Westland, Michigan

Westland is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located about 16 miles (26 km) west of downtown Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 84,094.[6] It is the 10th largest city and 12th largest municipality in Michigan.

Westland, Michigan
City
City of Westland
Westland City Hall
Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): 
An all American City
Location within Wayne County
Westland
Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 42°19′27″N 83°24′01″W
Country United States
State Michigan
County Wayne
Government
 • MayorWilliam R. Wild
Area
 • City20.45 sq mi (52.96 km2)
 • Land20.43 sq mi (52.92 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2)
Elevation
666 ft (199 m)
Population
 • City84,094
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
81,511
 • Density3,989.38/sq mi (1,540.33/km2)
 • Metro
4,285,832 (Metro Detroit)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
48185, 48186, 48187
Area code(s)734
FIPS code26-86000[4]
GNIS feature ID1616212[5]
WebsiteOfficial website

History

Early history
The Octagon House, part of the Westland Historical Park
Nankin Mills
The Westland Center
View from Ford Road (M-153) in central Westland, MI

During the 18th century, the area was inhabited by the people of a Potawatomi Native American village. Other tribes, particularly three Algonquian tribes, used the area as hunting territory. Though white settlers did not begin to settle the area until about 1824, they began passing through at the beginning of the 19th century.

Before becoming Westland, the area had several other names. In 1827, the area became known as Bucklin Township, which included what is now the cities of Westland, Livonia, Garden City, Inkster, Wayne, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights and Redford Township. In 1829, it was proposed that Bucklin Township be divided into Lima and Richland; the former is what eventually became Westland. Due to name conflicts under territorial law prohibiting duplication of post office names, Lima was renamed Nankin Township, after the Chinese city of Nanking.[7]

Later history

Nankin Township was mostly rural until World War II. Norwayne subdivision is one of the oldest areas of the city, having existed for over 65 years. The area was built immediately after World War II to provide temporary housing for returning soldiers who worked in nearby factories.[8]

By 1960, Nankin Township's population had increased to 70,000, giving the area the distinction of being the state's largest township. During the early 1960s, the city of Livonia wanted to annex the part of Nankin in which a large shopping mall, Westland Shopping Center, was to be built. The shopping center eventually opened in 1965, joining Northland and Eastland malls in Southfield and Harper Woods, respectively.[9] In reaction to Livonia's annexation attempts, the people of Nankin voted on May 16, 1966, to change the remainder of the township to the City of Westland.[7] At that time, it was the fourth largest city in Wayne County.

Politics
The Westland City Hall Sign

The current mayor of Westland is William (Bill) Wild. Mr. Wild took office in January 2007 and continues to serve as mayor.[10]

The legislative body of Westland is the City Council, which contains seven members. The current President of the City Council is James Hart. Other Council members are Council President Pro-Tem Michael Londeau, Peter Herzberg, Andrea Rutkowski, Mike McDermott, James Godbout, and Tasha Green.[11]

Education
John Glenn High School
Huron Valley Lutheran High School

Westland and the city of Wayne form the Wayne-Westland Community School District. There are four high schools, John Glenn, Tinkham Center, and William D. Ford Career Tech Center in Westland, and Wayne Memorial in Wayne. There is a historical site, Perrinsville School in Westland on Warren Road. Nearly all students that live in the city of Wayne go to Wayne Memorial High School, along with some residents of Van Buren Township, Inkster, Romulus, Canton and southern Westland. Students in central Westland and portions of northern Westland, as well as isolated areas of neighboring Inkster and Canton, attend John Glenn High School. The northernmost portions of Westland are in the Livonia Public Schools district.[12]

Portions of Westland that had been in the Taylor School District prior to the 2013 dissolution of the Inkster School District are assigned to Taylor Parks Elementary School,[13] Hoover Middle School,[14] and Harry S. Truman High School in Taylor.[15]

Portions in Livonia School District are assigned to Hayes (in Westland), Rosedale, Garfield, and Cleveland K-4 elementary schools.[16][17] 5-6 elementary schools include Johnson Upper Elementary School (in Westland) and Cooper Upper Elementary School (in Westland). Livonia SD middle schools serving Westland include Frost and Emerson. Livonia SD high schools serving Westland include Churchill High School and Franklin High School.[16][18]

There is a portion of southeastern Westland that is currently divided between Romulus Community Schools and the Taylor School District that was previously assigned to the Inkster School District.[19][20] Romulus Senior High School is the assigned high school for Romulus students. Students in the Inkster zone previously attended Inkster High School.

