Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Grosse Pointe Farms is a suburban city bordering Detroit
located in Wayne County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. It ranks as the 76th highest-income city in America. The population was 9,479 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Grosse Pointe
on the west, Detroit on the north, Grosse Pointe Woods
and Grosse Pointe Shores
on the northeast, and Lake Saint Clair
on the south and east. Lakeshore Drive begins in Grosse Pointe Farms, where, just east of Fisher Road, the eastbound driver or pedestrian on Jefferson Avenue descends to lake level, following the curvature of the lakefront to the northeast.
, the city has a total area of 12.3 square miles (31.9 km²). 2.7 square miles (7 km²) of it is land, and 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²) of it is water (part of Lake St. Clair
). The total area is 78.10% water.
The Farms has a more varied topography and streetscape than the other southern Grosse Pointe
s. While Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Park are built on a standard street grid and are basically flat, Grosse Pointe Farms is partially built on the same grid flowing out of Detroit, but also features districts with irregular, curving street paths. Furthermore, a low but noticeable ridge, likely a dune or beach ridge from when Lake Saint Clair was at a higher water level, runs through the center of the city. The Farms also contains the "point" in Grosse Pointe, where, just east of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, there is a large bend in the lakeshore, such that those on the shoreline face east, instead of south, as they do when on the shoreline of neighboring Grosse Pointe, closer to the entrance of the Detroit River
.
The cityscape varies widely, with large sections of old homes ranging from bungalow
s to mansion
s, and a few newer sections with ranch houses or luxury homes built on subdivided estates. The Farms has a downtown on Kercheval Avenue combining historic buildings with newer, neo-traditional storefronts.
, there were 9,764 people, 3,804 households,and 2,868 families residing in the city. The population density
was 3,618.8 per square mile (1,396.3/km²). There were 3,937 housing units at an average density of 1,459.2 per square mile (563.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.65% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.11% from other races
, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 3,804 households of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.
Age distribution was 26.5% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median household income
was $100,153, and the median family income was $109,264. Males had a median income of $87,108 versus $53,241 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $54,846. About 1.5% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
. The media company Saga Communications
is based in Grosse Pointe Farms.
The community is served by Grosse Pointe Public Schools. Grosse Pointe South High School
is in Grosse Pointe Farms.
operates the Central Branch in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
located in Wayne County
Wayne County, Michigan
-History:Wayne County was one of the first counties formed when the Northwest Territory was organized. It was named for the American general "Mad Anthony" Wayne. It originally encompassed the entire area of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, as well as small sections that are now part of northern...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. It ranks as the 76th highest-income city in America. The population was 9,479 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe, Michigan
Grosse Pointe is a suburban city bordering Detroit in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city covers just over one square mile, and had a population of 5,421 at the 2010 census. It is bordered on the west by Grosse Pointe Park, on the north by Detroit, on the east by Grosse Pointe...
on the west, Detroit on the north, Grosse Pointe Woods
Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan
Grosse Pointe Woods is a suburban city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan, comprising a large portion of the Grosse Pointe communities. The population was 16,135 at the 2010 census...
and Grosse Pointe Shores
Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan
Grosse Pointe Shores is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. With only land area, the city is the smallest of the five Grosse Pointe communities. The city, which is entirely residential, is the location of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club on Lake Saint Clair. The city's population was 3,008 at the...
on the northeast, and Lake Saint Clair
Lake Saint Clair (North America)
Lake St. Clair is a fresh-water lake named after Clare of Assisi that lies between the Province of Ontario and the State of Michigan, and its midline also forms the boundary between Canada and the United States of America. Lake St. Clair includes the Anchor Bay along the Metro Detroit coastline...
on the south and east. Lakeshore Drive begins in Grosse Pointe Farms, where, just east of Fisher Road, the eastbound driver or pedestrian on Jefferson Avenue descends to lake level, following the curvature of the lakefront to the northeast.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 12.3 square miles (31.9 km²). 2.7 square miles (7 km²) of it is land, and 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²) of it is water (part of Lake St. Clair
Lake Saint Clair (North America)
Lake St. Clair is a fresh-water lake named after Clare of Assisi that lies between the Province of Ontario and the State of Michigan, and its midline also forms the boundary between Canada and the United States of America. Lake St. Clair includes the Anchor Bay along the Metro Detroit coastline...
