The Pointes
Click the City’s name for more information.
* Grosse Pointe Park, city
* Grosse Pointe, city
* Grosse Pointe Farms, city
* Grosse Pointe Shores, village
* Grosse Pointe Woods, city
- Grosse Pointe Park
- Grosse Pointe Park is an affluent city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 12,443 at the 2000 census. Bordering on Detroit with frontage on southern Lake Saint Clair, it is the westernmost of the noted Grosse Pointe suburbs, with the oldest overall housing stock of the five cities. Grosse Pointe Park is six miles east of downtown Detroit, and thus is home to many who commute to the city on a daily basis.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²). 2.2 square miles (5.6 km²) of it is land and 1.5 square miles (4.0 km²) of it is water (part of Lake St. Clair). The total area is 41.62% water. Grosse Pointe Park has borders with Detroit between Alter Road and Wayburn to the southwest and along Mack Avenue to the northwest, and the City of Grosse Pointe along Cadieux Road to the northeast.The neighborhoods in Grosse Pointe Park are built on a standard grid street pattern which flows out of Detroit, and housing ranges from tightly-packed single- and multi-family brick houses, often rentals, on the far west side of the Park, to rows of traditionally-styled single family homes generally averaging over 3,000 square feet, to multi-million dollar mansions, some of which are found on the lakeshore. The west side of the city features mixed-use neighborhoods, where retail, schools, and churches are within close walking distance. The rest of the city is basically residential, but at the eastern edge residents are in close walking distance to “the Village” shopping district in Grosse Pointe. Most of the houses in the Park were built prior to World War II, and many of these were designed by noted architects using the finest materials. Windmill Pointe Drive, and streets such as Bishop, Kensington, Edgemont Park, Three Mile Drive, Devonshire, Buckingham, Berkshire, and Balfour, among others, each have dozens of large, architecturally significant homes. These mansions and mini-manses were often placed on large lots, and later many the lots were split up, producing some of the post-war ranch and other modern homes seen on some streets.Grosse Pointe Park includes a large neighborhood located on Windmill Pointe, a once-swampy piece of land roughly south of Jefferson Avenue, the edge of which marks the entrance to the Detroit River and the end of Lake St. Clair. A large lakefront park with a pool, gym, movie theatre, and gathering spaces for residents is found at this spot. At the bottom of the point, at the foot of Three Mile Drive, is another large park, Patterson Park, which is known for its skating rink and walking trails. One way that people distinguish geography in Grosse Pointe Park is by location north or south of Jefferson Avenue, the south side being generalized as Windmill Pointe.
Grosse Pointe Park, along with Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Farms, is in the Grosse Pointe South High School district. There are two Grosse Pointe Public School System elementary schools in the Park, Defer and Trombley Schools, in addition to one middle school: Pierce Middle School. The eastern Park is also served by Maire Elementary in Grosse Pointe in the Village district. There is one private school in the Park, the K-8 St. Clare of Montefalco Catholic School on Charlevoix and Audubon Streets.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 12,443 people, 4,816 households, and 3,303 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,772.6 per square mile (2,224.2/km²). There were 5,043 housing units at an average density of 2,339.6/sq mi (901.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.48% White, 2.95% African American, 0.35% Native American, 1.82% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of the population.
There were 4,816 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.3% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 26.3% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $80,485, and the median income for a family was $104,267. Males had a median income of $73,343 versus $40,095 for females. The per capita income for the city was $42,051. About 1.8% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.
