Romeo, Michigan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Romeo, Michigan
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Village
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Downtown at 32 Mile Road and Main Street
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| Nickname(s):
Uptown, The Four Corners
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Location within Macomb County
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 Romeo, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Romeo, Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Macomb |
| Townships | Bruce; Washington |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.05 sq mi (5.32 km2) |
| • Land | 2.05 sq mi (5.31 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) |
| Elevation | 810 ft (250 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 3,767 |
| • Density | 1,835.77/sq mi (708.89/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
48065
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| Area code(s) | 586 |
| FIPS code | 26-69400 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0636145 |
Romeo is a small village in Macomb County, Michigan. In 2020, about 3,767 people lived there. Romeo is located near the edge of the Detroit metropolitan area. Many people who live in Romeo travel to jobs closer to the big city.
Contents
History of Romeo
The area where Romeo now stands was first home to the Ojibwe people. They are an Algonquian-speaking tribe. These tribes lived around the Great Lakes and likely moved to this area by the 1100s.
Early Settlements
Early European-American settlers called the Ojibwe village "Indian Village." In the 1820s and 1830s, more European-American families moved here. They built homes and started businesses. They later renamed the community "Hoxie's Settlement." This was after a man who opened an inn on Main Street.
How Romeo Got Its Name
In 1839, Hoxie's Settlement officially became a village and was renamed Romeo. The name was suggested by the wife of a local merchant, Nathaniel Taylor. She thought it was "short, musical, classical and uncommon." Romeo celebrated its 175th birthday on March 9, 2013.
Romeo was once a busy center for the timber industry. Many mills processed wood from the surrounding area. Wealthy families who made money from timber lived here. You can still see many grand Victorian houses in Romeo.
Romeo is special because its downtown area has never had a big fire. This means some shops and restaurants still have their original tin ceilings from the Civil War era. In the early 1900s, Romeo was also home to an early car company. The Detroit Auto Vehicle Company operated here from 1904 to 1908.
Geography of Romeo
Romeo is in the northwest part of Macomb County. It sits mostly in Bruce Township. A small part of the village extends south into Washington Township.
Location and Waterways
M-53 runs along the east side of the village. This highway goes north about 16 miles to Imlay City. It goes south about 30 miles to the east side of Detroit.
The village of Romeo covers about 2.05 square miles. Only a tiny bit of this area is water. East Pond Creek flows through the eastern part of the village. This creek eventually flows into the North Branch of the Clinton River. This river is part of the Lake St. Clair watershed.
Schools in Romeo
Romeo has one high school, which includes a ninth-grade academy. There is also one middle school and five elementary schools. Most of these schools are located just outside the village limits.
People of Romeo
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 330 | — | |
| 1880 | 1,629 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,637 | 0.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,580 | −3.5% | |
| 1910 | 1,787 | 13.1% | |
| 1920 | 2,102 | 17.6% | |
| 1930 | 2,283 | 8.6% | |
| 1940 | 2,627 | 15.1% | |
| 1950 | 2,985 | 13.6% | |
| 1960 | 3,327 | 11.5% | |
| 1970 | 4,012 | 20.6% | |
| 1980 | 3,509 | −12.5% | |
| 1990 | 3,520 | 0.3% | |
| 2000 | 3,721 | 5.7% | |
| 2010 | 3,596 | −3.4% | |
| 2020 | 3,767 | 4.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
In 2010, Romeo had 3,596 people living there. There were 1,501 households and 979 families. The village had about 1,780 people per square mile.
Most of the people in Romeo were White (91.9%). Other groups included African American (3.8%), Native American (0.2%), and Asian (0.5%). About 5.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Age
About 32.2% of households had children under 18. Many households (46.2%) were married couples. About 30.8% of households were single individuals. The average age in the village was 40.9 years old.
Fun Events in Romeo
Romeo hosts several fun events throughout the year.
Michigan Lavender Festival
Every summer, Romeo holds the annual Michigan Lavender Festival. This happens when lavender plants are at their best.
Michigan Peach Festival
Romeo also hosts a Michigan Peach Festival each year on Labor Day weekend. This festival started in 1931 to celebrate local peach orchards. Today, it includes a 5K/10K run, a car show, three parades, and carnival rides. There is also a craft show and a Kidsfest. A Peach Queen is chosen each year to represent Romeo. The Romeo Lions Club helps organize this festival.
Tillson Street Halloween
Tillson Street in Romeo is famous for its amazing Halloween decorations. Thousands of people visit Tillson Street every Halloween. They come to see the unique and creative displays homeowners create.
Valentine's Day Postmark
On February 14th, Romeo offers a special postmark. It is a dual postmark with the community of Juliette, Georgia. This tradition started in 1994. It is a fun way to honor the famous play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.
Famous People from Romeo
- Frank Bowerman – A baseball catcher in Major League Baseball.
- Harold Courlander – A writer, folklorist, and anthropologist.
- Edwin Henry Hackley – A lawyer.
- Kid Rock – A musician, singer, and rapper who was born in Romeo.
- Jill Ritchie – An actress.
- Tom Sharpe – A drummer for Mannheim Steamroller and Dennis DeYoung.
- Ben Stephens – A baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball.
- Henry Stephens – A wealthy lumber businessman.
See also
In Spanish: Romeo (Míchigan) para niños
