Eastpointe, previously known as East Detroit, is a city located in Macomb County, Michigan. It is a suburb near Detroit, situated to the north of the city and about 11 miles (17.7 kilometers) northeast of Downtown Detroit. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 34,318 people.

History

The community was first settled by Irish and German immigrants in the 1830s. In October 1897, a post office was established there and named "Half-way" because it was near the middle point of the stagecoach route between downtown Detroit and the Macomb County seat in Mount Clemens. The area became an official village named Halfway in December 1924 and was reorganized as the city of East Detroit in January 1929. Before 1924, most of the area was part of Erin Township, which includes parts of Eastpointe, Roseville, and St. Clair Shores.

In 1992, residents voted to change the city's name to "Eastpointe." This change was made to avoid any connection with the nearby city of Detroit. The ending "pointe" in the name was chosen to link the city with the wealthy areas of the Grosse Pointes. The name change also helped the city show that it had its own history and identity, separate from Detroit. Other names were suggested for the vote but were not chosen.

The city's school district was not affected by the name change. It was called East Detroit Public Schools until 2017, when it was renamed Eastpointe Community Schools to match the city's new name. The district includes one high school (Eastpointe High School), one middle school (Eastpointe Middle School, formerly called Kelly Middle School), and four elementary schools. The school district covers most of the city of Eastpointe, except for the northeastern part (east of Kelly Road and north of Stephens Road) and a small area in the southeastern part of the city of Warren.

Geography

Eastpointe is located in southern Macomb County, 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Downtown Detroit and 7 miles (11 km) north of Grosse Pointe. The city is bordered to the west by the city of Warren, to the north by Roseville, and to the east by St. Clair Shores. To the south, it is bordered by the cities of Detroit and Harper Woods in Wayne County. Roads that mark the city's borders include Beechwood Avenue (until it reaches Stephens Road, where it changes to Hayes Road) on the western border (properties on both sides of these streets are within the city limits), 8 Mile/M-102 on the southern border, Beaconsfield Road and the southern and western sections of the I-94 service drive on the eastern border, and 10 Mile Road on the northern border, except for parts of Macomb Street west of Hayes Road.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.16 square miles (13.36 km²), of which 0.002 square miles (0.005 km²), or 0.04%, is water.

Eastpointe is generally considered a bedroom community. It is not too far from many places of interest in the Detroit area. The city is served by Interstate 94 (I-94) and I-696, as well as M-3 (Gratiot Avenue), M-102 (8 Mile Road), and 9 Mile Road.

Demographics

In 2020, Eastpointe had a population of 34,318 people, with 13,126 households and 8,523 families. The population density was 6,653.4 people per square mile (2,568.9/km²), and there were 13,798 housing units. The median age was 37.1 years. 23.8% of people were under the age of 18, and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.4 males age 18 and over. All residents lived in urban areas, and no one lived in rural areas.

Households with children under the age of 18 made up 33.4% of all households. Married-couple households were 30.9%, 21.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 38.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1%, and the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%. Of all housing units, 4.9% were vacant.

In 2010, there were 32,442 people, 12,557 households, and 8,220 families living in the city. The population density was 6,307.4 people per square mile (2,435.3/km²). There were 13,796 housing units at an average density of 2,684.0 per square mile (1,036.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 65.6% White, 29.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 2.1% of the population.

There were 12,557 households, of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.9% were married couples living together, 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.7% 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 3.19.

The median age in the city was 36.3 years. 25.7% of people were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

In 2000, there were 34,077 people, 13,595 households, and 8,959 families living in the city. The population density was 6,678.8 people per square mile (2,578.7/km²). There were 13,965 housing units at an average density of 2,737.0 per square mile (1,056.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.13% White, 4.70% African American, 0.42% Native American, 0.87% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 1.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 1.33% of the population.

There were 13,595 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 28.8% 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 2.50, and the average family size was 3.11.

Economy

The American Power Boat Association (APBA) is a nonprofit organization based in New York. It was formed in 1903 by a law passed in New York and serves as a racing group for powerboats. The APBA’s main office is located in Eastpointe.

In the past, Spirit Airlines had its main office in Eastpointe. However, the company moved its headquarters to Miramar, Florida, which is part of the Miami area, in November 1999.

In 1959, a young businessman named Art Van Elslander opened a 4,000-square-foot showroom for Danish furniture on Gratiot Avenue in Eastpointe. This store became the first Art Van location.

Culture and arts

Cruisin' Gratiot in June is an annual event that happens every year during the weekend. It celebrates the history of cars, traditions, and items from the past. The event includes car shows, contests, and live music.

The Michigan Military Technical & Historical Society Museum is located in Eastpointe.

Eastpointe has many summer festivals and events. These include the Erin-Halfway Days Living History Festival, which takes place at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park in late July. Music in the Park happens every Wednesday night at Spindler Park. Summer Fest, which was previously called The Ox Roast, occurs in mid to late August at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park.

Government

Eastpointe is a city in Michigan that has some control over its own laws. It uses a system where a mayor and four council members make decisions, and a manager handles daily operations. The mayor and four council members are elected by all voters for four-year terms that don't all end at the same time.

