User:Bkonrad/Harper Woods temp

This is a holding cell for a rewrite of the history section I won't have a chance to finish just yet. Feel free to edit if you like. I hope to return to it within a few days. older ≠ wiser 02:42, 25 July 2006 (UTC)

Harper Woods is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 14,254.

History
When the present area of Wayne County was first divided into townships, Harper Woods was within Hamtramck Township, which at the time included what is now the city of Hamtramck, as well as most of the land lying to the east of Hamtramck and south of the Macomb County line. Grosse Point Township was created on April 1, 1848, consisting of the five present-day Grosse Pointe communities and Harper Woods. Gratiot Township was created on May 16, 1895. The residents of Gratiot Township voted to incorporate as the City of Harper Woods on February 19, 1951, which became effective on October 19, 1951 when the first City Council was sworn in.

with Harper Woods and the Grosse Pointe communities. Grosse Pointe Township, consisting of the Grosse Pointe was separated

It was incorporated in 1951 from Gratiot Township and renamed for its being in a heavily wooded area and from its then main thoroughfare, Harper Avenue. Harper Avenue, which begins in Detroit, was named for Walter Harper, founder of Harper Hospital, in Detroit.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.7 km² (2.6 mi²), all land.

Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 14,254 people, 6,292 households, and 3,756 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,133.1/km² (5,521.1/mi²). There were 6,514 housing units at an average density of 974.8/km² (2,523.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.92% White, 10.24% African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.57% of the population.

There were 6,292 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 35.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 32.8% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,769, and the median income for a family was $55,065. Males had a median income of $46,747 versus $34,138 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,900. About 2.9% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.0% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Race relations
Given that Detroit proper shares a border with Harper Woods, the Harper Woods police department was frequently accused of and criticized for racial profiling against black drivers (given the 85.92% white majority within the city limits) in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Grosse Pointe Relations
The city of Harper Woods has historically been a part of the Grosse Pointe community, as it was originally part of Grosse Pointe Township since April 1848. When the city became independent in 1951, the proposed name of Grosse Pointe Heights came in second to the choice of Harper Woods. However, the decision was made by a small group of city officials. There was never a public vote. The Grosse Pointes are noted for being wealthier cities, and it is believed that changing the city's name to Grosse Pointe Heights will boost the city’s land value and reputation, as well as restore the city’s historical heritage.

A November 2006 ballot proposal would give current homeowners the chance to decide for themselves whether to keep the current name or to legally change the name to Grosse Pointe Heights. A recent switch by Eastpointe from their previous name (East Detroit) was reportedly inexpensive and has been said to have raised home resale values. Others argue that the name change did not help Eastpointe.

Schools
Recently, Notre Dame High School was closed after 50 years. The Archdiocese of Detroit cited budget problems as a primary factor.