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Oak Park is an inner-ring suburb in Metro Detroit, Michigan. As of the 2000 census, it population was 29,793.
The film 8 Mile is named after 8 Mile Road that separates Detroit from some of its suburbs; Oak Park is one of the suburbs along the road.
History
Oak Park officially became a city on October 30, 1945 when the state of Michigan accepted the city charter. Planned developments in the late 1950s resulted in Oak Park being named "America's Fastest Growing City" at one point. Major civic improvements in this period included the addition of an outdoor swimming pool and an ice rink in Major Park (now known as Shepherd Park, after former mayor David Shepherd, but long known informally as Oak Park Park).
Oak Park is home to six of the steel and ceramic houses built by the Lustron company in the early 1950s, which provided an inexpensive type of shelter for servicemen returning from World War II. They can be found on Oneida St., just North of 9 Mile road.
Oak Park grew into a quiet city of one-story houses, sidewalks, trees, and backyards. For many years it has had the feeling of a small town, even though it borders the city of Detroit and several of its larger suburbs.
In 2004, the city annexed parts of Royal Oak Charter Township, Michigan, which were contiguous areas left out of the area originally chartered as the City of Oak Park in 1945.
Shepherd Park (Oak Park Park)
The park is a major center of activity and has well-designed and attractive playgrounds for children. It is where the 4th of July parade ends and further holiday festivities begin.
The most famous attribute of the park, however, was an unintended consequence of the major building boom in the '50s. Hamilton Hill was formed when builders began dumping excess fill dirt in one specific section of the park. During the winter, kids brought their sleds there, and enjoyed an exciting ride to the bottom, as chronicled in Esther Meeks' children's book "The Hill That Grew." Because of the general flatness of the city, Hamilton Hill is usually referred to simply as "the hill." Indeed, residents are often surprised to find out that it has an official name.
This park is often referred to as Oak Park Park.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.0 km² (5.0 mi²). None of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 29,793 people, 11,104 households, and 7,595 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,291.5/km² (5,932.0/mi²). There were 11,370 housing units at an average density of 874.5/km² (2,263.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 46.95% White, 45.95% African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.18% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.60% from other races, and 4.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.28% of the population.
Oak Park has attracted a large number of Orthodox Jewish families since the 1970s. Many are Haredi. The community and its surrounding areas has many synagogues and a number of yeshivas.
There were 11,104 households out of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.6% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $48,697, and the median income for a family was $54,786. Males had a median income of $40,922 versus $35,968 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,677. About 7.8% of families and 9.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.9% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
External link
Oakland County, Michigan | Cities in Michigan | Orthodox Jewish communities
"Oak Park, Michigan"