Rochester Hills is a city in Oakland County, Michigan. It is a northern suburb of Detroit. The city is about 25 miles (40 km) north of downtown Detroit. In 2020, about 76,300 people lived there.

The first European settlers arrived in the area in 1817. It was organized as Avon Township in 1835. The nearby City of Rochester became a city in 1967. The rest of Avon Township became the City of Rochester Hills in 1984.

Communities in Rochester Hills
- Stony Creek Neighborhood
- Yates Area
History of Rochester Hills
Geography and Landscape
- Location and Borders
- Elevation
Population and People
- 2020 Population Details
- 2010 Population Details
Education in Rochester Hills
Famous People from Rochester Hills

Communities in Rochester Hills

Rochester Hills has a few distinct areas within its borders.

Stony Creek Neighborhood

Stony Creek is a neighborhood in the northeast part of the city. It is near the border with Rochester.

Yates Area

Yates is an area on the border with Rochester and Shelby Township. It is about 669 feet (204 meters) above sea level.

History of Rochester Hills

Before European settlers came, the area of Rochester Hills was home to Native American tribes. The Potawatomi people lived here. They used the Clinton River and Paint Creek for water. These rivers helped them grow crops, fish, and travel. In 1807, the Treaty of Detroit made them give up their land. Other tribes like the Odawa, Wyandot, and Ojibwe also left the area.

Early Settlements

The first European settler was James Graham in 1817. His family followed trails made by the Sauk Native Americans. Avon Township was officially set up in 1835. The village of Rochester became part of the township in 1869. In 1948, the township adopted a special rule called the Home Rule Act. A post office named Brooklands was also opened in 1948.

Becoming a City

In 1966, people living in the village of Rochester voted to become the City of Rochester. This happened in 1967. This meant Rochester residents no longer paid taxes to Avon Township.

In 1967, Avon Township also wanted to become a city. Voters approved this idea in 1968. However, they voted against three different plans for a new city government. The City of Rochester then tried to take over all of the township. But the Michigan Boundary Commission said no.

In 1972, there were talks about joining Avon Township and Rochester. In 1974, Rochester's plan to take over a small part of Avon Township was approved. This part had a large taxpayer, which was a loss for the township. Avon Township became Avon Charter Township in 1978. Legal challenges about the land continued until 1981.

Birth of Rochester Hills

In 1984, voters in the township finally approved a plan to become a city. On November 20, 1984, Avon Township officially became the City of Rochester Hills. Voters chose the name "Rochester Hills" over "Avon Hills." They liked the connection to Rochester and the rolling hills in the area. Earl E. Borden, who was the township supervisor, became the first mayor of Rochester Hills.

Geography and Landscape

Rochester Hills covers about 32.91 square miles (85.22 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 32.82 square miles (84.96 square kilometers), is land. Only a small part, about 0.09 square miles (0.25 square kilometers), is water.

Location and Borders

Rochester Hills is bordered by several other towns and cities.

To the north is Oakland Charter Township.
To the south is the city of Troy.
To the east is Shelby Township in Macomb County.
To the west is the city of Auburn Hills.
The city of Rochester also borders Rochester Hills on the east side.

Elevation

The land in Rochester Hills varies in height. The lowest parts are about 690 feet (210 meters) above sea level. The highest parts are in the northwest, reaching about 1,032 feet (315 meters).

Population and People

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1990	61,766	—
2000	68,825	11.4%
2010	70,995	3.2%
2020	76,300	7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 Population Details

In 2020, Rochester Hills had 76,293 people living in 28,766 homes. This means there were about 2,360 people per square mile (911 people per square kilometer).

Most people in the city, about 79.6%, were White. About 12.8% were Asian, and 3.7% were African American. About 2.9% of people were from two or more races. A small number, 0.1%, were Native American. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 5.6% of the population. About 19.8% of the people living in Rochester Hills were born in another country.

The average income for a household was about $99,666. About 4.2% of people lived in poverty. Most residents, 77.4%, owned their homes.

The number of Asian residents in Rochester Hills has grown a lot. Between 2000 and 2010, it increased by 61%. By 2020, Asian people made up 12.8% of the city's population.

2010 Population Details

In 2010, there were 70,995 people in Rochester Hills. There were 27,578 households and 19,308 families. The population density was about 2,163 people per square mile (835 people per square kilometer).

The racial makeup was 89.1% White, 2.5% African American, 0.2% Native American, and 4.5% Asian. About 1.9% were from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people made up 1.1% of the population.

About 33.2% of homes had children under 18. Most homes, 59.2%, were married couples living together. The average household had 2.53 people, and the average family had 3.08 people.

The average age in the city was 40.9 years. About 23.7% of residents were under 18. About 13.8% were 65 or older.

Education in Rochester Hills

Most students in Rochester Hills attend schools in the Rochester Community Schools district.

High Schools

Rochester Adams High School
Rochester High School
Stoney Creek High School

These high schools are all located within Rochester Hills.

Colleges and Universities

The city is also home to higher education.

Oakland University offers college and graduate programs.
Rochester Christian University also provides college-level studies.

Other School Districts

Some parts of Rochester Hills are served by the Avondale School District.

Deerfield Elementary School is in Rochester Hills.
Other students might go to Auburn Elementary School in Auburn Hills or Woodland Elementary School in Troy.
All Avondale School District residents go to Avondale Middle School in Rochester Hills.
They then attend Avondale High School in Auburn Hills.
The Meadows School, Avondale Academy, and the Avondale School District's transportation department are also in Rochester Hills.

Public Library

The Rochester Hills Public Library serves the city. People from the nearby City of Rochester and Oakland Township can also use this library.

Famous People from Rochester Hills

Many interesting people have lived in Rochester Hills or the nearby city of Rochester. Here are a few:

Mike Bishop, a politician.
Tommy Clufetos, a professional drummer.
Paul Davis, a professional basketball player.
Eminem, a famous rapper.
Eric Fisher, a professional football player.
Hal Foster, an artist and writer.
Amy Frazier, a professional tennis player.
Jay Gibbons, a professional baseball player.
Andrew Good, a professional baseball player.
Idris Goodwin, a playwright and poet.
Shawn Hare, a professional baseball player.
Greg and Tim Hildebrandt, fantasy artists. They painted the original Star Wars movie poster.
Rude Jude, a television and radio personality.
George Jamison, a professional football player.
Bob Keselowski, a NASCAR driver.
Brad Keselowski, a NASCAR driver.
Brian Keselowski, a NASCAR driver.
Walt Kowalczyk, a professional football player.
Jana Kramer, a country music singer and actress.
Madonna, a world-famous pop singer and actress.
Alec Martinez, a professional hockey player.
Craig Owens, lead singer of the band Chiodos.
Roxy Petrucci, drummer for the band Vixen.
Brian Sell, a marathon runner.
Haley Stevens, a politician.
Ron Teachworth, an educator, artist, writer, and filmmaker.
Dita von Teese, a burlesque artist and model.
Jacob Trouba, a hockey player.
Peter Vanderkaay, an Olympic gold medal swimmer.
Jason Varitek, a professional baseball player.
Robert Simpson Woodward, a physicist and mathematician.
George Zamka, a NASA astronaut and Marine Corps pilot.

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Rochester Hills, Michigan Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.

Rochester Hills, Michigan facts for kids

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