Rochester Hills is a city in northeast
Oakland CountyOakland County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. , the population was estimated at 1,202,174. The county seat is Pontiac. Oakland County is part of the Detroit metropolitan area, though the actual city of Detroit is located in neighboring Wayne County, south of 8 Mile Road. Oakland County...
of the
U.S. stateA U.S. state is any one of 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...
of
MichiganMichigan is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. It was named after Lake Michigan, whose name is a French adaptation of the Ojibwe term mishigama, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 68,825. The 2008 census estimate places the population at 69,014. The City of
RochesterRochester is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the outskirts of suburban Detroit. The population was 10,467 at the 2000 census...
in bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills. Rochester Hills is an affluent suburb on the northern outskirts of
Metro DetroitThe Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit. As the home of the "Big Three" American automakers , it is the world's traditional automotive center and a key pillar of the U.S...
.
Rochester CollegeRochester College is a private four-year college located in Rochester Hills, Michigan and affiliated with the Churches of Christ. The college was founded in 1959....
is located in Rochester Hills, and
Oakland UniversityOakland University is a public university located between Rochester, Michigan and Auburn Hills, Michigan. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU derives its name...
is located partly in Rochester Hills and partly in neighboring Auburn Hills, although it maintains a Rochester mailing address.
Avondale School DistrictThe Avondale School District is a public school district located in Auburn Hills, Michigan.The district educates about 3800 students and covers portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills and Troy, Michigan...
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 area north of Tienken Road (48306) is especially known for having the largest homes and subdivisions. This section is the only part of the city not officially in
Metro DetroitThe Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit. As the home of the "Big Three" American automakers , it is the world's traditional automotive center and a key pillar of the U.S...
, being as it is north of 25 mile and is the only part of the city that is completely north of the city of Rochester. This area is partially wooded and undeveloped,, making it appealing for those looking for privacy. The area is home to local athletes and business executives from
DetroitDetroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Wayne County. Detroit is a major port city on the Detroit River, in the Midwest region of the United States. Located north of Windsor, Ontario, Detroit is the only major U.S. city that looks south to Canada. It was founded...
and the
metro areaThe Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit. As the home of the "Big Three" American automakers , it is the world's traditional automotive center and a key pillar of the U.S...
.
"Rochester", or the "Rochester Area", are often used to describe Rochester, Oakland Township, and Rochester Hills. Although residents in the northern section (48306) often refer to themselves as living in Rochester, rather than Rochester Hills and receive mail sent to a Rochester address.
History
The first European settler was James Graham both arriving in 1817.
Avon Township was organized in 1835.
RochesterRochester is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the outskirts of suburban Detroit. The population was 10,467 at the 2000 census...
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 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. However, discussions of consolidation with Rochester continued, and in 1987, voters in both cities decisively rejected consolidation.
Geography
The City of Rochester Hills is bordered on the north by
Oakland Charter TownshipOakland Charter Township is a charter township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is usually referred to as "Oakland Township". The population was 13,071 at the 2000 census. Rochester Community Schools serves a majority of the area, while Lake Orion Community Schools and Romeo...
, the east by the City of
RochesterRochester is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the outskirts of suburban Detroit. The population was 10,467 at the 2000 census...
and
Shelby TownshipThe Charter Township of Shelby, usually referred to as Shelby Township, is a charter township of Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the township had a total population of 65,159...
, the south by the City of
TroyTroy is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. The population was 80,959 at the 2000 census, making it the 12th-largest city in Michigan by population, and the second-largest city in Oakland County after Farmington Hills...
, and on the west by the City of
Auburn HillsAuburn Hills is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 19,837 at the 2000 census. The 2008 census estimate places the population at 20,931. The city was formed in 1983 from the now defunct Pontiac Township....
. According to the
United States Census BureauThe 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. As part of the United States Department of Commerce, the Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about...
, the city has a total area of 32.9
square mileThe square mile is an imperial and US unit of measure for an area equal to the area of a square of one statute mile.
s (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 1,010ft. in the northwestern portion of the city.
Demographics
As of the
censusA "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.In other words every 10 years...next one would be in 2010 The term is used mostly in connection with...
of 2000, there were 68,825 people, 26,315 households, and 18,973 families residing in the city. The
population densityPopulation density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans. It is a key term used in geography....
was 2,095.2 per square mile (808.9/km²). There were 27,263 housing units at an average density of 830.0/sq mi (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 racesRace and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the United States Census Bureau and the Federal Office of Management and Budget , 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 1.37% 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 $100,000.
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/STTable?_bm=y&-context=st&-qr_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_S1901&-ds_name=ACS_2007_1YR_G00_&-CONTEXT=st&-tree_id=307&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=16000US2669035&-format=&-_lang=en Males had a median income of $69,280 versus $40,405 for females. The
per capita incomePer capita income means how much each individual receives, in monetary terms, of the yearly income generated in the country. This is what each citizen is to receive if the yearly national income is divided equally among everyone. Per capita income is usually reported in units of currency per year...
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.
Parks
The City operates four major parks:
- Thelma G. Spencer Park
Thelma G. Spencer Park is a city park owned and operated by the city of Rochester Hills, Michigan - a northern suburb on the outskirts of Metro Detroit...
- Borden Park
Borden Park is a part of the Rochester Hills, Michigan city park system. It serves as the host to the Festival of the Hills, the second largest fireworks show in the state of Michigan.- Facilities :...
- Bloomer Park
Rochester Municipal Park
Notable current & former residents
Paul DavisPaul Davis is an American professional basketball player who recently played for the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers. Davis started his career at Reuther Middle School where his number has been retired. Davis played for Rochester High School, earning Mr. Basketball of Michigan honors in 2002...
, professional basketball player
Brad KeselowskiBradley Keselowski is an auto racing car driver currently competing in the #88 Delphi/Go Daddy/Unilever/Degree V12 Chevrolet Impala SS for JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, and in the Sprint Cup Series is scheduled to split time behind the wheel of the #25 Go Daddy Chevrolet Impala...
, NASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947-48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver
Walt KowalczykWalter Joseph Kowalczyk is a former American football defensive back and fullback in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. He also played in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders...
, professional American football player
MadonnaMadonna is an American recording artist, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, and raised in Rochester Hills, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977, for a career in modern dance...
(Ciccone), singer/entertainer
Karen NewmanKaren Newman is a professional singer based in Detroit, Michigan. Newman was raised in the Michigan towns of Rochester Hills and Grand Blanc, and studied music at Oakland University. She is best known for being "the voice" of the National Hockey League's Detroit Red Wings, regularly performing "The...
, Detroit Red Wings singer/actress
Craig Owens (musician)Craigery Michael Owens is a musician from Davison, Michigan who currently resides in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He is best known as the former lead vocalist of Chiodos,as well as for his involvment in various side projects such as Cinematic Sunrise and Isles & Glaciers...
, lead singer of ChiodosChiodos is an American post-hardcore band from Davison, Michigan, formed in 2001. Originally known as "The Chiodos Bros." the band's name was a tribute to filmmakers Stephen, Charles, and Edward Chiodo, responsible for the movie Killer Klowns from Outer Space...
and Cinematic Sunrise
Ron TeachworthRonald S. Teachworth is a notable artist, writer and film director from Rochester Hills, MI.-Personal:Ron received his B.A. in Fine Art from Central Michigan University , and an M.A. from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI...
, educator, artist, writer and filmmaker
Peter VanderkaayPeter Vanderkaay is an American middle-distance freestyle swimmer. He won a gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in the 4x200 m freestyle relay, and a bronze medal in the 200 m freestyle...
, Olympic swimmer>
External links