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 Township is a special kind of town called a charter township in Wayne County, Michigan. It's a suburb of Detroit, located about 15 kilometers (9 miles) northwest of downtown Detroit. In 2020, about 49,504 people lived there.

A Look Back: Redford's History

Redford Township has an interesting past. It was officially created on October 29, 1829. Before that, it was part of a larger area.

How Redford Got Its Name

The name "Redford" was chosen in March 1833. It comes from how early settlers and Native Americans crossed the River Rouge in this area. "Rouge" is a French word that means "red." So, "Redford" means the "red ford" or crossing point.

Changes Over Time

Redford Township used to be much larger. In the 1920s, some of its eastern parts became part of Detroit. This stopped in 1926 when Michigan made Redford a "charter" township. This special status helped it keep its boundaries.

Exploring Redford's Geography

Redford Township is a western suburb of Detroit. It covers an area of about 29.1 square kilometers (11.2 square miles), and it's all land.

Rivers and Creeks

Several parts of the River Rouge flow through Redford. The middle branch goes through Lola Valley Park. Ashcroft Creek also flows through the southeastern part of the township. Tarabusi Creek, another branch, flows through Western Golf Club and Bell Creek Park.

Who Lives in Redford: Demographics

Redford Township has seen its population change over the years.

Population in 2020

In 2020, Redford Township had a population of 49,504 people. The community is diverse, with many different backgrounds represented.

Learning in Redford: Education

Redford Township has several schools and a public library.

Local Schools

Public schools in Redford are managed by three different districts:

• Redford Union School District
• South Redford School District
• Clarenceville School District

High schools in the area include:

• Redford Union High School
• Thurston High School

The Public Library

The Redford Township Library is on West Six Mile Road. It started in the 1920s with a bookmobile. Over the years, the library moved to bigger and more modern buildings. The current library opened in 2004. It's a large building with many books, CDs, and videos for everyone to enjoy. The old library building was turned into an outdoor market and amphitheater.

Getting Around: Highways

Several important roads and highways pass through Redford Township, making it easy to travel to and from the area.

• I-96
• US 24 (Telegraph Road)
• M-5 (West Grand River Avenue)
• M-102 (Eight Mile Road)

Famous Faces from Redford

Some well-known people were born or grew up in Redford Township:

• Ted Nugent (born 1948): A famous musician.
• Stephen Wasil (born 1984): An arena football player.
• Eric Wilson (born 1994): An NFL football player.
• Paul Waterman (born 1964): A businessman and CEO.

Global Connections: Sister Cities

Redford Township has "sister city" relationships with two towns in Europe. This means they share cultural and educational exchanges.

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