Redford, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Redford Township, Michigan
Charter township
Charter Township of Redford
Redford Township Hall
Flag Seal
Location within Wayne County
Redford Township, Michigan Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Redford Township, Michigan Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Wayne
Organized	1829
Area
• Charter township	11.24 sq mi (29.11 km2)
• Land	11.24 sq mi (29.11 km2)
• Water	0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)
Elevation	627 ft (191 m)
Population  (2020)
• Charter township	49,504
• Density	4,302.7/sq mi (1,661.3/km2)
• Metro	4,285,832 (Metro Detroit)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	48239, 48240
Area code(s)	313
FIPS code	26-67625
GNIS feature ID	1626960

Redford, officially the Charter Township of Redford, is a charter township in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The township shares its eastern border with the city of Detroit. The population was 49,504 at the 2020 census.

History

Springwells Township and Bucklin Township were formally organized and laid out by gubernatorial act on April 12, 1827. Due to postal regulations prohibiting two post offices having the same name, when a township was subdivided unique names had to be found. The Bucklin name was extinguished when it was split on October 29, 1829, along what is today Inkster Road into Nankin Township (west half) and Pekin Township (east half), named as a result of a wave of interest in China. In March 1833 Pekin was renamed Redford and the southern half became Dearborn Township on April 1. The name Redford was chosen because Indians and pioneers forded the River Rouge where the river runs through Redford. "Rouge" is French for "red."

The township used to go all the way to Greenfield Road, but in the 1920s the eastern portions of the township were annexed by Detroit. This annexation ceased in 1926 when the township was given "charter" status by the Michigan legislature.

Redford is the site of Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, whose hiring practices spurred the 2012 Supreme Court Case Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Redford is also the site of the first Fretter's electronics store.

Redford is the site of Cloud City Studios, where the band Walls of Jericho recorded their debut album, From Hell.

Geography

Redford Township is a western suburb of Detroit. According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 11.2 square miles (29 km²), all land. The middle branch of the River Rouge flows through the Lola Valley Park in the township. Ashcroft creek, another branch of the Rouge River flows for about a half mile in the southeastern corner of the township before entering Detroit's Rouge Park and then into the main branch of the Rouge. Tarabusi Creek of the Bell Branch, another branch of the Rouge River, flows through Western Golf Club and Bell Creek Park.

Demographics

2010 census

In 2010 Redford Township had a population of 48,362. The ethnic and racial makeup of the population was 64.7% white, 28.7% African-American, 0.8% Asian, 2.3% reporting more than one race, 0.6% reporting other races (apparently including those who reported being Native American and being Pacific Islander as well as those who just marked the other box) and 2.9% Hispanic or Latino of any race. The African-American population increased by about 200% between 2000 and 2010, while the overall population of the township declined by 6%.

Population trends

The U.S. Census Bureau also defined Redford Township as a census-designated place (CDP) in the 2000 Census so that the community would appear on the list of places (like cities and villages) as well on the list of county subdivisions (like other townships). The final statistics for the township and the CDP were identical.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 51,622 people, 20,182 households, and 13,582 families residing in the township. The population density was 4,597.4 per square mile (1,774.8/km²). There were 20,605 housing units at an average density of 1,835.1 per square mile (708.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 87.98% White, 8.54% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.02% of the population.

There were 20,182 households out of which 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the township the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 34.0% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $49,522, and the median income for a family was $56,461. Males had a median income of $41,923 versus $29,987 for females. The per capita income for the township was $22,263. About 3.2% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 5.2% of those age 65 or over.

As of the census of 2010, there were 48,362 people, 19,148 households, and 12,387 families residing in the township. The population density was 4,597.4 per square mile (1,774.8/km²). There were 20,739 housing units at an average density of 1,835.1 per square mile (708.4/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 66.4% White, 28.9% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9% of the population.

Sister cities

• St. Johann in Tirol, Austria
• Gau-Algesheim, Germany

Education

Schools

The public schools are operated by the Redford Union School District, South Redford School District and Clarenceville School District.

Public high schools include:

• Redford Union High School
• Thurston High School

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit used to operate Bishop Borgess High School and Academy (closed in 2005) and Detroit Catholic Central High School (relocated to Novi, Michigan in 2005) in Redford Township.

Public library

Redford Township Library is located on West Six Mile Road. The library service began in the 1920s, with a bookmobile providing service to the citizens of Redford Township. By the 1950s, the library operated out of a small store front on Beech-Daly Rd. about a block south of Fenkel. A larger, newly constructed and more modern Redford Township District Library operated from 1962 until August 23, 2004, when the library moved again to another newly constructed, even larger, technologically updated building. In a $4.5 million project, the old library building was turned into an open-air market, amphitheater (the Redford Marquee) and public green space. The Redford Marquee opened in July 2008. The construction of the new library was facilitated by an $8.5 million community bond. The 65,000-square-foot (6,000 m²) facility is situated on a 2.6 acres (11,000 m²) site that is being leased for $1 for 99 years. The library's collection consists of 100,000 books and periodicals, 2,500 CDs, records, cassettes and other audio materials, in addition to 2,500 video items.

Notable people

Redford is the birthplace of musician Ted Nugent (December 13, 1948), arena football player Stephen Wasil (April 14, 1984), NFL player Eric Wilson (September 26, 1994), and Paul Waterman, businessman and CEO (July 24, 1964)

See also

In Spanish: Municipio de Redford (condado de Wayne, Míchigan) para niños