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Royal Oak, Michigan: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 42°29′20″N 83°8′34″W / 42.48889°N 83.14278°W / 42.48889; -83.14278 (Royal Oak, Michigan)
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===Highways===
===Highways===
There is an interchange connecting [[Interstate 75 in Michigan|Interstate 75]] and [[Interstate 696]] in the southeast corner of the city. [[Woodward Avenue]] (M-1) is about a mile (1.6 ) west of the interchange in the southeast corner of the city. Woodward proceeds northwest defining the western border of the city, and intersects with the north-south Coolidge Highway just south of 13 Mile Road. The southern terminus of Rochester Road, about a mile north of the downtown district, connects Royal Oak with [[Rochester, Michigan|Rochester]], and continues on beyond Rochester. This road had been the route of an early 1900s electric trolley line that connected downtown Royal Oak with downtown Rochester.
There is an interchange connecting [[Interstate 75 in Michigan|Interstate 75]] and [[Interstate 696]] in the southeast corner of the city. [[Woodward Avenue]] (M-1) is about a mile (1.6 ) west of the interchange in the southeast corner of the city. Woodward proceeds northwest defining the western border of the city, and intersects with the north-south Coolidge Highway just south of 13 Mile Road. The southern terminus of Rochester Road, about a half-mile north of the downtown district, connects Royal Oak with [[Rochester, Michigan|Rochester]], and continues on beyond Rochester. This road had been the route of an early 1900s electric trolley line that connected downtown Royal Oak with downtown Rochester.


{{Geographic location
{{Geographic location

Revision as of 15:56, 28 September 2012

For the charter township, see Royal Oak Charter Township, Michigan.
City of Royal Oak
City
Pictured left to right: Downtown Royal Oak, the National Shrine of the Little Flower church, the Rackham Memorial Fountain at the Detroit Zoo, and the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Pictured left to right: Downtown Royal Oak, the National Shrine of the Little Flower church, the Rackham Memorial Fountain at the Detroit Zoo, and the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Location in the state of Michigan
Location in the state of Michigan
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyOakland
Incorporated1895 (village)
 1921 (city)
Government
 • TypeCommission-Manager
 • MayorJim Ellison
 • City ManagerDon Johnson
Area
 • City11.8 sq mi (30.6 km2)
 • Land11.8 sq mi (30.6 km2)
 • Water0.0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation
[1]
663 ft (202 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • City57,236
 • Density4,900/sq mi (1,900/km2)
 • Metro
4,296,250
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
48067, 48068, 48073
Area code248
FIPS code26-70040Template:GR
GNIS feature ID0636352[2]
Websitehttp://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us

Royal Oak is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 57,236.[3] It is the 8th-largest municipality in Oakland County and the 27th largest municipality in Michigan by population.

History

Shrine of the Little Flower

Royal Oak was incorporated as a village in 1891, and as a city in 1921. The city's name originates in 1819, from one of Territorial Governor Lewis Cass' expeditions surveying land. A tree located near the present-day intersection of Crooks, Rochester, and Main reminded Cass of the Royal Oak tree within which King Charles II of England hid to escape the Roundheads following the Battle of Worcester.

In the 1920s, Father Charles Coughlin became the founding pastor of the Shrine of the Little Flower, a prominent landmark in the city. Through his ministry, he raised funds to build the present limestone Church complex and tower from which he aired his radio show.[4]

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Royal Oak's downtown grew into an entertainment and nightlife destination. A number of large condominiums and lofts have been constructed in the area.

