Auburn Hills, Michigan

Auburn Hills is a city in Metro Detroit, Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census.^[5] The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township became the City of Auburn Hills.

Economy

Auburn Hills is home to the world headquarters of Chrysler, the Walter P. Chrysler Museum, Oakland University, BorgWarner, Guardian Industries, RGIS, Great Lakes Crossing shopping center, as well as The Palace of Auburn Hills, home of the National Basketball Association's Detroit Pistons and the former home of Women's National Basketball Association's Detroit Shock.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.6 square miles (43 km²). 16.6 square miles (43 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) of it (0.12%) is water.

Demographics

As of 2010 Auburn Hills had a population of 21,412. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 66.3% white, 18.5% black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 5.8% Asian Indian, 3.1% other Asian, 2.7% from some other race and 3.4% from two or more races. 7.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.^[6]

As of the 2000 census there were 8,064 households, out of which, 26.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them; 43.0% were married couples living together; 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present and 42.9% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution is 20.4% under the age of 18, 15.9% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 18.2% from 45 to 64, and 7.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,376, and the median income for a family was $60,849. Males had a median income of $45,686 versus $34,015 for females. The per capita income for the city was $25,529. About 3.9% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.

Culture and history

Auburn Hills began as Pontiac Township, including the village of Auburn, in 1821 at what is today the corner of Auburn and Squirrel roads. Situated on the Clinton River, it was named by Aaron Webster, the first settler, for Auburn, New York. His sawmill and grist mill attracted settlers to Auburn. After the streets were laid out in 1826, Auburn rivaled nearby Pontiac until the 1860s, when it lost its prosperity. The town was renamed Amy in 1880, and it officially became Auburn Heights in 1919. Pontiac Township bordered the city of Pontiac on two sides. The township attempted to incorporate as Pontiac Heights in 1971, but the request was denied by state officials. Pontiac Township became a charter township in 1978, to protect itself from further annexation. In 1983, it formally became the city of Auburn Hills and included the village of Auburn Heights. It is not to be confused with the city of Auburn, Michigan, that exists in Bay County, near Saginaw Bay.

In 1908, automobile pioneer John Dodge bought a farmhouse 3 miles (4.8 km) northeast of Auburn Heights to use as his country retreat. His oldest child, Winifred Dodge, married real estate baron Wesson Seyburn, who built his own country retreat 2.5 miles (4.0 km) north of Auburn Heights. The estate included hunting land, dog kennels, a swimming pool, horse stables, and a 5,000-square-foot (460 m²) Colonial Revival house. Pontiac Township purchased the estate in 1976, and adapted the buildings for government use. Today, it is known as the Auburn Hills Civic Center.

Pontiac Township and Auburn Heights together became the City of Auburn Hills in 1983. The first use of the name "Auburn Hills," in 1964, was by Oakland Community College. They named their campus (a former Nike missile base) at Featherstone and Squirrel roads for the town and the hilly terrain in the area. Besides Oakland Community College, two other colleges, Oakland University and Baker College, have campuses partially within the city limits.

Auburn Hills roughly follows the course of Interstate 75 and is home to a prosperous business community. In the early 1980s, Oakland University partnered with developers to create a technology and research park on unused land it owned. The Oakland Technology Park was approved by the city in 1985, with Comerica, EDS, and Chrysler to build campuses there. Today, the city's many tech and office buildings cause its population to swell to 80,000 during the workday.

Many areas of the city still have a rural atmosphere, but land is being developed fast. Great Lakes Crossing, a shopping mall, opened in 1998. In 2002, the small downtown area at Auburn and Squirrel was revitalized as the "Village Center" with streetscape improvements. Pedestrian-friendly development is encouraged in this district.

Recreation

Auburn Hills is home to several local parks, many of which are open year round.

Auburn Hills Skate Park

Fun for all ages and skill levels. Whether you skateboard, inline skate, or BMX bike, this park has something for you. The use of the facility is always free and it remains open from April to November, 8 AM until dusk

Civic Center Park

Offers the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of southeastern Michigan, year round. Take a hike on one of the park’s nature trails, throw a line in at the fishing pond, or bring your family out for a picnic. The park offers open lawn areas and a picnic shelter with a fireplace inside. It features a softball field, 9-hole disc golf course, tennis courts, two play structures, and swings. .

Clinton River Trail

An expansive, 16-mile (26 km) walkway through the heart of Oakland County. Walking along the trail will bring you through several different cities, including Rochester, Rochester Hills, Sylvan Lake, Auburn Hills, and Pontiac. The 2.1-mile (3.4 km) section of trail within Auburn Hills is covered in finely crushed stone, ideal for walking, jogging, and biking.

Dennis Dearing Jr. Memorial Park

Featuring a fireman-themed “tot-lot” for children ages 2–5, Dennis Dearing Jr. Memorial Park is a wonderful place to take your young ones. The park also has swings, picnic tables, and open space areas for picnic or play.

Hawk Woods Nature Center

Eighty acres of beautiful woods, meadows, and marsh are accessible via several groomed nature trails and a boardwalk. This year round facility features heated restroom and shower facilities for the winter months, along with a two-story lodge with six overnight camping cabins. The lodge can be rented for meetings or activities year round.

Manitoba Park

A two-acre park which contains a play structure, sand volleyball courts, a paved play area, and open space for activities.

Riverside Park

Located adjacent to downtown Auburn Hills and along the Clinton River, Riverside Park is an excellent place to spend your warm afternoons and evenings. Take a walk along the water, plan a picnic, or hop onto the play structure. You can even launch your canoe and cruise down river!

River Woods Park

Located near downtown Auburn Hills, this park contains all the outdoor necessities. It has picnic areas, both open and sheltered, standing barbecue grills, and heated restrooms which remain open year round. You can navigate your way through the park on a paved pathway system, which includes a bridge over the Clinton River. Young kids can have fun on the play structure, which features swings and climbers. The park also contains four basketball courts.

See also

• Images of metropolitan Detroit

References

• Randall, Natalie Kilmer. Pontiac Township 1827-1983: The End of an Era. Pontiac, MI: 1983
• Oakland University history page
• Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Auburn Hills Welcome Video Program Source International, 2007.

External links

• City of Auburn Hills
• Auburn Hills Public Library