	4,327
11	State of Michigan	3,911
12	DTE Energy	3,700
13	St. John Providence Health System	3,566
14	U.S. Postal Service	2,643
15	Wayne County	2,566
16	MGM Grand Detroit	2,551
17	MotorCity Casino	1,973
18	Compuware	1,912
19	Detroit Diesel	1,685
20	Greektown Casino	1,521
21	Comerica	1,194
22	Deloitte	942
23	Johnson Controls	760
24	PwC	756
25	Ally Financial	715

Detroit's economy is home to several big companies, including three from the Fortune 500 list. The main industries are car manufacturing, finance, technology, and health care.

Many people work in downtown Detroit. Besides the big car companies, there are large offices for banks and other businesses. Ford Motor Company is in the nearby city of Dearborn.

Many companies have recently moved their offices from the suburbs back to downtown Detroit. This has created new jobs and helped the city's economy grow. For example, Quicken Loans, a large mortgage company, moved its main office and thousands of employees to downtown Detroit in 2010.

Even with past financial problems, many developers are investing in Detroit. Old historic buildings are being renovated into apartments, hotels, and offices. Downtown's population of young professionals is growing, and new shops are opening.

Arts and Culture in Detroit

Detroit is a vibrant city with a growing population of young people and artists. People are moving back to the city's downtown, Midtown, and New Center areas.

Detroit is known by many nicknames, like the Motor City and Motown, because of its car industry and famous music. It's also called The D and Hockeytown (because of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team).

Music Scene

Detroit has a rich history of live music. It's known for its many music venues and is the second-largest theater city in the U.S.

The city has influenced many music styles. In the 1940s, Detroit blues became popular. In the 1950s, Detroit was a center for jazz music.

Berry Gordy, Jr. started Motown Records in the 1960s. Motown became super famous with artists like Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Diana Ross & the Supremes, and the Jackson 5. Motown was important because it was the first record label owned by an African American to feature mostly African-American artists.

Detroit also played a big role in rock music, with bands like the MC5 and artists like Bob Seger and Alice Cooper. The band Kiss even has a song called "Detroit Rock City." In the 1980s, Detroit was a center for hardcore punk rock.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Detroit produced famous hip hop artists like Eminem and Kid Rock. Detroit is also known as the birthplace of techno music in the early 1980s. The Detroit Electronic Music Festival, now called Movement, happens every year in May.

Performing Arts

Detroit has many large theaters, including the Fox Theatre, Music Hall Center for the Performing Arts, and the Detroit Opera House. These venues host many shows, including Broadway performances.

Tourism and Attractions

Detroit is becoming a popular place to visit. The New York Times and Lonely Planet have listed Detroit as a top travel destination.

Many of Detroit's museums are in the Detroit Cultural Center area. These include the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Historical Museum, and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. The Motown Historical Museum is also a must-see.

Other fun places to visit include The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, the Detroit Zoo in Royal Oak, and the Belle Isle Conservatory.

Greektown and the downtown casinos offer entertainment. The Eastern Market is a huge outdoor market where you can find fresh food and specialty items.

Detroit hosts many annual events, like the Detroit Electronic Music Festival, the Detroit International Jazz Festival, and the North American International Auto Show. America's Thanksgiving Parade is one of the biggest parades in the country.

Important statues in the city include The Spirit of Detroit and a memorial to the famous boxer Joe Louis.

Sports in Detroit

Detroit is one of only four U.S. cities that have teams in all four major professional sports leagues. All of Detroit's major sports teams play in the downtown area.

• The Detroit Tigers (baseball) play at Comerica Park. They have won four World Series titles.
• The Detroit Lions (football) play at Ford Field. They have won four NFL titles.
• The Detroit Red Wings (hockey) play at Little Caesars Arena. They have won 11 Stanley Cups, the most by an American NHL team.
• The Detroit Pistons (basketball) also play at Little Caesars Arena. They have won three NBA titles.

In the 1930s, Detroit was called the "City of Champions" because its teams won so many championships.

Detroit also has a professional soccer team, Detroit City FC, which plays in Hamtramck. The city has hosted many big sports events, including the MLB All-Star Game, the Super Bowl XL, and the NCAA Final Four. In 2024, Detroit hosted the NFL draft, which was the most attended draft ever.