). The total area is 78.10% water.
The Farms has a more varied topography and streetscape than the other southern Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe
Grosse Pointe refers to a coastal area in Metro Detroit, Michigan, United States that comprises five adjacent individual communities. From southwest to northeast, they are:*Grosse Pointe Park, city*Grosse Pointe, city*Grosse Pointe Farms, city...
s. While Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Park are built on a standard street grid and are basically flat, Grosse Pointe Farms is partially built on the same grid flowing out of Detroit, but also features districts with irregular, curving street paths. Furthermore, a low but noticeable ridge, likely a dune or beach ridge from when Lake Saint Clair was at a higher water level, runs through the center of the city. The Farms also contains the "point" in Grosse Pointe, where, just east of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, there is a large bend in the lakeshore, such that those on the shoreline face east, instead of south, as they do when on the shoreline of neighboring Grosse Pointe, closer to the entrance of the Detroit River
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
.
The cityscape varies widely, with large sections of old homes ranging from bungalow
Bungalow
A bungalow is a type of house, with varying meanings across the world. Common features to many of these definitions include being detached, low-rise , and the use of verandahs...
s to mansion
Mansion
A mansion is a very large dwelling house. U.S. real estate brokers define a mansion as a dwelling of over . A traditional European mansion was defined as a house which contained a ballroom and tens of bedrooms...
s, and a few newer sections with ranch houses or luxury homes built on subdivided estates. The Farms has a downtown on Kercheval Avenue combining historic buildings with newer, neo-traditional storefronts.
Demographics
At the 2000 censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 9,764 people, 3,804 households,and 2,868 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 3,618.8 per square mile (1,396.3/km²). There were 3,937 housing units at an average density of 1,459.2 per square mile (563.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.65% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.11% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 3,804 households of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.
Age distribution was 26.5% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median household income
Median household income
The median household income is commonly used to generate data about geographic areas and divides households into two equal segments with the first half of households earning less than the median household income and the other half earning more...
was $100,153, and the median family income was $109,264. Males had a median income of $87,108 versus $53,241 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $54,846. About 1.5% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
The largest employer in Grosse Pointe Farms is the Henry Ford Medical CenterHenry Ford Health System
The Henry Ford Health System is a comprehensive, integrated, non-profit, managed care, health care organization located in Southeast Michigan. The corporate office is in Detroit, Michigan...
. The media company Saga Communications
Saga Communications
Saga Communications is a broadcasting company that owns and operates stations in 26 markets in the United States. The company, which is based in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, primarily operates radio stations , but it also operates 9 television stations Saga Communications is a broadcasting...
is based in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Primary and secondary schools
Grosse Pointe South High School
Grosse Pointe South High School , commonly called South, is one of two public high schools located in the Grosse Pointes, suburban cities adjacent to Detroit, Michigan. At the corner of Fisher Road and Grosse Pointe Blvd in Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe High School, the first public high...
is in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Public libraries
The Grosse Pointe Public LibraryGrosse Pointe Public Library
Grosse Pointe Public Library is a public library system serving the Grosse Pointe area of Wayne County, Michigan.The Carolyn and Ted Ewald Memorial Branch Library in Grosse Pointe Park was scheduled to open in 2004...
operates the Central Branch in Grosse Pointe Farms.
Noted residents
- Meg WhiteMeg WhiteMegan Martha "Meg" White is an American drummer best known for her work in the Detroit rock duo The White Stripes.-Early life:...
of The White StripesThe White StripesThe White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
grew up in Grosse Pointe Farms, according to her former husband, John "Jack" White, né Gillis.