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Troy, Michigan

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Troy, Michigan
File:Troy4.jpg
Nickname(s): 
The City of Tomorrow, Today
Location in the state of Michigan
Location in the state of Michigan
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyOakland
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorLouise Schilling
 • City managerPhil Nelson
Area
 • City
33.6 sq mi (87.1 km2)
 • Land33.6 sq mi (86.9 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)
Population
 (2000)
 • City
80,959
 • Density2,414/sq mi (932.0/km2)
 • Metro
5,456,428
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Websitehttp://www.ci.troy.mi.us

Troy is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a suburb of Detroit. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 80,959, the 12th largest city in Michigan by population. Troy has become a business and shopping destination in the Metro Detroit area, with numerous office centers and the upscale Somerset Collection mall.

History

The first land purchases in what became Troy Township were recorded in 1819 in section 19. The first settlement, known as Troy Corners, originated two years later when Johnson Niles purchased 160 acres in what is now the north-central portion of the city. Four years later, Ira Smith built the first house at Big Beaver Corners, and the first public school opened at Troy Corners. Troy Township was organized on May 28 1827. The City of Troy was incorporated in 1955, mainly as a way to prevent neighboring cities (Clawson, Royal Oak, and Birmingham) from incorporating any more of its land into their cities.

In 1966, I-75 was completed in Troy, which increased access to and from the city. This gave a major boost to Troy's economy, leading to the development of its civic center, school district, and recreation system[citation needed].

File:Troymuseum.jpg
"Town Square" in the Troy Historical Museum. In the foreground is the gazeebo, and in the background, the schoolhouse and general store.

The Troy Historical Museum is a free-to-the-public, town-square-like museum chronicaling the different stages of Troy's progression from first inhabitation to the city it has become today. Located at the corners of Livernois Road and Wattles Road, the museum is located behind the old city hall building. Open year round, the museum has ten original, complete structures which patrons may enter and observe how they functioned in the past and how they were decorated, as all buildings are full of artifacts from that period. Each structure is original and was painstakingly moved from its original location to the museum intact. Starting with a log and mud structure used by the first settlers, there is also an 18th century schoolhouse and estate, a general store, a blacksmith's shop, a church along with the pastor's home, and the old city hall, which acts as a general museum. There is a gazeebo in the center of the square which will host parties and period bands during annual festivities. Many schools from around the area plan field trips to the museum, and the church is also available for weddings. [1]

Today

In both 2005 and 2006, Troy was chosen by City Crime Rankings as one of the "Safest Cities in America", coming in at #5 in the United States both years and first in the state of Michigan, respectively. [2]

In 2003, Troy was named Michigan's Sportstown by Sports Illustrated magazine for having the top community sports programs in the state.

Troy is also the second largest city in the state based on total property value.

In the summer of 2005, to commemorate the city's 50th anniversary, ceramic beaver statues, each standing four feet (1.2 m) high, were displayed at various locations in the city. The beaver is the symbol of Troy, and the city's main commercial thoroughfare (Big Beaver Road) is named for it.

Troy is also home to the Troy Sports Center, which is the official training facility of the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL. The facility is also used for indoor soccer and hockey leagues, and is home to the city's high school hockey teams.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 33.6 square miles (87.1 km²)—33.5 square miles (86.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.3 km²) of it (0.30%) is water. Troy, by population, is the 12th largest city in Michigan[citation needed].

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 80,959 people, 30,018 households, and 21,883 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,413.9 people per square mile (932.0/km²). There were 30,872 housing units at an average density of 920.5 per square mile (355.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.30% White, 2.09% African American, 0.15% Native American, 13.25% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.82% from two or more races. 1.46% of the population is Hispanic or Latino of any race. Troy has the highest percentage of Asians of any city in Michigan.

There were 30,018 households out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 98.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $77,538, and the median income for a family was $92,058. Males had a median income of $66,475 versus $41,026 for females. The per capita income for the city was $35,936. About 1.7% of families and 2.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 5.5% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

In the midst of one of the wealthiest counties in the United States, Troy is a thriving center of business, particularly in the automotive and financial sectors, and is home to a number of major companies. Based on property value, Troy is the second largest city in Michigan, second only to Detroit. The Top of Troy is the city's tallest building (now renamed the National City Center). Troy is home to the upscale Somerset Collection mall, featuring a skywalk and over 180 stores, and the Oakland Mall.

Major companies headquartered in Troy

^ Arbor Drugs was headquartered in Troy until it was acquired by CVS Corporation in 1998 for an estimated $1.48 billion, in the process making CVS the nation's largest chain-drug retailer.

^^Kmart was headquartered in Troy until it acquired Sears in 2005, establishing itself in the former Sears headquarters in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Its massive headquarters still remains, though it is scheduled for demolition and the creation of a landscaped square with boulevards lined with upscale shops, restaurants, offices, a theater, and condominiums [3].

Government and Politics

Troy utilizes the Council-Manager form of government, and thus is governed by a City Council consisting of a Mayor and six council members. The city council appoints a City Manager, who manages the day-to-day operations of the city.

Historically, Troy has been fiscally conservative owing to the relative wealth of Troy residents, and has been a bastion of the Republican Party. Libertarianism is one of the stronger strains of conservatism in Troy, and historically there have been several libertarians on the city council, such as Robert Gosselin, David Eisenbacher and Martin Howrylak.

In the past two election cycles, however, Republican margins have been decreasing across the board, and while Republicans retain their hold on the city, it is seen as trending Democratic, especially at a national level.

Education

Troy is home to Walsh College, a business oriented school, as well as branches for the University of Phoenix, Central Michigan University, Spring Arbor University, and ITT Technical Institute. Michigan State University also has its Management Education Center located off of I-75.

Troy is well known for its exemplary schools both in Michigan as well as around the nation. The Troy School District has six national blue ribbon and 13 State Exemplary Schools. The schools have a 99% graduation rate, with 95% of those students going on to higher education and 2% going on to military service[4]. Both Troy High School and Athens High School were named to the list of The 100 Most Outstanding High Schools in the United States by the U.S. News and World Report.

The public schools comprising the Troy School District are as follows:

Elementary

  • Barnard
  • Bemis
  • Costello
  • Hamilton
  • Hill
  • Leonard
  • Martell
  • Morse
  • Schroeder
  • Troy Union
  • Wass
  • Wattles

Middle

  • Baker
  • Boulan Park
  • Larson
  • Smith

High

Oakland-Troy Airport

Oakland-Troy Airport (IATA: VLL, ICAO: KVLL), formerly (IATA: 7D2, ICAO: K7D2) is a small suburban general aviation airport operated by Oakland County and has a single 3550 ft x 60 ft (1082 m x 18 m) paved runway.

The Oakland-Troy Airport is considered the County's 'executive' airport. Business travelers and tourists using private, corporate and charter aircraft benefit from the airport's convenient proximity to business, recreation and entertainment facilities. [5] It is located between Maple Road and 14 Mile Road.

Charter passenger, air freight, as well as aircraft maintenance and fuel, are available on the field.

Troy was also home to the Big Beaver Airport, (IATA: 3BB), which was located at the corners of Big Beaver Road and John R Road. It opened in 1946 and closed in 1995 due to declining use and pressure to sell the land for commercial development. [6]

Media

In addition to the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, regional newspapers serving all of southeast Michigan, the city is served by the Daily Tribune[7](published daily), the Observer & Eccentric[8] (which is published twice a week), the Troy Beacon[9], the Troy Times[10], and the Troy-Somerset Gazette[11].

Notable Current & Former Residents

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