Culture

Further information: Tourism in metropolitan Detroit
The Detroit Zoo's Arctic Ring of Life

Downtown Royal Oak features a wide assortment of nightlife venues, including the Royal Oak Music Theatre and the Landmark Main Art Theatre. Royal Oak is home to the Detroit Zoo, one of the region's leading tourist attractions. Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, a comedy club, was an early venue for performers such as Tim Allen and Dave Coulier. The many restaurants range in fare from take-out sandwiches to high-end establishments specializing in cuisines like Italian, Belgian, Nepali, and others. Pubs include biker bars, dance clubs, upscale breweries, sports bars, and rooftop bars. During the summer, downtown Royal Oak becomes host to hordes of motorcycle enthusiasts from around Metro Detroit. On Wednesday nights Main Street is often lined with Harley-Davidsons, whereas on Thursday night the streets fill up with sport bikes.

The popular 1990s sitcom Home Improvement was set in Royal Oak. In 2008, three movies were filmed in Royal Oak. Scenes from Prayers for Bobby, Youth in Revolt and Gran Torino were filmed in the downtown area. In 2009, the remake of Red Dawn had several scenes filmed in Royal Oak neighborhoods.

In December 2009 it was announced that the Arts, Beats and Eats festival would be moved from Pontiac to Royal Oak.[5] On October 12, 2010,

In addition to The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, regional newspapers serving all of southeast Michigan, the city is served by the Daily Tribune, The Oakland Press, the Royal Oak Review, and The Mirror.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.8 square miles (31 km2), all of which is land.

Royal Oak once had a river, the Red Run. Around 1967-1968 it was buried in a 6-foot drain pipe.[6]

Economy

Further information: Economy of metropolitan Detroit
Looking south to 11 Mile Rd and Main St

Royal Oak's traditional street-side shopping district runs along Main Street downtown. It experienced growth and development in the 2000s, with a transformation to a trendy upscale, urban-chic restaurant, shopping, and entertainment district. A number of mixed-use high-rise developments have arisen — mostly condo "lofts" with retail and office space on the lower levels. Points of interest include the Detroit Zoo, a major regional tourist attraction, the William Beaumont Hospital, the Royal Oak Music Theatre, the Main Art Theatre, the Baldwin Theatre, Mark Ridley's Comedy Castle, Emagine Theater, and shops, cafes, and restaurants. The main offices of Hour Detroit media, which publishes Metro Detroit's lifestyle magazine, are located in the city.

The National Arbor Day Foundation has awarded Royal Oak the distinction of "Tree City USA" every year since 1976 as a result of the city's commitment to tree planting and preservation.[7]

In 1998, the foundation of Saturday Night Live comedian and Detroit-area native Gilda Radner created a free cancer support community for people with cancer, their families, and friends. Gilda's Club Metro Detroit operates a three-story non-residential house in Royal Oak and has served more than 3,000 members for social and emotional support and fun activities.[8]

Education

The city is served by Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools. There is also a private high school, Shrine Catholic.A branch of Oakland Community College is located in the city.

In recent years Royal Oak has begun to consolidate its public schools in response to enrollment levels that are lower than those of the baby boom era. In 2006, the city's two public high schools, George A. Dondero High School and Clarence M. Kimball High School, were combined into a new Royal Oak High School. Beginning in 2007, the city's two middle schools were combined into one school, Royal Oak Middle School. The number of elementary schools was reduced to six.[9] Some parents protested the planned closure and demolition of Longfellow and Whittier elementary schools and were seeking to have them considered for historic district recognition by way of signed petition.[10] Despite their efforts, both schools and a number of other former elementary schools were demolished in the fall of 2007.

Government

The U.S. post office in Royal Oak
Royal Oak
Crime rates* (2008)
Violent crimes
Homicide0.0
Rape35.0
Robbery59.5
Aggravated assault103.3
Total violent crime197.8
Property crimes
Burglary380.0
Larceny-theft1,395.8
Motor vehicle theft227.7
Arson33.3
Total property crime2,036.8
Notes

*Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population.


Source: 2003 FBI Report of Offenses Known to Law Enforcement

Royal Oak has a Council-Manager form of government.[11] It is governed by a city commission consisting of a mayor and six commission members. The city commission appoints a city manager, who manages the day-to-day operations of the city.

