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Livonia, Michigan
—  City  —
City of Livonia
LivoniaMiCityHall
Livonia City Hall
Nickname(s): L-Town
Wayne County Michigan Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Livonia highlighted
Location of Livonia within Michigan
Coordinates: 42°23′50″N 83°22′25″W / 42.39722, -83.37361Coordinates: 42°23′50″N 83°22′25″W / 42.39722, -83.37361
Country United States
State Michigan
County Wayne
Government
 • Type City
 • Mayor Jack Kirksey
Area[1]
 • City 35.86 sq mi (92.88 km2)
 • Land 35.70 sq mi (92.46 km2)
 • Water 0.16 sq mi (0.41 km2)
Elevation 640 ft (206 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • City 96,942
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 95,586
 • Density 2,715.5/sq mi (1,048.5/km2)
 • Metro 4,285,832 (Detroit metro)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 48150-48154
Area code(s) 734, 248
FIPS code 26-49000
GNIS feature ID 0630841[4]
Website http://www.ci.livonia.mi.us/

Livonia is a city in the northwest part of Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Livonia is a very large suburb with an array of traditional neighborhoods (most of which were built in the 1950s and 1960s) connected to the metropolitan area by freeways. The population was 96,942 at the 2010 census, making it Michigan's 9th largest municipality.[5] The municipality is a part of Metro Detroit, and is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest from downtown Detroit, and less than two miles (3 km) from the western city limits of Detroit (Redford Township lies in between the two).

History[]

First settled by pioneers from New England and New York, an act by the Legislature of the Territory of Michigan established the borders of Livonia Township on March 17, 1835. The settlers brought with them the name "Livonia", a name that had already been given to Livonia, New York, Livonia, Pennsylvania and a region of the Baltic Sea named Livonia in present day Estonia and Latvia, from which many early settlers came.[6][7][8]

During the days it was a township there were many small communities in Livonia. One of these was Elmwood initially known as McKinley's Station. It was a stop on the Detroit, Lansing and Northern Railroad. It had a post office from 1858 until 1906.[9] There was a post office in the township named Giltedge from 1899 until 1902.[10]

Livonia was incorporated into a city on May 23, 1950, by vote of the citizens of the township. A significant motivation was to gain tax revenues from the DRC (Detroit Race Course), which was Michigan's only thoroughbred horse racetrack that closed in 1998.

Livonia has been visited by six U.S. presidents: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush.[11]

Economy[]

In addition to its schools, colleges, churches, parks, recreation center, libraries, and St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia also has commercial and industrial sectors, restaurants, and shopping. Laurel Park Place, an upscale fashion mall with 74 stores, was built in 1989 at 6 Mile Road and Newburgh Road. Carson's and Von Maur department stores serve as anchors.

The city previously featured two other malls. Wonderland Mall was the first, opening in 1959 and closing in 2003; it was replaced with a development called Wonderland Village, anchored by Walmart and Target. Livonia Mall was built to the north in 1964. It also closed in 2008 and was redeveloped as Livonia Marketplace, featuring a second Walmart, along with Sears and Kohl's. Other big-box stores are located near Laurel Park Place.

Livonia is home to the Livonia Hockey Association, the largest amateur hockey association in Michigan, as well as two-time state champions the Livonia Knights. The city also boasts the Livonia City Soccer Club (LCSC), one of the largest soccer programs in the state with 1,300 participants. Livonia is also home to the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC).

Major employers and business establishments[]

LaurelParkPlace pano2a

Laurel Park Place, east entrance.

  • A123 Systems
  • Awrey Bakeries[12]
  • CBS/Fox Video, 1985-1988, affiliate of Twentieth Century Fox.
  • Comerica Bank
  • Ford Motor Company[12]
  • General Motors[12]
  • The Harvard Drug Group
  • Livonia Public Schools
  • Madonna University
  • McKesson Pharmaceuticals
  • NYX, Inc.
  • Roush Industries
  • Schoolcraft College
  • Sears, Roebuck & Co.[12]
  • St. Mary Mercy Hospital[12]
  • Technicolor Video Services
  • Tower International
  • TRW Automotive
  • United Parcel Service[12]
  • Valassis


Education[]

Colleges and universities[]

LivoniaMichiganEMU-CE1

Eastern Michigan University, Continuing Education Center in LivoniaLivoniaMichiganEMU-CE2

Livonia is home to various private/public colleges & universities, including Madonna University and Schoolcraft College, a small University of Phoenix campus, and a Continuing Education Center of Eastern Michigan University. The most recent university to open in Livonia is a Davenport University campus, which opened on September 26, 2008.

  • Madonna University
  • Schoolcraft Community College
  • University of Phoenix
  • Davenport University

Primary and secondary schools[]

Livonia Public Schools Administration Building Michigan

Livonia Public Schools administration

Most of the City of Livonia is served by the Livonia Public Schools District, consisting of two Early Childhood Centers, 13 elementary schools, four Upper Elementary Schools, three middle schools, three high schools, and one Career Center. Since the 1960s, the district has consistently been ranked in the top 5 school districts statewide. The district also serves students in portions of Westland. There is, however, a portion of northeast Livonia that is served by the Clarenceville School District.

