Eastpointe, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eastpointe (formerly East Detroit) is a city in Macomb County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 34,077. Eastpointe is considered a bedroom community of the Metro Detroit area.
Eastpointe is the birthplace of astronaut Jerry M. Linenger.
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[edit] History
The community was first settled by Irish and German immigrants in the 1830s. In October 1897, a Post Office was established there with the name of "Half-way", as it was near the halfway point of the stage run between downtown Detroit and the Macomb County seat at Mount Clemens. It incorporated as the village of Halfway in December 1924 and reincorporated as the City of East Detroit in January 1929. The city changed its name to "Eastpointe" after a vote in 1992; the name change had been proposed to reduce its association with the adjacent city of Detroit, and the "-pointe" is intended to associate the city with the exclusive communities of the Grosse Pointes. One effect of changing the city's name was a dramatic rise in property values. Prior to 1924, the majority of the city was part of Erin Township.
The school district that serves most of the city was unaffected by the municipal name change, and still uses the name East Detroit Public Schools. In fact, the local high school is called East Detroit High School. The balance of the city (which was part of Lake Township) is served by the South Lake Public Schools.
[edit] Entertainment/Recreation
Though there are many options within the greater Metro Detroit area, residents of Eastpointe don't have to go far to enjoy some of life's distractions. One particularly nice event is the Music in the Park, put on every Wednesday during the summer months, from 7 until 9 p.m. at Spindler Park.
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.2 km² (5.1 mi²), all land.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 34,077 people, 13,595 households, and 8,959 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,579.8/km² (6,678.8/mi²). There were 13,965 housing units at an average density of 1,057.2/km² (2,737.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.13% White, 4.70% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.33% of the population.
There were 13,595 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $46,261, and the median income for a family was $54,895. Males had a median income of $41,449 versus $28,095 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,665. About 4.2% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Sources
- Eastpointe History, City website retrieved January 20, 2006
- Romig, Walter. Michigan Place Names. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1986.
