West Bloomfield Township, Michigan
Encyclopedia
West Bloomfield Charter Township is an affluent charter township
in Oakland County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
, within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 64,690. As of 2008, West Bloomfield Township was ranked the 8th highest income city in the United States with a population of at least 50,000. In the Metropolitan Detroit area
, it is widely known for its large homes and rolling hills. The school districts that serve the town include the highly regarded West Bloomfield School District
, Farmington Hills School District
, and Walled Lake School District.
, the largest lake in the county, is in part of West Bloomfield, and Pine Lake, which has a private country club on its shore, is only a few miles away from Cass and lies completely within West Bloomfield. In addition, directly west of Pine Lake is Orchard Lake
, which also has a private country club on its shore. Orchard Lake is surrounded by the city of Orchard Lake Village
. Several smaller lakes are scattered around these larger ones.
Orchard Lake Road runs north-south through the middle of the township and is the main artery of West Bloomfield's economy, flanked on each side by long strip malls and shopping complexes. Most of the township's population growth has occurred since the 1960s, as many residents moved there from the inner ring Detroit suburbs. West Bloomfield is located in south-central Oakland County about 10 miles (16.1 km) to the northwest from the Detroit city limits and has borders with Bloomfield Township
to its east, Farmington Hills
to its south, Commerce Township
to its west, and four communities to its north: Waterford Township
, Orchard Lake Village
, Keego Harbor
, and Sylvan Lake
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the township has a total area of 31.2 square miles (80.8 km²), of which 27.3 square miles (70.7 km²) is land and 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), or 12.49%, is water.
was divided in two, and the western portion was called West Bloomfield. The area was spotted with apple
orchard
s throughout much of the 1800s. In fact, the plentiful apple trees located on an island in one lake led to the naming of the body of water as Orchard Lake
, and the aforementioned island as Apple Island
.
, which has been recognized as one of the top public school districts in the country. A total of seven school districts serve various portions of West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield, Farmington, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Walled Lake, Pontiac and Waterford).
West Bloomfield High School
, the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit and St. Mary's Preparatory
are the only three high schools located within the township.
of 2000, there were 64,860 people, 23,414 households, and 18,192 families residing in the township. The population density
was 2,374.3 per square mile (916.6/km²). There were 24,410 housing units at an average density of 893.6 per square mile (345.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 84.25% White, 5.18% Black or African American
, 0.12% Native American, 7.81% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races
, and 2.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 23,414 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% were married couples
living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the township was $98,832, and the median income for a family was $113,191.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=16000US2685510&-format=&-_lang=en Males had a median income of $74,557 versus $45,339 for females. The per capita income
for the township was $44,885. About 1.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 and over.
West Bloomfield is known for its large Jewish populations. It is home to the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, the Frankel Jewish Academy, a Jewish community high school, and to the museum of the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.
Charter township
A charter township is a form of local government in the U.S. state of Michigan. Townships in Michigan are organized governments. A charter township is a township that has been granted a charter, which allows it certain rights and responsibilities of home rule that are generally intermediary in...
in 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"....
, within the Detroit metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 64,690. As of 2008, West Bloomfield Township was ranked the 8th highest income city in the United States with a population of at least 50,000. In the Metropolitan Detroit area
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...
, it is widely known for its large homes and rolling hills. The school districts that serve the town include the highly regarded West Bloomfield School District
West Bloomfield School District
West Bloomfield School District is located in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It was formed in 1949 and covers approximately sixteen square miles. As of May 2011, its superintendent is Dr. JoAnn Andrees who succeeded Dr. Gary Faber in 2008...
, Farmington Hills School District
Farmington Public Schools
Farmington Public Schools is a public school district located in southeastern Michigan, in southern Oakland County. The school district serves more than 12,000 students from Farmington Hills, Farmington, and a portion of West Bloomfield. The district is led by superintendent Susan Zurvalec, who...
, and Walled Lake School District.
Geography
West Bloomfield is sometimes referred to by its residents as the "lake township of Oakland County", being heavily dotted with small and medium-sized lakes. Cass LakeCass Lake (Michigan)
Cass Lake is the largest lake in Oakland County, Michigan. It covers 1,280 acres and has a maximum depth of 123 ft . It is bordered by the cities, villages, and townships of Waterford Township, West Bloomfield Township, Orchard Lake Village, and Keego Harbor.Dodge #4 State Park is located on the...
, the largest lake in the county, is in part of West Bloomfield, and Pine Lake, which has a private country club on its shore, is only a few miles away from Cass and lies completely within West Bloomfield. In addition, directly west of Pine Lake is Orchard Lake
Orchard Lake
Orchard Lake is a medium-sized inland lake, 795 acres . It has a 110 feet maximum depth and is in the city of Orchard Lake Village, Oakland County, in Michigan, USA. It is the second-largest lake in Oakland County after Cass Lake....
, which also has a private country club on its shore. Orchard Lake is surrounded by the city of Orchard Lake Village
Orchard Lake Village, Michigan
Orchard Lake Village is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a small, exclusive suburb on the outskirts of Metro Detroit. The population was 2,375 at the 2010 census....