There are currently five high schools in Livonia, four of which are public: Franklin, Churchill, and Stevenson High Schools in the Livonia Public Schools district. Bentley High School, the first high school built in the district, was closed in 1985. Clarenceville High School in the Clarenceville Public School District, and one private: Ladywood High School, a Catholic all-girls school run by the Felician Sisters.

Each Livonia Public Schools high school offers a different educational program. Stevenson High School is the home of the school of Global Education, an alternative education model which combines students' English and Social Studies classes with a focus on the student's role in the world. Churchill houses the MSC and CAPA programs, (Math, Science, and Computers and Creative and Performing Arts). Franklin currently offers an International Baccalaureate program for select students.

Frost Middle School houses the Middle Alternative Classrooms for the Academically Talented (MACAT) program. The public K-6 Webster Elementary School is home to the Alternative Classes for the Academically Talented (ACAT) program, as well as many afterschool programs. Webster has classess for disabled children as well. The school, however, was burned down by an arsonist, and Webster was moved to a closed-down school, Tyler Elementary.

  • Clarenceville School District [1]
  • Livonia Public Schools [2] (LPS also serves parts of Westland.)
  • Academy of Westland Charter Schools (In Westland, but serving Livonia) [3]
  • Warren Dale Charter Academy (In Detroit, but serving Livonia) [4]
  • CAPA, a performance art program at Churchill high school [5]
  • MSC (Math, Science, Computers) a program for the academically gifted housed at Churchill High School

There are a number of parochial grade schools attached to Catholic and Lutheran churches around Livonia, including:

Public libraries[]

The Livonia Public Library includes the Civic Center Library, the Alfred Noble Library, the Carl Sandburg Library, and the Vest Pocket Library.[13]

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.86 square miles (92.88 km2), of which, 35.70 square miles (92.46 km2) is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) is water.[1]

Transportation[]

Livonia has limited access to public bus service through the Detroit Department of Transportation.

In 2012, the National Motorists Association released the results of a public poll on the "Worst Speed Trap Cities" in North America. Livonia was listed at #2.[14]

Politics[]

Livonia is located in Michigan's 11th congressional district. Livonia's mayor is Jack Kirksey. On November 6, 2007, Livonia's mayoral election took place between Jack Kirksey and Maureen Miller Brosnan, with Kirksey the winner.

Livonia is Michigan's 6th State Senate District, and is represented by Glenn S. Anderson (Democrat), who was elected to the State Legislature in 2006.

Livonia is Michigan's 19th State House District, and is represented by incumbent John J. Walsh (Republican), who is in his third term.

Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1900 1,460
1910 1,365 −6.5%
1920 1,608 17.8%
1930 3,192 98.5%
1940 8,728 173.4%
1950 17,634 102.0%
1960 66,702 278.3%
1970 110,109 65.1%
1980 104,814 −4.8%
1990 100,850 −3.8%
2000 100,545 −0.3%
2010 96,942 −3.6%
Est. 2011 95,958 −4.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
2011 estimate

According to a 2010 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the city was $65,391, and the median income for a family was $77,119. Males had a median income of $62,071 versus $42,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,536. About 5.4% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.6% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 96,942 people, 38,714 households, and 26,856 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,715.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,048.5 /km2). There were 40,401 housing units at an average density of 1,131.7 per square mile (437.0 /km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 3.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 38,714 households of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.6% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 44.5 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.2% were from 25 to 44; 31.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census[]

As of the census[15] of 2000, there were 100,545 people, 38,089 households, and 28,071 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,815.0 per square mile (1,086.8/km²). There were 38,658 housing units at an average density of 1,082.3 per square mile (417.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.45% White, 0.95% African American, 0.22% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.72% of the population. 16.3% were of Polish, 15.9% German, 11.2% Irish, 8.6% Italian and 8.5% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 38,089 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% was from 18 to 24, 28.7% was from 25 to 44, 24.3% was from 45 to 64, and 16.9% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

As of 2000, Livonia was the city in the United States with over 100,000 people that had the highest percentage of non-Hispanic white people.[16]

Notable people[]

