Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Grosse Pointe Park is a city in Wayne County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 11,555 at the 2010 census. Bordering on Detroit with frontage on southern Lake Saint Clair
, it is the westernmost of the noted Grosse Pointe
suburbs, with the oldest overall housing stock of the five cities. Grosse Pointe Park is 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Detroit
and thus is home to many who commute to the city on a daily basis.
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²). 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land, and 1.5 square miles (3.9 km²) of it is water (part of Lake St. Clair
). The total area is 41.62% water. Grosse Pointe Park has about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of borders with Detroit, with one border between Alter Road
and Wayburn to the southwest, and another along Mack Avenue to the northwest; its third border on land is with the city of Grosse Pointe
along Cadieux Road to the northeast.
The neighborhoods in Grosse Pointe Park are built on a standard grid street pattern which flows out of Detroit, and housing ranges from tightly-packed single- and multi-family brick houses, often rentals, on the far west side of the Park, to rows of traditionally-styled single family homes generally averaging over 3000 square feet (278.7 m²), to multi-million dollar mansions, some of which are found on the lakeshore. The west side of the city features mixed-use neighborhoods
, where retail, schools, and churches are within close walking distance. The rest of the city is basically residential, but at the eastern edge residents are in close walking distance to "the Village" shopping district in Grosse Pointe
. Many of the houses in the Park were built prior to World War II
, and many of these were designed by noted architects using the finest materials. Windmill Pointe Drive, and streets such as Bishop, Kensington, Yorkshire, Edgemont Park, Three Mile Drive, Devonshire, Buckingham, Berkshire, Balfour, and Nottingham among others, each have dozens of large, architecturally significant homes. These mansions and mini-manses were often placed on large lots which were often split up, the result being that some post-war ranch style homes are mixed in with homes of traditional design.
Grosse Pointe Park includes a large neighborhood located on Windmill Pointe, a once-swampy piece of land roughly south of Jefferson Avenue, the edge of which marks the entrance to the Detroit River
and the end of Lake St. Clair
. A large lakefront park with a pool, gym, movie theatre, and gathering spaces for residents is found at this spot. At the base of the point, at the foot of Three Mile Drive, is another large park, Patterson Park, which is known for its skating rink and walking trails. One way that people distinguish geography in Grosse Pointe Park is by location north or south of Jefferson Avenue, the south side being generalized as Windmill Pointe.
Grosse Pointe Park, along with Grosse Pointe
and Grosse Pointe Farms, is in the Grosse Pointe South High School
district. There are two Grosse Pointe Public School System elementary schools in the Park, Defer and Trombly Schools, in addition to one middle school: Pierce Middle School. The eastern Park is also served by Maire Elementary in Grosse Pointe in the Village district. Then serves the one high school, South High School off Fisher Road. There is one private school in the Park, the K-8 St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School on Charlevoix and Audubon streets.
of 2000, there were 12,443 people, 4,816 households, and 3,303 families residing in the city. The population density
was 5,772.6 per square mile (2,224.2/km²). There were 5,043 housing units at an average density of 2,339.6 per square mile (901.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.48% White, 2.95% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races
, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of the population.
There were 4,816 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples
living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $80,485, and the median income for a family was $104,267. Males had a median income of $73,343 versus $40,095 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $42,051. About 1.8% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2010 census Grosse Pointe Park had a population of 11,555. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 83.0% Non-Hispanic white, 10.5% black, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.3% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 1.9% reporting two or more races and 2.5% Hispanic or Latino.
are located in Grosse Pointe Park.
operates the Carolyn and Ted Ewald Memorial Branch Library in Grosse Pointe Park. The library was scheduled to open in 2004. The 15000 square foot branch was originally scheduled to open in October of that year, but delays moved the opening month to January 2005.
Avro Vulcan
four-engine bomber crashed into the 170 block of Ashland on the south side of the city. The aircraft and the five men aboard were obliterated by the crash (a sixth crew member who ejected is presumed to have drowned in Lake St. Claire
). Astonishingly, only one person on the ground was injured enough to require a hospital stay, and no one on the ground was killed, though property damage was extensive.
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"....
. The population was 11,555 at the 2010 census. Bordering on Detroit with frontage on southern 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...
, it is the westernmost of the noted 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...
suburbs, with the oldest overall housing stock of the five cities. Grosse Pointe Park is 6 miles (9.7 km) east of downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit
Downtown Detroit is the central business district and a residential area of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Downtown is bordered by the Lodge Freeway to the west, the Fisher Freeway to the north, Interstate 375 to the east, and the Detroit River to the south.Downtown contains much historic...
and thus is home to many who commute to the city on a daily basis.
