Romulus, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Romulus is a suburban city of Metro Detroit
, located in Wayne County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. The population was 23,989 at the 2010 census
, an increase from 22,979 in 2000
. Romulus is home to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
and a General Motors
plant (Romulus Engine
) that opened in 1976. The city is the westernmost community in the Downriver
area in Wayne County.
, the city has a total area of 35.9 square miles (93 km²), of which 35.9 square miles (93 km²) is land and 0.03% is water. The City of Romulus is bound to the North by Van Born Road, to the South by Pennsylvania Road, to the East by Inkster Road, and to the West by Hannan Road.
of 2000, there were 22,979 people, 8,439 households, and 5,941 families residing in the city. The population density
was 639.9 per square mile (247.1/km²). There were 8,943 housing units at an average density of 249.0 per square mile (96.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.36% White, 29.99% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races
, and 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.01% of the population.
There were 8,439 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples
living together, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the cities population consists of 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,088, and the median income for a family was $51,497. Males had a median income of $41,372 versus $27,517 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,679. About 10.6% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.
The first settler in the area that was the village of Romulus prior to the 1965 annexation of the whole village and township into one city was Samuel McMath, who moved from New York state to the area in 1827. He improved land and planned to bring his family to settle there, but he died before he could carry out this plan.
Solomon Whitaker, Charles and Joseph Pulcifer located in the area in 1830, and in 1833, Jenks Pullen and his six sons settled at what became known as "Pullen's Corners" (located in section 19 at the intersection that is now commonly called "Five Points"). Pullen's Corners was plat
ted in 1836. The community later took on the name of the Township.
The Township of Romulus was set off from a part of Huron Township
by an Act of the Territorial Legislature on March 17, 1835, and the first township meeting was held on April 16, 1835, two years before the State of Michigan was admitted in to the Union (1837), in the house of Joseph T. Pullen. The first supervisor was David J. Pullen. The Township's name was changed to "Wayne" on March 19, 1845, but was changed back to Romulus on January 16, 1848.
Romulus incorporated as a city in 1970.
has its headquarters in the L.C. Smith Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport
in Romulus.
The United States Postal Service
operates the Romulus-Carl W. Morris Post Office.
in Van Buren Township or parks in adjacent communities.
The Romulus Athletic Center, located at 35765 Northline Road, is a facility for recreation and conferences.
serves and educates the children in the City of Romulus and other communities, which it has been fulfilling for decades. The district is made up of a high school (Romulus Senior High School
), a middle school (Romulus Middle School), and 4 elementary schools (Barth, Halecreek, Romulus, and Wick). The Summit Academy Schools and the Metro Charter Academy(NHA) also educate children.
", Sufjan Stevens
recorded a single titled "Romulus". The
song has a country and easy listening rhythm.
Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
, 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"....
. The population was 23,989 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
, an increase from 22,979 in 2000
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
. Romulus is home to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport , usually called Detroit Metro Airport, Metro Airport locally, or simply DTW, is a major international airport covering in Romulus, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It is Michigan's busiest airport....
and a General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
plant (Romulus Engine
Romulus Engine
Romulus Engine is an automobile engine factory in Romulus, Michigan. Opened in 1976, the factory produces engines for General Motors products....
) that opened in 1976. The city is the westernmost community in the Downriver
Downriver
Downriver is the unofficial name for a collection of 18 suburban cities and townships in Wayne County, Michigan south of Detroit along the western shore of the Detroit River....
area in Wayne County.
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 35.9 square miles (93 km²), of which 35.9 square miles (93 km²) is land and 0.03% is water. The City of Romulus is bound to the North by Van Born Road, to the South by Pennsylvania Road, to the East by Inkster Road, and to the West by Hannan Road.
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 22,979 people, 8,439 households, and 5,941 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 639.9 per square mile (247.1/km²). There were 8,943 housing units at an average density of 249.0 per square mile (96.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.36% White, 29.99% African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 0.81% 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 2.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.01% of the population.
There were 8,439 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% 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, 18.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.19.
In the cities population consists of 29.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,088, and the median income for a family was $51,497. Males had a median income of $41,372 versus $27,517 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 $19,679. About 10.6% of families and 12.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.8% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
The first Euro-American settler in Romulus was Samuel Polyne, a French-Canadian, who located on section 2 in 1826, though he left soon after the township was organized in 1835.The first settler in the area that was the village of Romulus prior to the 1965 annexation of the whole village and township into one city was Samuel McMath, who moved from New York state to the area in 1827. He improved land and planned to bring his family to settle there, but he died before he could carry out this plan.
Solomon Whitaker, Charles and Joseph Pulcifer located in the area in 1830, and in 1833, Jenks Pullen and his six sons settled at what became known as "Pullen's Corners" (located in section 19 at the intersection that is now commonly called "Five Points"). Pullen's Corners was plat
Plat
A plat in the U.S. is a map, drawn to scale, showing the divisions of a piece of land. Other English-speaking countries generally call such documents a cadastral map or plan....
ted in 1836. The community later took on the name of the Township.
