Auburn Hills, Michigan
Encyclopedia
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. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township
became the City of Auburn Hills.
, 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
.
, 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 mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.12%) is water.
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.
, 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 km) north of Auburn Heights. The estate included hunting land, dog kennels, a swimming pool, horse stables, and a 5000 square feet (464.5 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.
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 miles (25.7 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 miles (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.
Metro Detroit
The Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit which shares an international border with Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit metropolitan area is the second largest U.S. metropolitan area...
, Oakland County
Oakland County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,202,362 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density as of the 2000 census was 1,369 people per square mile . There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile...
, in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 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. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. The population was 21,412 at the 2010 census. The city was formed in 1983 when Pontiac Township
Pontiac Township, Michigan
Pontiac Township is a defunct civil township in Oakland County, Michigan, USA. The area consisted of what is now the cities of Pontiac, Auburn Hills, and Lake Angelus....
became the City of Auburn Hills.
Economy
Auburn Hills is home to the world headquarters of ChryslerChrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
, the Walter P. Chrysler Museum
Walter P. Chrysler Museum
The Walter P. Chrysler Museum, which opened in October 1999, is located in Auburn Hills, Michigan. It features many historically significant Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth, Jeep, AMC, Nash, Hudson, and Rambler vehicles from various eras....
, Oakland University
Oakland University
Oakland University is a public university co-founded by Matilda Dodge Wilson and John A. Hannah whose campus is located in central Oakland County, Michigan, United States in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU...
, BorgWarner
BorgWarner
BorgWarner Inc. is a United States-based worldwide automotive industry components and parts supplier. It is primarily known for its powertrain products, which include manual and automatic transmissions and transmission components, , turbochargers, engine valve timing system...
, Guardian Industries, RGIS, Great Lakes Crossing
Great Lakes Crossing
Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is an enclosed shopping mall, super-regional in size, located in the city of Auburn Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Developed and owned by Taubman Centers, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets features over 180 stores and restaurants, a food court, and a...
shopping center, as well as The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills
The Palace of Auburn Hills, often referred to simply as The Palace, is a sports and entertainment venue in Auburn Hills, Michigan, a suburb on the northern outskirts of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Opened in 1988, it is the home of the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association...
, home of the National Basketball Association
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
's Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
and the former home of Women's National Basketball Association
Women's National Basketball Association
The Women's National Basketball Association is a women's professional basketball league in the United States. It currently is composed of twelve teams. The league was founded on April 24, 1996 as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association...
's Detroit Shock
Detroit Shock
The Detroit Shock was a Women's National Basketball Association team based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. They were the 2003, 2006 and 2008 WNBA champion...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The 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...
, 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 mile (0.1035995244 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.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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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 AuburnAuburn, New York
Auburn is a city in Cayuga County, New York, United States of America. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 27,687...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. His sawmill and grist mill attracted settlers to Auburn. After the streets were laid out in 1826, Auburn rivaled nearby Pontiac
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
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
Auburn, Michigan
Auburn is a city in Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city's population was 2,011 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bay City, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, that exists in Bay County
Bay County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2000 census, there were 110,157 people, 43,930 households, and 30,048 families residing in the county. The population density was 248 people per square mile . There were 46,423 housing units at an average density of 104 per square mile...
, near Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay
Saginaw Bay is a bay within Lake Huron located on the eastern side of the U.S. state of Michigan. It forms the space between Michigan's Thumb region and the rest of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Saginaw Bay is in area...
.
In 1908, automobile pioneer John Dodge
John Francis Dodge
John Francis Dodge was an American automobile manufacturing pioneer and co-founder of Dodge Brothers Company.-Biography:...
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 km) north of Auburn Heights. The estate included hunting land, dog kennels, a swimming pool, horse stables, and a 5000 square feet (464.5 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
Pontiac Township, Michigan
Pontiac Township is a defunct civil township in Oakland County, Michigan, USA. The area consisted of what is now the cities of Pontiac, Auburn Hills, and Lake Angelus....
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
Oakland Community College
Oakland Community College is a community college established June 8, 1964 in Oakland County, Michigan. It opened September 1965 with two campuses - Highland Lakes, a renovated hospital in Union Lake, and Auburn Hills, a former Army Nike missile site in Auburn Hills.OCC is the largest of Michigan's...
. They named their campus (a former Nike missile base
Project Nike
Project Nike was a U.S. Army project, proposed in May 1945 by Bell Laboratories, to develop a line-of-sight anti-aircraft missile system. The project delivered the United States' first operational anti-aircraft missile system, the Nike Ajax, in 1953...
) at Featherstone and Squirrel roads for the town and the hilly terrain in the area. Besides Oakland Community College, two other colleges, Oakland University
Oakland University
Oakland University is a public university co-founded by Matilda Dodge Wilson and John A. Hannah whose campus is located in central Oakland County, Michigan, United States in the cities of Auburn Hills and Rochester Hills. It is the only major research university in Oakland County, from which OU...
and Baker College
Baker College
Baker College is a private not-for-profit American college in Michigan, founded in 1911. Its campuses are located throughout the Lower Peninsula of Michigan....
, have campuses partially within the city limits.
Auburn Hills roughly follows the course of Interstate 75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
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
Comerica
Comerica Incorporated is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA. It has retail banking operations in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas; and select business operations in several other U.S...
, EDS
Electronic Data Systems
HP Enterprise Services is the global business and technology services division of Hewlett Packard's HP Enterprise Business strategic business unit. It was formed by the combination of HP's legacy services consulting and outsourcing business and the integration of acquired Electronic Data Systems,...
, and Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
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
Great Lakes Crossing
Great Lakes Crossing Outlets is an enclosed shopping mall, super-regional in size, located in the city of Auburn Hills, a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Developed and owned by Taubman Centers, Great Lakes Crossing Outlets features over 180 stores and restaurants, a food court, and a...
, 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
Disc golf
Disc golf is a disc game in which individual players throw a flying disc into a basket or at a target. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, "The object of the game is to traverse a course from beginning to end in the fewest number of throws of the disc." Of the more than 3000...
course, tennis courts, two play structures, and swings.
.
Clinton River Trail
An expansive, 16 miles (25.7 km) walkway through the heart of Oakland County
Oakland County, Michigan
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 1,202,362 people, 471,115 households, and 315,175 families residing in the county. The population density as of the 2000 census was 1,369 people per square mile . There were 492,006 housing units at an average density of 564 per square mile...
. Walking along the trail will bring you through several different cities, including Rochester
Rochester, Michigan
Rochester is an affluent city in north Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan on the northern outskirts of metro Detroit. The population was 12,711 at the 2010 census...
, Rochester Hills
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Rochester Hills is an affluent city in northeast Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 70,995. The city of Rochester is bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills...
, Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake, Michigan
Sylvan Lake is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,720 at the 2010 census. It borders Pontiac, the county seat, northeast.-Geography:...
, Auburn Hills, and Pontiac
Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan named after the Ottawa Chief Pontiac, located within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 59,515. It is the county seat of Oakland County...
. The 2.1 miles (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.