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 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²). 2.2 square miles (5.7 km²) of it is land, and 1.5 square miles (3.9 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 41.62% water. Grosse Pointe Park has about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) of borders with Detroit, with one border between Alter Road
Alter Road
Alter Road is a north-south thoroughfare of approximately four miles length in southeastern Michigan's Wayne County.-Basic History:Although Alter Road itself is completely within the Detroit city limits, nevertheless it is a symbolic dividing line between the overwhelmingly African-American City of...
and Wayburn to the southwest, and another along Mack Avenue to the northwest; its third border on land is with the city of 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...
along Cadieux Road to the northeast.
Mixed-use development
Mixed-use development is the use of a building, set of buildings, or neighborhood for more than one purpose. Since the 1920s, zoning in some countries has required uses to be separated. However, when jobs, housing, and commercial activities are located close together, a community's transportation...
, where retail, schools, and churches are within close walking distance. The rest of the city is basically residential, but at the eastern edge residents are in close walking distance to "the Village" shopping district in 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...
. Many of the houses in the Park were built prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and many of these were designed by noted architects using the finest materials. Windmill Pointe Drive, and streets such as Bishop, Kensington, Yorkshire, Edgemont Park, Three Mile Drive, Devonshire, Buckingham, Berkshire, Balfour, and Nottingham among others, each have dozens of large, architecturally significant homes. These mansions and mini-manses were often placed on large lots which were often split up, the result being that some post-war ranch style homes are mixed in with homes of traditional design.
Grosse Pointe Park includes a large neighborhood located on Windmill Pointe, a once-swampy piece of land roughly south of Jefferson Avenue, the edge of which marks the entrance to 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...
and the end 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...
. A large lakefront park with a pool, gym, movie theatre, and gathering spaces for residents is found at this spot. At the base of the point, at the foot of Three Mile Drive, is another large park, Patterson Park, which is known for its skating rink and walking trails. One way that people distinguish geography in Grosse Pointe Park is by location north or south of Jefferson Avenue, the south side being generalized as Windmill Pointe.
Grosse Pointe Park, along with 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...
and Grosse Pointe Farms, is in the Grosse Pointe South High School
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...
district. There are two Grosse Pointe Public School System elementary schools in the Park, Defer and Trombly Schools, in addition to one middle school: Pierce Middle School. The eastern Park is also served by Maire Elementary in Grosse Pointe in the Village district. Then serves the one high school, South High School off Fisher Road. There is one private school in the Park, the K-8 St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School on Charlevoix and Audubon streets.
Demographics
As of the 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...
of 2000, there were 12,443 people, 4,816 households, and 3,303 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 5,772.6 per square mile (2,224.2/km²). There were 5,043 housing units at an average density of 2,339.6 per square mile (901.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.48% White, 2.95% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.39% 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 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of the population.
There were 4,816 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% 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, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $80,485, and the median income for a family was $104,267. Males had a median income of $73,343 versus $40,095 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 $42,051. About 1.8% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2010 census Grosse Pointe Park had a population of 11,555. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 83.0% Non-Hispanic white, 10.5% black, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.3% Non-Hispanics of some other race, 1.9% reporting two or more races and 2.5% Hispanic or Latino.
Primary and secondary schools
Grosse Pointe Public Schools serves Grosse Pointe Park. Pierce Middle School, Trombly Elementary School, and Defer Elementary SchoolDefer Elementary School
Defer Elementary School is a school building located at 15425 Kercheval in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan. It was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1996 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001.- History :...
are located in Grosse Pointe Park.
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 Carolyn and Ted Ewald Memorial Branch Library in Grosse Pointe Park. The library was scheduled to open in 2004. The 15000 square foot branch was originally scheduled to open in October of that year, but delays moved the opening month to January 2005.
Historical incident
On Friday, 24 October 1958, an RAFRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Avro Vulcan
Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan, sometimes referred to as the Hawker Siddeley Vulcan, was a jet-powered delta wing strategic bomber, operated by the Royal Air Force from 1956 until 1984. Aircraft manufacturer A V Roe & Co designed the Vulcan in response to Specification B.35/46. Of the three V bombers produced,...
four-engine bomber crashed into the 170 block of Ashland on the south side of the city. The aircraft and the five men aboard were obliterated by the crash (a sixth crew member who ejected is presumed to have drowned in Lake St. Claire
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...
). Astonishingly, only one person on the ground was injured enough to require a hospital stay, and no one on the ground was killed, though property damage was extensive.