Education in Detroit

Colleges and Universities

Detroit has several colleges and universities. The main ones are Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy. There's also the College for Creative Studies for art and design, and Wayne County Community College.

Schools for Kids

The Detroit Public Schools (DPS) district is the largest school district in Michigan. Detroit also has many charter schools. Some students from Detroit also go to public schools in nearby towns.

In recent years, there have been efforts to improve school performance in Detroit. Many students in Detroit's public and charter schools have faced challenges with standardized tests.

Detroit also has private schools and Catholic schools run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit.

Media in Detroit

The two main daily newspapers in Detroit are the Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News. They are printed together. The Metro Times is a weekly paper that covers news and entertainment.

The Michigan Chronicle is a well-known African-American weekly newspaper that has been published in Detroit since 1935.

Detroit is a big market for television and radio, meaning many people watch and listen to stations here. Even Canadian stations from nearby Windsor are popular in Detroit.

Transportation in Detroit

Detroit is an important transportation hub because it's close to Canada and has major highways, train connections, and airports. The city has three ways to cross the border into Canada: the Ambassador Bridge, the Detroit–Windsor Tunnel, and the Michigan Central Railway Tunnel. The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest border crossing in North America for trade between the U.S. and Canada.

Canada is also helping to build a new bridge, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, which will open in 2024.

Public Transportation

Buses provide mass transit in Detroit. The Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) runs buses within the city. The SMART bus system serves the suburbs and connects them to the city. There's also a bus service that goes between downtown Detroit and Windsor, Canada.

The Detroit People Mover is an elevated train that goes around a loop in downtown Detroit. The QLINE is a streetcar that connects the People Mover to the Amtrak train station on Woodward Avenue.

Amtrak provides train service from Detroit to other cities like Chicago.

Car Ownership

Compared to the national average, more households in Detroit do not own a car.

Airports

The main airport for Detroit is Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), located in Romulus, a nearby city. It's a major hub for Delta Air Lines. There's also a smaller airport, Coleman A. Young International Airport, on Detroit's northeast side.

Highways

Metro Detroit has a large network of highways that don't have tolls. Major highways like I-75 and I-94 connect Detroit to other cities in Michigan and beyond.

Floating Post Office

Detroit has a unique floating post office called the J. W. Westcott II. It delivers mail to large ships on the Detroit River. Its ZIP Code is 48222, making it the only floating ZIP Code in the United States!

Notable People from Detroit

Many famous people have come from Detroit, including musicians, athletes, and leaders.

Sister Cities

Detroit has sister cities around the world, which are cities that partner to promote cultural and economic ties.

• Chongqing, China
• Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Kitwe, Zambia
• Minsk, Belarus
• Nassau, Bahamas
• Toyota, Japan
• Turin, Italy

Images for kids

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  An electric PCC streetcar in Detroit, 1953

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  Aerial photo of Detroit (1932)

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  Detroit at its population peak in the mid-20th century. Looking south down Woodward Avenue from the Maccabees Building with the city's skyline in the distance.

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  First Williams Block in 1915

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  First Williams Block in 1989

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  The former Packard Automotive Plant, closed since 1958

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  Construction progress at Hudson's Detroit in 2022

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  The Cass Park Historic District in Midtown Detroit

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  New Center

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  Houses in the Indian Village neighborhood

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  March for Science

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  North American International Auto Show

• 

  Detroit Electronic Music Festival

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  Detroit Institute of Music Education

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  Detroit Institute of Arts

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  The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant, birthplace of the Ford Model T

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  Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions

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  The Detroit Public Library in 2018

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  Offices of the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News

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  The Detroit River is one of the busiest straits in the world. Lake freighter MV American Courage passing the strait.

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  The First National Building, an A-class office center within the Detroit Financial District

• 

  J.W. Westcott II on the Detroit River in front of the Ambassador Bridge

• 

  Population pyramid of Detroit in 2021

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  Ethnic origins in Detroit

• 

  Greektown Historic District in Detroit

• 

  Chaldean Town, a historically Chaldean neighborhood in Detroit

See also

In Spanish: Detroit para niños