CHARACTERISTICS OF MICHIGAN'S CITIES

There are many characteristics of Michigan's cities that can be summarized here.   They are:

1. Suburbs grow at the expense of the city proper.

city-suburb_shares_of_metro_population.JPG (24714 bytes)

Source: Michigan Society of Planning Officials. 1995. Jobs and the Built Environment Trends. Working Paper, Michigan�s Trend Future. Michigan Society of Planning Officials, Rochester, MI.

detroit and suburbs population trends 1950-93.JPG (39644 bytes)

Source: Michigan Society of Planning Officials. 1995. Jobs and the Built Environment Trends. Working Paper, Michigan�s Trend Future. Michigan Society of Planning Officials, Rochester, MI.


2. Despite this, the city is still the area of most dense population.
population_density_of_detroit_metro_area_1990.JPEG (16727 bytes)

Source: Michigan Society of Planning Officials. 1995. Jobs and the Built Environment Trends. Working Paper, Michigan�s Trend Future. Michigan Society of Planning Officials, Rochester, MI.


3. In the recent past, Michigan's urban population has traditionally grown faster than its rural population.  This trend is changing, as more people are relocating in nearby "rural suburbs" and outlying communities.
urban_and_rural_population_1810-1990.JPEG (49934 bytes)

Source: Michigan Society of Planning Officials. 1995. Jobs and the Built Environment Trends. Working Paper, Michigan�s Trend Future. Michigan Society of Planning Officials, Rochester, MI.

This material has been compiled for educational use only, and may not be reproduced without permission.  One copy may be printed for personal use.  Please contact Randall Schaetzl (soils@msu.edu) for more information or permissions.