The Township of Romulus was set off from a part of Huron Township
Huron Charter Township, Michigan
Huron Charter Township is a charter township of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,879 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
by an Act of the Territorial Legislature on March 17, 1835, and the first township meeting was held on April 16, 1835, two years before the State of Michigan was admitted in to the Union (1837), in the house of Joseph T. Pullen. The first supervisor was David J. Pullen. The Township's name was changed to "Wayne" on March 19, 1845, but was changed back to Romulus on January 16, 1848.
Romulus incorporated as a city in 1970.
Underground Railroad stops
- Samuel Kingsley Home is a famous historic landmark in Romulus. During slave times, Samuel L. Kingsley lived in a house on Ozga Rd near Pullens Corners, what is today known as Five Points. He hid slaves in an underground cellar. Today, the house is located on Hunt Street across from the Romulus Historical Museum. The address to the house was 37426 S. Huron River Drive.
- The White Church at the Pullens Corner / Five Points was also an underground railroad stop. Today, the church, which is now called Romulus Wesleyan Church, still sits at the corner.
Preston
Preston was located in the north-east part of Romulus. It had a post office from 1899 to 1906.Chemical plant explosion
On August 9, 2005 at approximately 9:30 p.m., the EQ Recovery Plant caught fire. Citizens within 1 to 1⅓ mile radius were forced to evacuate their homes. Romulus and Wayne fire crews and crews from neighboring communities managed to put out the fire after letting it burn down a little bit. Chemical-filled smoke filled the sky, causing respiratory problems. Many citizens from both Romulus and Wayne were taken to Oakwood Annapolis Hospital, about two miles from the explosion site. No one was injured.Government and infrastructure
The Wayne County Airport AuthorityWayne County Airport Authority
Wayne County Airport Authority is a governmental entity that operates airports in Metro Detroit in Michigan. The agency has its headquarters in the L.C. Smith Terminal at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Romulus...
has its headquarters in the L.C. Smith Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport , usually called Detroit Metro Airport, Metro Airport locally, or simply DTW, is a major international airport covering in Romulus, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It is Michigan's busiest airport....
in Romulus.
The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
operates the Romulus-Carl W. Morris Post Office.
Famous former residents
- Charley Lau - American baseball player and hitting coach
- Terry MillsTerry MillsTerry Richard Mills is a retired American professional basketball player at the power forward position.After a standout career at Romulus High School, Mills was named 1986 Mr. Basketball of Michigan...
- Former professional basketball player (Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
) - John LongJohn LongJohn Long may refer to:*John Long , English Member of Parliament for Cricklade*John Long , Archbishop of Armagh*John Long , member of the Parliament of Ireland in 1689 for Midleton, County Cork...
- Former professional basketball player (Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
) - Grant LongGrant LongGrant Andrew Long is a retired American professional basketball player. He played over 1,000 NBA games over a 15-year career....
- Former professional basketball player, nephew of John Long (Detroit PistonsDetroit PistonsThe Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
) - Fred Russell - Former professional football player
Parks and recreation
After a failed city millage in February 2011, city officials had to close all of the city parks enable to keep city financially stable, including Elmer Johnson Community Park, Eugenio Fernandez Park, and Park #1. However, the Downtown Development Authority were willing to maintain the operations of Mary Ann Banks Park, reopening the park in Spring 2011. Unfortunately, the remaining parks are closed to the public until furter notice. Residents seek park activities in nearby Lower Huron MetroparkLower Huron Metropark
Lower Huron Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton system of metro parks. The park covers along the Huron River and has a Par-3 golf course, hike-bike trails and self-guided nature trails. In the winter, the park has ice skating ponds. The park also has a water slide amusement facility, the...
in Van Buren Township or parks in adjacent communities.
The Romulus Athletic Center, located at 35765 Northline Road, is a facility for recreation and conferences.
Education
The Romulus Community School DistrictRomulus Community School District
Romulus Community School District, also referred to as Romulus Community Schools and Romulus Public Schools, is a public school district in Romulus, Michigan...
serves and educates the children in the City of Romulus and other communities, which it has been fulfilling for decades. The district is made up of a high school (Romulus Senior High School
Romulus Senior High School
Romulus Senior High School or Romulus High School is the public high school in the city of Romulus, Michigan . Located at 9650 South Wayne Road, just north of Interstate 94, it is right around the corner from Romulus Middle School.The school's mascot is the Eagle, and the school colors are maroon...
), a middle school (Romulus Middle School), and 4 elementary schools (Barth, Halecreek, Romulus, and Wick). The Summit Academy Schools and the Metro Charter Academy(NHA) also educate children.
In pop culture
Released on his 2003 album entitled "MichiganMichigan (album)
Bonus tracks included on the double-disc vinyl release:#"Marching Band" – 3:41#"Niagara Falls" – 2:22#"Pickerel Lake" – 3:11#"Presidents and Magistrates" – 4:16#"Vito's Ordination Song" – 5:25#"Wolverine" – 2:10...
", Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
recorded a single titled "Romulus". The
song has a country and easy listening rhythm.