- Grosse Pointe City
is a very wealthy suburban city bordering Detroit in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,670 at the 2000 census. It is bordered on the west by Grosse Pointe Park, on the north by Detroit, on the east by Grosse Pointe Farms, and on the south by Lake St Clair. Downtown Detroit is about 8 miles (13 km) west of Grosse Pointe, accessed by Jefferson Avenue, or several other cross-streets. Grosse Pointe is one of five similarly named municipalities in northeastern Wayne County, and is often called “the City,” or Grosse Pointe City.Together with the Park and the Farms, the City is part of the older, southern Pointes, which have a greater overall population density than the northern Pointes (Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores). These areas became heavily populated 1910-1930 as one of Detroit’s first commuter suburbs; in the previous century Grosse Pointe was home to cottages, resorts, farms, and widely-spaced lakefront mansions. Grosse Pointe (”the City”), Grosse Pointe Farms, and Grosse Pointe Park make up the Grosse Pointe South High School district. Downtown Grosse Pointe, along Kercheval Avenue from Neff to Cadieux, nicknamed “The Village,” is considered by many to be the central downtown for all five of the Grosse Pointes, although each of them (except Grosse Pointe Shores) has several blocks of retail.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.3 square miles (5.9 km²). 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²) of it is land and 1.2 square miles (3.1 km²) of it is water (part of Lake St. Clair). The total area is 53.07% water.Grosse Pointe has a street layout that is basically a grid inside of its Cadieux, Mack, and Fisher Rd. boundaries. Inside of this small rectangle, most blocks have single-family homes built between 1910 and 1950, on parcels 50 feet (15 m) wide on average. Some streets have homes with large backyards, such as Washington and Lakeland, while other blocks are more compact. Home sizes and styles vary widely, from 1,500 to 12,000 square feet (1,100 m²), but slightly under 3,000 square feet (300 m²) on average. Most of the largest homes are found within a few blocks of the lakefront, and there are several blocks of mansions south of Kercheval. Grosse Pointe has retail and low-rise office buildings along Kercheval Avenue in the Village district, on Fisher Road near Grosse Pointe South High School, and along Mack Avenue bordering Detroit. Some blocks, generally just south of the Village, have townhouses and apartments, some old, some slightly newer. These can be seen along St. Paul, Maumee, and Jefferson Avenues, mostly west of Rivard Blvd., and between Notre Dame and Cadieux south of the Village.
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were 5,670 people, 2,388 households, and 1,559 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,297.9 per square mile (2,046.0/km²). There were 2,504 housing units at an average density of 2,339.7/sq mi (903.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.18% White, 0.79% African American, 0.07% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.46% of the population. The largest reported religious affiliation was Roman Catholic.
There were 2,388 households out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.4% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.3% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $81,111, and the median income for a family was $101,889. Males had a median income of $79,637 versus $44,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $53,942. About 2.2% of families and 2.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 1.9% of those age 65 or over.
Downtown Development
Several major investments in downtown Grosse Pointe, also known as “The Village,” will increase density, add residents to what was once a shopping-only district, and represent a slight change in direction for the city. The Village is generally seen as the heart of all five of the Grosse Pointe municipalities. While the five Grosse Pointes have been stable (mostly thanks to a unique market of upscale housing) over recent decades while some other inner-ring Detroit suburbs have struggled, this downtown reinvestment suggests that the Grosse Pointe will hedge itself against any possible malaise by becoming a more novel and distinctive place: a city with a large selection of housing for families, and a downtown with diverse residents and vitality to attract outsiders.
After months of receiving citizen input regarding three possible plans from three different developers for two lots (on either side of St. Clair Ave.) currently used for municipal parking directly north of the current row of retail, the City decided to grant Morningside Equities Group of Ann Arbor the right to develop mid-rise buildings on both lots, creating an all-new street wall along St. Clair, and expanding the size of the Village with ground-floor retail and upper-floor condominiums. East of St. Clair a five-story neo-tudor brick residential building with ground-floor retail space will rise. West of St. Clair a three-story structure with retail and a parking deck will be built.
Meanwhile, south of Kercheval along St. Clair Ave., another new residential or mixed-use development is in the works. “The Sterling,” a senior-geared condominium building, was planned, but the deal recently fell through, with the developer citing the poor regional housing market. Another development proposal is expected soon.
Also, work is nearing completion in the redevelopment of the Jacobson’s building along Kercheval, west of St. Clair. Upper floor office space will accompany a slate of new retailers, including a Trader Joe’s grocer which will occupy a new, specialized space in the renovated building.
Building upwards, and on top of former surface-lot space, in downtown Grosse Pointe is a rare chance for the city to increase its population and density without changing the landscape of any of the neighborhoods. The parking lots that will be built upon represent some of the only land that has not been built upon in this mature, mostly built-out city. Beyond this, the city wishes to turn the Village district back into the vital shopping destination it was when Jacobson’s was still in operation.
