Rochester Hills, Michigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Rochester Hills, MI | |
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| Area | |
|---|---|
| - City | 85.3 km² (32.9 sq mi) |
| - Land | 85.1 km² (32.8 sq mi) |
| - Water | 0.2 km² (0.1 sq mi) 0.24% |
| Population | |
| - City (2000) | 68,825 |
| - Density | 808.9/km² (2,095.2/sq mi) |
| Website: http://www.rochesterhills.org/ | |
Rochester Hills is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 68,825. Rochester College is located in Rochester Hills. Avondale School District and Rochester Community Schools are the public school districts in Rochester Hills. The Rochester Hills area is also home to many local athletes, business executives, and celebrities.
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[edit] History
The first European settlers were James Graham and Samuel S. Hubbell, both arriving in 1820. Avon Township was organized in 1835. Rochester incorporated as a village within the township in 1869. The township adopted a charter in 1948 under the Home Rule Act. In 1966, Rochester residents voted to become a city, effective in February 1967. As a result, Rochester residents no longer had to pay property taxes to the township.
In 1967, the township filed a petition to become a city. In January 1968, township voters approve the petition to move forward with seeking city status. Three proposed city charters were voted down by residents, the first in March 1969, the second in May 1970, and the third in September 1971. The city of Rochester then sought to annex all of the township, which was unanimously denied by the Michigan Boundary Commission. In 1972, petitions were filed to consolidate Avon Township and Rochester. In April 1974, the consolidation petition lost by 350 votes in the township, while passing by four votes in Rochester. In May 1974, Rochester's petition to annex 2.2 square miles of Avon Township was approved by the Michigan Boundaries Commission. The township became Avon Charter Township in August 1978. Court challenges to the 1974 annexation continued until November 1981, when the township was ordered to surrender the annexed property.
In May 1984, township voters approved a city charter. On November 20, 1984 township became the City of Rochester Hills. However, discussions of consolidation with Rochester continued, and in 1987, voters in both cities decively rejected consolidation.
Nicknames for Rochester Hills are "The Roc", "The Rock" and "The 248"
[edit] Geography
The City of Rochester Hills is bordered on the north by Oakland Charter Township, the east by the City of Rochester and Shelby Township, the south by the City of Troy, and on the west by the City of Auburn Hills. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 85.3 km² (32.9 mi²). 85.1 km² (32.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (0.24%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 68,825 people, 26,315 households, and 18,973 families residing in the city. The population density was 808.9/km² (2,095.2/mi²). There were 27,263 housing units at an average density of 320.4/km² (830.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.75% White, 6.76% Asian, 2.42% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.29% of the population.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 26.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $74,912, and the median income for a family was $89,653. Males had a median income of $69,280 versus $40,405 for females. The per capita income for the city was $35,070. About 2.3% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.7% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Parks System
The City operates three major parks:
- Thelma G. Spencer Park
- Borden Park
- Bloomer Park
[edit] Education
Rochester Hills Christian School is a coeducational Baptist school located in Rochester Hills, Michigan which educates students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. The school was established in 1972 and also serves as the Rochester Hills Baptist Church. Rochester Hills Christian School is affiliated with the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS). As of 2006, the school enrolls 343 pupils.[1] Roughly 73% of those in attendance are Asian or Pacific Islander, 15% are White, 10% are Hispanic, and 1.5% are Black. [2]
[edit] some Notable current & former residents
- Paul Davis, professional basketball player
- Gordon R. England, former Secretary of the Navy
- Amy Frazier, professional tennis player
- Greg Johnson, professional hockey player
- Brad Keselowski, NASCAR driver
- Walter Kowalczyk, professional american football player
- Martin Lapointe, professional hockey player
- Terry Mills , professional basketball player
- Rick Mahorn, professional basketball player
- Madonna, singer/entertainer
- Danny Manning, professional basketball player
- Marshall Bruce Mathers III aka Eminem entertainer
- Spencer Redford, actress
- Walter Reuther, union organizer
- Kerry Roop, former USA and World Champion kickboxer
- Barry Sanders, professional american football player
- Charlie Sanders, professional american football player
- Mary-Jo Sanders, professional boxer (daughter of Charlie Sanders]]
- Peter Vanderkaay, Olympic swimmer
- Rasheed Wallace, professional basketball player
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.rhbc-s.org/index.html
- ^ http://schools.privateschoolsreport.com/Michigan/RochesterHill/RochesterHillsChristianSch.html
