Rochester Hills, Michigan

Rochester Hills is a city in northeast Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 70,995. The City of Rochester is bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills. Rochester Hills is a suburb/exurb on the northern outskirts of Metro Detroit. Rochester College is located in Rochester Hills, and Oakland University is located partly in Rochester Hills and partly in neighboring Auburn Hills, although it uses a Rochester mailing address. Avondale School District and Rochester Community Schools are the public school districts in Rochester Hills. Other institutions located within the city limits include Leader Dogs for the Blind and Crittenton Hospital. The unincorporated village of Stony Creek is located within the city boundaries.

Much of the area in the northernmost mile (48306) is wooded, making it appealing for those looking for privacy and upscale housing. The area is also home to local athletes, celebrities, upper class residents and business executives from Detroit and Flint metro areas. This is evidenced by the demographics listed below.

Major airports around the area include Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan, and Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus, Michigan.

History
The first European settler was James Graham who arrived in 1817. Avon Township was organized in 1835. Rochester incorporated as a village within the township in 1869. The township adopted a charter in 1948 under the Home Rule Act. In 1966, Rochester residents voted to become a city, effective in February 1967. As a result, Rochester residents no longer had to pay property taxes to the township.

In 1967, the township filed a petition to become a city. In January 1968, township voters approve the petition to move forward with seeking city status. Three proposed city charters were voted down by residents, the first in March 1969, the second in May 1970, and the third in September 1971. The city of Rochester then sought to annex all of the township, which was unanimously denied by the Michigan Boundary Commission. In 1972, petitions were filed to consolidate Avon Township and Rochester. In April 1974, the consolidation petition lost by 350 votes in the township, while passing by four votes in Rochester. In May 1974, Rochester's petition to annex 2.2 sqmi of Avon Township was approved by the Michigan Boundaries Commission. The township became Avon Charter Township in August 1978. Court challenges to the 1974 annexation continued until November 1981, when the township was ordered to surrender the annexed property.

In May 1984, township voters approved a city charter. On November 20, 1984 the township became the City of Rochester Hills. The name of the new city was put to a vote, with the other choice being "Avon Hills". The name "Rochester Hills" won with voters based on the area's historical ties to Rochester, and the rolling hills that exist in the area. Township Supervisor Earl E. Borden became Rochester Hills' first mayor.

Communities
Stoney Creek - unincorporated village, on the northeast end of the city. It holds no official designation, both locally or statewide, and shares space in both Rochester and Rochester Hills.

Geography
The City of Rochester Hills is bordered on the north by Oakland Charter Township, the east by the City of Rochester and Shelby Township and that border with Macomb County, the south by the City of Troy, and on the west by the City of Auburn Hills. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 32.9 square miles (85.3 km²), of which, 32.8 square miles (85.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it (0.24%) is water. Elevation's in the city range from 690 Ft. in the southeastern portion of the city to 1,010 ft. in the northwestern portion of the city. The City Of Rochester is bordered to its South by Rochester Hills, as well, as Rochester is partly surrounded by Rochester Hills.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 68,825 people, 26,315 households, and 18,973 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,095.2 per square mile (808.9/km²). There were 27,263 housing units at an average density of 830.0 per square mile (320.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.75% White, 6.76% Asian, 2.42% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $80,882, and the median income for a family was around $101,000. Males had a median income of $69,280 versus $40,405 for females. The per capita income for the city was $35,070. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Top employers
According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:

Parks
The city operates the following parks:
 * Allen Park
 * Avon Nature Area
 * Avondale Park
 * Bloomer Park
 * Borden Park
 * Clinton River Trail
 * Nowicki Park
 * Paint Creek Trail
 * Pine Trace Golf Club
 * Riverbend Park
 * Spencer Park
 * Veterans Memorial Pointe
 * Wabash Park
 * Yates Park