Allen Park, Michigan

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.05 square miles (18.26 km²), of which 7.00 square miles (18.13 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water.

Boundaries

Allen Park borders Southgate to the South, Lincoln Park to the east, Melvindale to the north and northeast, Dearborn to the northwest, Dearborn Heights to the north, and Taylor to the west.

Major Roads

Other Roads of Note

Fairlane Green

Fairlane Green, also known as "The Hill", is a shopping center located on a large hill between Outer Drive, I-94, Southfield Freeway, and Oakwood Boulevard. It is built on top of the former location of Veterans Administration Hospital. In 1937, Henry and Clara Ford donated 38 acres at the corner of Southfield and Outer Drive for use as a Veterans Administration hospital. Ground-breaking ceremonies for the hospital were held on July 27, 1937, with Henry Ford in attendance. Major additions to the original hospital were made after WWII and during the 1960s. The Allen Park Veterans Administration Medical Center was sometimes referred to as the Dearborn VA Hospital. It was a long time landmark that was both beautiful and interesting in its architecture. The Allen Park VA hospital was deemed eligible for the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 6, 1981 but in spite of this fact' it was demolished in 2004.

History

Allen Park was incorporated as a village in 1927, and as a city in 1957. It was named after Lewis Allen, a well-to-do lawyer and lumberman whose 276½ acres of land (primarily in Ecorse Township) included holdings in what are now Allen Park and Melvindale. Hubert Champaign (for whom Champaign Park is named) and Edward Pepper were two other early residents of the area.

In 1950 Allen Park did not include the part of the city directly west of Melvindale; that area was still part of Ecorse Township.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 28,210 people, 11,580 households, and 7,606 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,030.0 inhabitants per square mile (1,556.0/km²). There were 12,206 housing units at an average density of 1,743.7 per square mile (673.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.9% White, 2.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.1% of the population.

There were 11,580 households of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.3% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 41.7 years. 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.8% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 29,376 people, 11,974 households, and 8,202 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,189.7 per square mile (1,618.0/km²). There were 12,254 housing units at an average density of 1,747.7 per square mile (674.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.6% White, 0.7% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.81% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.73% of the population. There were 11,974 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 20.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,992, and the median income for a family was $63,350. Males had a median income of $50,143 versus $31,168 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,980. About 1.9% of families and 3.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

Former Mayor Gary Burtka resigned unexpectedly on May 31, 2011 due to a recently diagnosed cancer.

After a state review team recommended an emergency financial manager (under public act 72) for the City, Governor Rick Snyder appointed Joyce Parker to the position. Parker, who was appointed emergency financial manager for the City of Ecorse in 2009 and the Highland Park school district earlier this year, will continue her role with Ecorse as she takes over Allen Park, but she will no longer serve over the Highland Park district. Joyce Parker left in 2014 after the financial crisis was determined over by the state.

Public schools

Most of Allen Park is within the Allen Park School District. The district has three elementary schools: Arno, Lindemann, and Bennie. The district also includes Allen Park Middle School, Allen Park High School, and Allen Park Community School.

Northern Allen Park is within the Melvindale-Northern Allen Park Public Schools. Rogers Early Elementary School is within Allen Park. Residents in Melvindale-Northern Allen Park go on to Melvindale High School.

The Southgate Community School District serves Allen Park south of the Sexton-Kilfoil Drain.

Prior to the construction of Allen Park High School in 1955, education in Allen Park, provided at the Lapham school, ended after the eighth grade. Students in the Allen Park school district had to travel to Detroit Southwestern High School, Lincoln Park High School, and/or Melvindale High School.

Private schools

Private schools in Allen Park include Inter-City Baptist School and St Frances Cabrini Schools (including Cabrini High School). Historically religious private schools in Ecorse, River Rouge, and Taylor served Allen Park residents.

World's largest model tire

42.27057°N 83.20907°W / 42.27057; -83.20907

Allen Park is home to the Uniroyal Giant Tire, the largest non-production tire scale model ever built, and one of the world's largest roadside attractions. Originally a Ferris wheel at the 1964 New York World's Fair, the structure was moved to Allen Park in 1966.

World Series of Bowling

In 2009, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) announced that Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park would be the primary site for the inaugural PBA World Series of Bowling. This unique event featured the first seven tournaments of the PBA's 2009-10 season all contested in the same area. One tournament (Motor City Open) was contested in nearby Taylor, MI, while the other six (including the PBA World Championship) took place at Thunderbowl. The 2009 events ran August 2-September 6, with the televised finals being taped by ESPN on September 5–6. Thunderbowl Lanes has hosted additional PBA tournaments since that time, including the five-event PBA Fall Swing in September, 2016.