There is a charter school in Westland, Universal Learning Academy.

Private schools:

St. Damian Catholic School in Westland closed in 2016.[21]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.45 square miles (52.97 km2), of which 20.43 square miles (52.91 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[22]

Demographics
The 18th District Court, located in Westland
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19309,806—
194015,83861.5%
195030,40792.0%
196060,74399.8%
197086,74942.8%
198084,603−2.5%
199084,7240.1%
200086,6022.2%
201084,094−2.9%
2019 (est.)81,511[3]−3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[23]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 84,094 people, 35,886 households, and 21,289 families living in the city. The population density was 4,116.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,589.3/km2). There were 39,201 housing units at an average density of 1,918.8 per square mile (740.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.8% White, 17.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 3.0% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.8% of the population.

There were 35,886 households, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.7% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 38.3 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.7% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 86,602 people, 36,533 households, and 22,248 families living in the city. The population density was 4,234.9 per square mile (1,635.1/km2). There were 38,077 housing units at an average density of 1,862.0 per square mile (718.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.21% White, 6.77% African American, 0.46% Native American, 2.81% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 2.04% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.47% of the population.

There were 36,533 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.3% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,308, and the median income for a family was $55,323. Males had a median income of $45,111 versus $30,143 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,615. About 4.7% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.6% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

City services
The William P. Faust Public Library

Westland has a full-time police department and fire department. The fire department offers advanced EMS, fire protection and prevention, and several specialized rescue teams.

The city is known for having an abundance of parks. Hines Park (wayne county parks) is located in the northern region of Westland. Residents along this corridor enjoy seeing deer, fox and hummingbirds all year long as well as easy access to the bike paths of Hines Park. Westland also has numerous City owned parks throughout many of the neighborhoods.

The Westland Public Library offers books, magazines, CDs, playaways, videos, DVDs and electronic materials through access to subscription databases.

The City of Westland offers automated recycling services. For waste disposal, residents have black bins for garbage, and blue bins for recycling. Recycle bins are picked up every other week, while trash is picked up weekly.

Notable people

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Westland city, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  7. "Founding Westland | Michigan History". Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  8. Ramirez, Charles E. "Westland's Norwayne neighborhood revival hits milestone". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  9. Westland Shopping Center (Westland, Mich ). "Westland Shopping Center records". quod.lib.umich.edu. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  10. "Office of the Mayor | Westland, MI". mi-westland.civicplus.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  11. "City Council | Westland, MI". mi-westland.civicplus.com. Retrieved 2020-12-26.
  12. Wayne RESA School District Map
  13. "Elementary School Boundary Map." Taylor School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2014.
  14. "Middle School Boundary Map." Taylor School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2014.
  15. "High School Boundary Map." Taylor School District. Retrieved on April 20, 2014.
  16. "Official Zoning Map." City of Westland. September 2014. Retrieved on April 21, 2016.
  17. "K-4 Elementary areas." Livonia School District. Retrieved on April 21, 2016.
  18. "Upper elementary areas, middle school areas, and high school areas." Livonia School District. Retrieved on April 21, 2016.
  19. "NEW SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES FOR INKSTER RESIDENTS" (Map). Wayne RESA. Retrieved on April 20, 2014.
  20. "Street Jurisdiction Map" (Archive) City of Westland. Retrieved on April 20, 2014.
  21. "St. Raphael, St. Genevieve, St. Damian schools close". Detroit Free Press. 2016-06-14. Retrieved 2020-05-01.
  22. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  23. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  24. Clemens, Paul. "Breakdown ‘Detroit: An American Autopsy,’ by Charlie LeDuff." The New York Times. February 22, 2013. Retrieved on July 12, 2014.

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