Royal Oak has a below average crime rate, reflecting that of nearby communities, such as Berkley and Madison Heights. Larceny-Theft was the most common crime, making up 66.7% of all crimes in the city. Five known murders have been committed since 2000, one in 2004, one in 2005, one in 2010, and two in 2011[12].

Royal Oak's police department has 64 sworn officers [13] and 21 un-sworn officers in the department. The department employs community policing techniques.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900468—
19101,071128.8%
19206,007460.9%
193022,904281.3%
194025,0879.5%
195046,89886.9%
196080,61271.9%
197086,2387.0%
198070,893−17.8%
199065,410−7.7%
200060,062−8.2%
201057,236−4.7%

As of the census of 2010, there were 57,236 people, 28,063 households, and 13,394 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,083.0 people per square mile (1,961.9/km²). There were 29,942 housing units at an average density of 2,534.0 per square mile (978.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.75% White, 4.25% African American, 0.27% Native American, 2.37% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.34% of the population[3] .

There were 28,880 households out of which 20.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 50.0% were non-families. 40.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 17.8% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 38.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $52,252, and the median income for a family was $68,109. Males had a median income of $50,562 versus $36,392 for females. The per capita income for the city was $30,990. About 2.0% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.4% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Transportation

Further information: Royal Oak (Amtrak station) and Transportation in metropolitan Detroit
Royal Oak train platform

Transit systems

Amtrak provides service to Royal Oak, operating its Template:Amtrak lines three times daily in both directions between Pontiac and Chicago via Detroit.

Commuter rail service was once provided by Grand Trunk Western Railroad (GTW) and later Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA) from Pontiac to downtown Detroit, with a stop in Royal Oak. This service ended on October 17, 1983, after subsidies were discontinued. Efforts continue to this day to restore such commuter service.

Class one freight rail service is provided by Canadian National Railway (CN).

Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) operates local and regional bus transit.

Highways

There is an interchange connecting Interstate 75 and Interstate 696 in the southeast corner of the city. Woodward Avenue (M-1) is about a mile (1.6 ) west of the interchange in the southeast corner of the city. Woodward proceeds northwest defining the western border of the city, and intersects with the north-south Coolidge Highway just south of 13 Mile Road. The southern terminus of Rochester Road, about a half-mile north of the downtown district, connects Royal Oak with Rochester, and continues on beyond Rochester. This road had been the route of an early 1900s electric trolley line that connected downtown Royal Oak with downtown Rochester.

Notable people

Further information: List of people from Detroit
Charlie White and Meryl Davis

See also

References

  1. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: elevation
  2. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Royal Oak, Michigan
  3. ^ a b "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Royal Oak city, Michigan". U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 2. Retrieved August 19, 2011.
  4. ^ "Father Charles E. Coughlin, The Radio Priest". Detroit News: Michigan History. 1995-07-23.
  5. ^ http://freep.com/article/20091208/NEWS03/91208061/1319/Arts-Beats-&-Eats-festival-set-to-move-to-Royal-Oak
  6. ^ Penney, David G. Ph.D. (2001-11-28). "A Run Ran Through It: Red Run, The Ghost River of Royal Oak". CO Headquarters. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
  7. ^ http://arborday.org/programs/treeCityUSA/map.cfm
  8. ^ http://www.gildasclubdetroit.org/
  9. ^ Consolidation Information | Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools
  10. ^ http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061120/NEWS03/611200382/1005/NEWS
  11. ^ Government Overview, City of Royal Oak. Accessed 2008-05-02
  12. ^ http://www.idcide.com/citydata/mi/royal-oak.htm
  13. ^ Nine police officers laid off after big events conclude
  14. ^ http://www.trinity.edu/mkearl/death02/euthan/Jack%20Kevorkian.htm

External links

42°29′20″N 83°8′34″W / 42.48889°N 83.14278°W / 42.48889; -83.14278 (Royal Oak, Michigan)

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