River Rouge (/rɪˈvɜːr ruːʒ/, French: Rivière Rouge, which means "red river") is a city located in Wayne County, Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the population of the city was 7,224.

The city is named after the River Rouge, which flows along its northern border and into the Detroit River. The city includes an industrial area called Zug Island and has its own school district called the River Rouge School District.

History

The small settlement became a village in 1899 as part of Ecorse Township. In 1922, when the city of Detroit wanted to take over land in the township, the Village of River Rouge became a city on April 3 to avoid being annexed. One month later, Detroit completed taking over land in the township directly west of River Rouge.

A significant historical connection to River Rouge is its link to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, a ship that carried goods on the Great Lakes. The ship was built in 1958 at the Great Lakes Engineering Works in River Rouge and was the largest ship on the lakes at that time. It sank in 1975 during a severe storm on Lake Superior, and all 29 crew members died.

The city reached its highest population in 1950, when industry was the main part of the local economy. Changes in heavy industry and the movement of jobs to other places caused the city to lose population. In 2020, the population was 35% of what it was in 1950. Many workers who could find jobs elsewhere left the city. This migration caused changes in the racial makeup of the city’s population.

Geography

The United States Census Bureau reports that the city covers a total area of 3.24 square miles (8.39 km²). Of this area, 2.65 square miles (6.86 km²) is land, and 0.59 square miles (1.53 km²) is water.

Within the city’s land area, 0.93 square miles (2.41 km²) is Zug Island, which is not inhabited. The River Rouge forms the northern border with the city of Detroit, and the Detroit River creates the eastern boundary of the city. The Mariners Memorial Light is a working lighthouse located along the Detroit River within the city. It was built in 2004 and is located in Belanger Park. This lighthouse is the most recently constructed lighthouse in the state of Michigan.

The city of River Rouge has its own post office at 10455 West Jefferson Avenue. This post office uses ZIP Code 48218, which covers most of River Rouge and a small part of Ecorse to the south. Zug Island uses ZIP Code 48209 from Detroit.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 7,903 people, 2,897 households, and 1,885 families. The population density was 2,982.3 people per square mile (1,151.5/km²). There were 3,731 housing units, with an average density of 1,407.9 per square mile (543.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 39.4% White, 50.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 4.2% from other races, and 5.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 11.2% of the population.

There were 2,897 households, with 37.7% having children under 18 living with them. Of these, 25.1% were married couples, 32.3% had a female householder without a husband, 7.6% had a male householder without a wife, and 34.9% were non-families. Twenty-nine point five percent of all households included only one person, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.73 people, and the average family size was 3.37 people.

The median age in the city was 33 years. Twenty-nine point two percent of residents were under 18, 10.6% were between 18 and 24, 24.4% were aged 25 to 44, 24.7% were aged 45 to 64, and 11.2% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

As of the 2000 census, the city had 9,917 people, 3,640 households, and 2,504 families. The population density was 3,713.9 people per square mile (1,433.9/km²). There were 4,080 housing units, with an average density of 1,528.0 per square mile (590.0/km²). The racial makeup was 52.58% White, 42.01% African American, 0.78% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.63% from other races, and 2.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race made up 4.96% of the population.

There were 3,640 households, with 36.0% having children under 18 living with them. Of these, 31.4% were married couples, 30.4% had a female householder without a husband, and 31.2% were non-families. Twenty-six point three percent of all households included only one person, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.72 people, and the average family size was 3.25 people.

The population was spread across age groups: 31.2% under 18, 10.2% aged 18 to 24, 29.2% aged 25 to 44, 18.8% aged 45 to 64, and 10.6% aged 65 or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and older, there were 84.1 males.

The median household income was $29,214, and the median family income was $33,875. Males earned a median income of $35,613, while females earned $24,391. The average income per person was $13,728. Nineteen point one percent of families and 22.0% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 30.6% of those under 18 and 10.5% of those aged 65 or older.

Education

The River Rouge School District provides education to students in the city of River Rouge and a small part in the northern area of the city of Ecorse. The district includes four schools: River Rouge STEM Academy, Ann Visger Elementary School, Clarence B. Sabbath Elementary/Middle School, and River Rouge High School.

Images

• River Rouge Civic Center
• River Rouge Public Library
• U.S. Post Office in River Rouge
• West Jefferson Avenue–Rouge River Bridge
• Mariners Memorial Light