Metro Detroit facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Metro Detroit
Detroit metropolitan area
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![]() A simulated-color satellite image of Metro Detroit, with Windsor across the river, taken on NASA's Landsat 7 satellite.
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Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Principal city | ![]() |
Counties | |
Area | |
• Urban | 1,337.1 sq mi (3,463 km2) |
• MSA | 3,888.4 sq mi (10,071 km2) |
• CSA | 5,814 sq mi (15,060 km2) |
Elevation | 569–1,280 ft (173–390 m) |
Population
(2010)
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• Urban | 3,734,090 (11th) |
• Urban density | 2,792.5/sq mi (1,078.2/km2) |
• Metro density | 1,104.8/sq mi (426.6/km2) |
• MSA | 4,296,250 (13th) |
• CSA | 5,318,744 (12th) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Area code(s) | 248, 313, 586, 734, 810, 947 |
The Detroit metropolitan area, often called Metro Detroit, is a very important metropolitan area in the state of Michigan, USA. It includes the big city of Detroit and all the towns and communities around it. This area is a hub for many things, especially the car industry.
Metro Detroit covers parts of several counties. These include Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties. It is a huge area where millions of people live and work.
Contents
Discover Metro Detroit!
Metro Detroit is a large and exciting region. It is known for its history, especially with cars. It also has many fun places to visit.
What is a Metropolitan Area?
A metropolitan area is a big region that includes a major city and all its surrounding towns and suburbs. These areas are closely connected. People often live in one town and work in the main city. Metro Detroit is a great example of this kind of connected community.
How Big is Metro Detroit?
Metro Detroit is quite large! The main part, called the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), covers about 3,888 square miles. That's a lot of space! More than 4 million people live here, making it one of the biggest metropolitan areas in the United States.
The Motor City's Heart
The city of Detroit is the heart of Metro Detroit. It is famous for being the "Motor City." This is because many big car companies started here. Companies like General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler have their main offices or big factories in or near Detroit. The Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit is the world headquarters for General Motors.
The car industry has shaped the area for over a hundred years. It brought many jobs and people to the region. Even today, cars are a big part of what Metro Detroit is all about.
Fun Places to Visit
Metro Detroit has many cool places to explore. You can find museums, parks, and even a famous zoo.
- Detroit Zoo: Located in Royal Oak, the Detroit Zoo is a popular spot. It has many different animals from all over the world. You can see lions, tigers, bears, and more!
- Detroit Institute of Arts: The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is a huge art museum. It has thousands of artworks from different cultures and times. It's a great place to see famous paintings and sculptures.
- Henry Ford's Estate: You can visit Henry Ford's historic home, Fair Lane, in Dearborn. Henry Ford was the founder of the Ford Motor Company. His estate shows what life was like for one of America's most famous inventors.
- Shopping and Downtown Areas: Many towns in Metro Detroit have lively downtown areas. Places like Woodward Avenue in Detroit and downtown Howell offer shops, restaurants, and entertainment.
Getting Around Metro Detroit

Getting around Metro Detroit is easy with its big roads and airport. The Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country. It connects Metro Detroit to cities all over the world. There are also many highways, like Interstate 696, that help people travel across the region.
The Ambassador Bridge connects Detroit to Windsor, Canada. It is a very important bridge for trade and travel between the two countries.
Images for kids
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The Detroit Financial District viewed from the Detroit River
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Merchants Row on Woodward Avenue between Grand Circus Park and Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit
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Downtown Howell
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The General Motors World Headquarters, Renaissance Center in Downtown Detroit.
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The Chrysler Headquarters in Auburn Hills
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The Wildlife Interpretive Gallery at the Detroit Zoo
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Henry Ford's Fair Lane estate in Dearborn
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Detroit Metropolitan Airport, one of the largest air traffic hubs in the US.
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View of the Ambassador Bridge
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Map of Wayne County, Michigan
Map of Wayne County highlighting City of Detroit (County seat) in red.
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Map of Oakland County
Map of Oakland County highlighting City of Pontiac (County seat) in red.
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Map of Macomb County
Map of Macomb County highlighting City of Mount Clemens (County seat) in red.
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Map of Livingston County, Michigan
Map of Livingston County highlighting City of Howell (County seat) in red.
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Map of St. Clair County, Michigan
Map of St. Clair County highlighting City of Port Huron (County seat) in red.
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Map of Lapeer County
Map of Lapeer County highlighting City of Lapeer (County seat) in red.
See also
In Spanish: Metro Detroit para niños