. Several smaller lakes are scattered around these larger ones.
Orchard Lake Road runs north-south through the middle of the township and is the main artery of West Bloomfield's economy, flanked on each side by long strip malls and shopping complexes. Most of the township's population growth has occurred since the 1960s, as many residents moved there from the inner ring Detroit suburbs. West Bloomfield is located in south-central Oakland County about 10 miles (16.1 km) to the northwest from the Detroit city limits and has borders with Bloomfield Township
Bloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan
Bloomfield Charter Township, known officially as The Charter Township of Bloomfield, is a charter township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 41,070....
to its east, Farmington Hills
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Farmington Hills is a community in southeastern Michigan. It is the largest city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 79,740 at the 2010 census...
to its south, Commerce Township
Commerce Township, Michigan
Commerce Charter Township is a charter township of Oakland County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 40,186 at the 2010 census. The terrain is rolling hills, but there are large expanses of flat land on which farms and, more recently, subdivisions are built. The Huron River runs...
to its west, and four communities to its north: Waterford Township
Waterford Township, Michigan
Waterford Charter Township is a charter township in north Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township had a population of 71,707.-History:...
, Orchard Lake Village
Orchard Lake Village, Michigan
Orchard Lake Village is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan and a small, exclusive suburb on the outskirts of Metro Detroit. The population was 2,375 at the 2010 census....
, Keego Harbor
Keego Harbor, Michigan
Keego Harbor is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,970 at the 2010 census. The city originated as a real estate investment and planned resort established by Pontiac lawyer Joseph E. Sawyer circa 1900. The name Keego is said to mean "big fish" in an Indian...
, and 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:...
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 township has a total area of 31.2 square miles (80.8 km²), of which 27.3 square miles (70.7 km²) is land and 3.9 square miles (10.1 km²), or 12.49%, is water.
History
On April 22, 1833, Bloomfield TownshipBloomfield Township, Oakland County, Michigan
Bloomfield Charter Township, known officially as The Charter Township of Bloomfield, is a charter township of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the township population was 41,070....
was divided in two, and the western portion was called West Bloomfield. The area was spotted with apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
orchard
Orchard
An orchard is an intentional planting of trees or shrubs that is maintained for food production. Orchards comprise fruit or nut-producing trees which are grown for commercial production. Orchards are also sometimes a feature of large gardens, where they serve an aesthetic as well as a productive...
s throughout much of the 1800s. In fact, the plentiful apple trees located on an island in one lake led to the naming of the body of water as Orchard Lake
Orchard Lake
Orchard Lake is a medium-sized inland lake, 795 acres . It has a 110 feet maximum depth and is in the city of Orchard Lake Village, Oakland County, in Michigan, USA. It is the second-largest lake in Oakland County after Cass Lake....
, and the aforementioned island as Apple Island
Apple Island (Michigan)
Apple Island is a island that lies in the middle of Orchard Lake, in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan. The island was formed during the region's last ice age, 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. Over 400 species of flora currently inhabit the island, including many rare varieties in Oakland County...
.
Education
The primary school district serving the township is the West Bloomfield School DistrictWest Bloomfield School District
West Bloomfield School District is located in West Bloomfield, Michigan. It was formed in 1949 and covers approximately sixteen square miles. As of May 2011, its superintendent is Dr. JoAnn Andrees who succeeded Dr. Gary Faber in 2008...
, which has been recognized as one of the top public school districts in the country. A total of seven school districts serve various portions of West Bloomfield (West Bloomfield, Farmington, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Walled Lake, Pontiac and Waterford).
West Bloomfield High School
West Bloomfield High School
West Bloomfield High School is a public secondary school in West Bloomfield, Michigan. The school is the only public high school in the West Bloomfield School District. The School Enrollment for the 2010-2011 school year is about 1900. West Bloomfield High School was previously located in the...
, the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit and St. Mary's Preparatory
St. Mary's Preparatory
St. Mary's Preparatory is a Catholic secondary school in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan.-Overview:St. Mary's was founded in 1885 on Detroit's east side by Rev. Joseph Dabrowski as a school for Polish-American boys to train for the priesthood...
are the only three high schools located within the township.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A 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. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 64,860 people, 23,414 households, and 18,192 families residing in the township. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 2,374.3 per square mile (916.6/km²). There were 24,410 housing units at an average density of 893.6 per square mile (345.0/km²). The racial makeup of the township was 84.25% White, 5.18% Black or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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...
, 0.12% Native American, 7.81% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, 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 2.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.40% of the population.
There were 23,414 households out of which 37.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.5% 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, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the township the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 27.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.9 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the township was $98,832, and the median income for a family was $113,191.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=16000US2685510&-format=&-_lang=en Males had a median income of $74,557 versus $45,339 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 township was $44,885. About 1.6% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.0% of those under age 18 and 2.6% of those age 65 and over.
West Bloomfield is known for its large Jewish populations. It is home to the Jewish Community Center of Metropolitan Detroit, the Frankel Jewish Academy, a Jewish community high school, and to the museum of the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.