- Grosse Pointe Farms
Grosse Pointe Farms is a suburban city bordering Detroit located in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 9,764 at the 2000 census. It is bordered by Grosse Pointe on the west, Detroit on the north, Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe Shores on the northeast, and Lake St. Clair on the south and east. Lakeshore Drive begins in Grosse Pointe Farms, where, just east of Fisher Rd., the eastbound driver or pedestrian on Jefferson Ave. descends to lake level, following the curvature of the lakefront to the northeast.GeographyAccording to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.3 square miles (31.9 km²). 2.7 square miles (7.0 km²) of it is land and 9.6 square miles (24.9 km²) of it is water (part of Lake St. Clair). The total area is 78.10% water.The Farms has a more varied topography and streetscape than the other southern Grosse Pointes. While Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Park are built on a standard street grid and are basically flat, Grosse Pointe Farms is split between a continuation of the same grid, with many cross-streets flowing from Detroit into the other Grosse Pointes and then into the Farms, and irregular, curving street paths with some cul-de-sac streets. Furthermore, a low but noticeable ridge, likely a dune or beach ridge from when Lake Saint Clair was at a higher water level, runs through the center of the city. The Farms also contains the ‘point’ in Grosse Pointe, where, just east of the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, there is a large bend in the lakeshore, such that those on land face east, instead of south, as they do closer to the entrance of the Detroit River.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 9,764 people, 3,804 households, and 2,868 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,618.8 per square mile (1,396.3/km²). There were 3,937 housing units at an average density of 1,459.2/sq mi (563.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.58% White, 0.65% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.
There were 3,804 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.8% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.5% under the age of 18, 3.6% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 28.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 90.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $100,153, and the median income for a family was $109,264. Males had a median income of $87,108 versus $53,241 for females. The per capita income for the city was $54,846. About 1.5% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.1% of those under age 18 and 1.4% of those age 65 or over.
- Grosse Pointe Shores
Grosse Pointe Shores is a village community located in the U.S. state of Michigan. With only 1.1 mi² (3.0 km²) land area, the village is the smallest of the five Grosse Pointe communities. The village encompasses the area of two small townships. Most of the village lies within Grosse Pointe Township in Wayne County. A tiny portion of the village lies within Lake Township in Macomb County. The village, which is entirely residential, is the location of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club on Lake St. Clair.The population was 2,823 at the 2000 census. It is also has the 79th highest income for a city with over 1,000 citizens in the country. It has the 3rd highest income in the state of Michigan.Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 19.2 square miles (49.8 km²).3.0 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is land and 46.9 km² (18.1 mi²) of it is water (part of Lake St. Clair). The total area is 94.02% water.
Demographics
As of the census 2 of 2000, there were 2,823 people, 1,058 households, and 859 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,470.6 per square mile (956.1/km²). There were 1,096 housing units at an average density of 959.2/sq mi (371.2/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 93.80% White, 0.60% African American, 0.25% Native American, 4.07% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.74% of the population.
Ancestries: German (25.8%), Irish (14.2%), English (12.9%), Italian (12.1%), Arab (9.4%), Polish (8.9%). [1]
There were 1,058 households out of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.5% were married couples living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.8% were non-families. 17.1% 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 2.67 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the village the population was spread out with 22.7% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 16.7% from 25 to 44, 31.1% from 45 to 64, and 24.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.3 males.
The median income for a household in the village was $113,882, and the median income for a family was $139,680. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $59,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $69,639. About 2.7% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
- Grosse Pointe Woods
Grosse Pointe Woods is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 17,080 at the 2000 census.Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.3 square miles (8.4 km²), all land. It is the only one of the five Grosse Pointes with no Lake St. Clair shoreline, although the city owns a park in neighboring St. Clair Shores that is on the lake.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 17,080 people, 6,531 households, and 4,970 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,237.3 per square mile (2,022.9/km²). There were 6,717 housing units at an average density of 2,059.6/sq mi (795.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.30% White, 0.63% African American, 0.06% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 6,531 households out of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.4% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $78,558, and the median income for a family was $89,086. Males had a median income of $70,488 versus $43,665 for females. The per capita income for the city was $38,653. About 1.7% of families and 2.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.3% of those under age 18 and 2.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Grosse Pointe Woods is served by the Grosse Pointe Public Schools and the Grosse Pointe Public Library. Public elementary schools include Ferry, Mason, Monteith, and Poupard. Grosse Pointe’s public middle school is Parcells, and it also houses Grosse Pointe North high school, which is listed under Newsweek’s Top 1,000 Public Schools in America. University Liggett School’s two campuses are both in Grosse Pointe Woods.