  • Chuck Behler, Musician, Drummer for Megadeth 1987-1989
  • Bernie Carbo, Major League Baseball outfielder from 1969-1980 (Franklin High School Class of 1965)
  • Chris Conner, Professional Hockey player for the Phoenix Coyotes
  • Mike Cox, former Attorney General of Michigan
  • Warren Defever, Musician and Producer
  • Mike Donnelly, Retired NHL Player
  • Aaron Draughn, All-World Softball Player [17] and 2010 World Champion [18]
  • Derek Grant, Drummer for Alkaline Trio, and previously The Suicide Machines, Telegraph, and Face To Face, all notable punk rock bands
  • Judy Greer, Actress
  • Charlie Haeger, Professional Baseball Player for the Los Angeles Dodgers
  • Brian M. Hatfield, Music Director and Afternoon Personality for WKSF in Asheville, NC[19]
  • Jay Hudson, 89X CIMX-FM Radio Personality Program Director[20]
  • Ryan Kesler,[21] Professional Hockey Player for the Vancouver Canucks
  • Adam Krug (born 1983), American professional ice hockey player
  • Torey Krug (born 1991), American professional ice hockey player
  • Jeff Lerg, Professional Hockey Player for the New Jersey Devils
  • Alan Madlane, born Alan Madeleine, former writer and editor for Creem Magazine and actor, Frostbiter: Wrath of the Wendigo[22]
  • Mike Modano, Retired NHL Player
  • David Moss, Professional Hockey Player for the Calgary Flames
  • Aaron Palushaj, Professional Hockey Player for the Colorado Avalanche
  • Dana Schutz, Painter
  • Chris Tancill, Retired NHL Player
  • Sheila Taormina, 1996 Summer Olympics, Atlanta, GA. Gold Medal winner swimming in the 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay. Four time Olympic athlete 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Olympics), and first woman to qualify in three different Olympic sports events (freestyle swimming, triathlon and modern pentathlon.)[23]
  • Ken Westerfield, Pioneering Frisbee disc player
  • Jonathan B. Wright, Stage and film actor

Images[]

References[]

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt. Retrieved 2012-11-25. 
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/pages/index.xhtml. Retrieved 2012-11-25. 
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012.html. Retrieved 2013-06-03. 
  4. ^ USGS GNIS: Livonia, Michigan
  5. ^ Population of Michigan Cities, Villages, Townships, and Remainders of Townships: 2000 and 2010. www.michigan.gov.
  6. ^ City of Livonia.History.Retrieved on January 11, 2009.
  7. ^ Romig, Walter (1986) [1973]. Michigan Place Names. Detroit, Michigan: Wayne State University Press. ISBN 0-8143-1838-X. 
  8. ^ MacGregor, David (2005). "Introduction". Livonia: Michigan. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. pp. 7–8. ISBN 0-7385-3425-0. http://books.google.com/books?id=mxJBJYzdBHAC&printsec=frontcover#PPA7,M1. Retrieved 2008-11-25. 
  9. ^ Walter Romig, Michigan Place Names, p. 182
  10. ^ Romig, Michigan Place Names, p. 224
  11. ^ Bush Visits Beaver Aerospace
  12. ^ a b c d e f "Livonia Michigan Community and Demographic Information". http://www.steve-hatfield.com/livonia.htm. Retrieved July 3, 2009. 
  13. ^ "Hours and Locations." Livonia Public Library. Retrieved on March 29, 2010.
  14. ^ "Nationwide Poll Reveals Top U.S. and Canadian Speed Traps". National Motorists Association. August 28, 2012. http://www.motorists.org/other/August%202012%20News%20Release--FINAL.pdf. 
  15. ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  16. ^ "Race and Ethnicity in the Tri-County Area: Selected Communities and School Districts." (Archive) From a Child's Perspective: Detroit Metropolitan Census 2000 Fact Sheets Series. Wayne State University. June 2002. Volume 2, Issue 2. p. 1. Retrieved on November 10, 2013.
  17. ^ http://www.usssa.com/sports/FindPlayerHistory.asp?PlaID=2464391
  18. ^ http://www.usssa.com/sports/Tournament3.asp?TournamentID=626237
  19. ^ "Brian Hatfield All access radio". http://www.allaccess.com/country/10-questions/archive/2867-10-questions-with-brian-hatfield. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  20. ^ http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/113484/89x-detroit-promotes-jay-hudson-to-pd?ref=search
  21. ^ NHL Players from Livonia, Michigan | QuantHockey.com Last retrieved on March 19, 2011
  22. ^ Hartler, Sean (September 1, 2011). "Wendigos, Stooges and chili monsters: An interview with Alan Madlane". http://cathode13.blogspot.com/2011/09/wendigos-stooges-and-chili-monsters.html. Retrieved March 31, 2012. 
  23. ^ Merrill, Elizabeth (August 22, 2008). "Taormina takes solace in knowing she didn't quit on her Olympic dream". ESPN. http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/volleyball/columns/story?id=3549247. Retrieved March 19, 2011. 

Further reading[]

  • Cantor, George (2005). Detroit: An Insiders Guide to Michigan. University of Michigan Press. ISBN 0-472-03092-2. 
  • Fisher, Dale (2003). Building Michigan: A Tribute to Michigan's Construction Industry. Grass Lake, MI: Eyry of the Eagle Publishing. ISBN 1-891143-24-7. 
  • Fisher, Dale (2005). Southeast Michigan: Horizons of Growth. Grass Lake, MI: Eyry of the Eagle Publishing. ISBN 1-891143-25-5. 

External links[]

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This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Livonia, Michigan. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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