Detroit, Michigan

Demographics:

• The population of Detroit is estimated at 912,062
• There are 336,428 households within the city limits
• The average income per household is $28,097
• People who live in Detroit use the area code 313 (Find a phone number in Detroit here)

Many famous people have lived in Detroit, including:
Eminem, Diana Ross, Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Smokey Robinson, Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Francis Ford Coppola, Gilda Radner, Tome Selleck, Casey Kasem, Joe Louis, Charles Lindbergh, Henry Ford, Rosa Parks

Historical Notes:
Detroit is known as the home of the "Motown Sound" which was created by Berry Gordy Jr.

Although Detroit is not the capital of Michigan, the city did enjoy that distinction for more than 4 decades in the early 1800's.

The first traffic light in the country was used in Detroit

A Detroit resident named Austin Burt invented the typewriter in 1829.

Detroit's history goes back to the late 1600's when France chose a spot near the Great Lakes to establish a military fort. Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac played a key role in creating the first settlement in the area, which was known as Fort Ponchartrain.

By 1802 Detroit was incorporated as a town, and the area grew quickly. A large fire destroyed much of the town in 1805, and the town's future seemed to be in peril as the residents adopted a system of martial law. The following year, however, Detroit was granted the title of city and appointed a new system of government.

Henry Ford founded The Ford Motor Company in 1904. The company's incredible success helped stir competitors into action, causing Detroit to become known as the automotive capital of the world, or "Motor City". Every January the city hosts the North American International Auto Show.