In 2017, Eastpointe elected its first African-American councilwoman, Monique Owens. In 2019, Suzanne Pixley, who had been mayor since 2007, did not seek reelection after her third four-year term. Councilwoman Monique Owens became mayor in 2019, making her the first African-American mayor of Eastpointe.

Owens was not reelected in the 2023 mayoral primary. Her time as mayor was marked by several problems, including a lawsuit that accused her of violating residents' rights to free speech and a criminal charge for making false claims on a grant application. Residents also had concerns about police reports she filed against critics, her failure to share financial information, her loud arguments with residents and officials during meetings, and her lack of support for the LGBT community.

On November 7, 2023, voters chose former city council member Michael Klinefelt as mayor. Eastpointe voters also elected current council member Harvey Curley and new council member Margaret Podsiadlik. The three were sworn into their roles the following Monday.

After a lawsuit was filed against the city about its use of a voting system that some said discriminated against African-American voters and broke a law called the Voting Rights Act, the city agreed to change its voting method in June 2019. It switched to a system called single transferable vote for city council elections starting in 2019.

Beginning with the November 2019 election, a voting method called ranked choice voting was used on the city council ballot. This made Eastpointe the first city in Michigan to use this system.

In 2022, four Eastpointe residents filed a lawsuit against the city and Mayor Monique Owens, claiming their First Amendment rights were violated. They said Owens interrupted their comments during public meetings and treated them unfairly based on their views. The lawsuit asked the city to change its public comment rules and sought money from the mayor.

On December 8, 2022, a federal judge ordered that Owens could not shout down speakers or limit what they could say during meetings. This order stayed in place until the case was resolved.

The lawsuit was mainly about an event during a September 2022 meeting, when Owens interrupted or talked over three residents who tried to speak. As Owens argued with one resident, the other four council members left the meeting, ending it.

The residents were helped by lawyers from the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a group that supports free speech rights.

In 2019, Eastpointe became one of the first cities in Macomb County to recognize Pride Month, even though Mayor Owens opposed it, saying the city "has always accepted everybody." On May 16, 2023, the city council voted again on a Pride Month resolution, but it failed in a 2-2 vote due to opposition from Rob Baker and Stacy Cobb-Muñiz. Owens was not at the meeting. The council's decision led to a protest at City Hall.

On September 28, 2023, Eastpointe's outgoing mayor, Monique Owens, pleaded no contest to a charge of making a false statement. The case was originally a felony charge for lying on a grant application for her business. The application claimed her business was partly owned by veterans and had many employees. An investigation found that Owens had never served in the military and was the only person working for the company. On November 9, 2023, Owens was sentenced to six months of probation, 100 hours of community service, and $725 in court costs.

Education

Eastpointe Community Schools runs public schools in Eastpointe and covers most of the city. The southeastern part of the city is instead part of South Lake Public Schools. Koepsell Elementary, a school in the South Lake district, is located in Eastpointe.

Eaton Academy, a charter school, is located in Eastpointe. It is situated on the site of the former St. Veronica School, which belonged to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit.

St. Thomas Lutheran Church once operated St. Thomas Lutheran School. Fewer students enrolled after the Great Recession in the 2000s, and the school closed in 2015. The Great Start Readiness Program began using the building after the school closed.

Eastpointe is also served by Macomb Community College's South Campus, which is located in Warren, two miles north of the city.

Wayne County Community College District's Mary Ellen Stempfle University Center is located in Harper Woods, just across 8 Mile Road from Eastpointe.

State and federal government facilities

The U.S. Postal Service runs the East Detroit Post Office in Eastpointe. The Michigan Secretary of State has an office in Eastpointe.

Notable people

Douglas A. Brook was born in 1944 and grew up in Eastpointe. He served as United States Assistant Secretary of the Army (Financial Management and Comptroller) from 1990 to 1992 and later as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller) from 2007 to 2009.

Eric Bischoff was born in 1955. He was president of World Championship Wrestling from 1993 to 1999 and worked as an on-screen personality for WWE from 2002 to 2006. He currently co-hosts the 83 Weeks podcast since 2019.

Merollis Chevrolet of Eastpointe is where Joe Girard, known as the "World's Greatest Salesman" in the Guinness Book of World Records, set multiple sales records over fifteen years.

Jerry M. Linenger, M.D., M.S.S.M., M.P.H., Ph.D., was born in Eastpointe and graduated from East Detroit High School in 1973. He was a former NASA astronaut who traveled on the Space Shuttle and Space Station Mir. He served in the United States Navy Medical Corps before retiring.

Gus and Anna Guerra, the inventors of Detroit-style pizza, opened Cloverleaf Bar on Gratiot Avenue in 1953. They previously sold Buddy's Pizza, which was originally named Buddy's Rendezvous, on Six Mile Road and Contant Street in Detroit.

Alice Cooper, born Vincent D. Furnier in 1948 in Detroit, lived in East Detroit during his childhood. He lived on Lincoln Avenue near Kelly Road and attended grade school at Kantner Elementary.

Actor Jayson Blair, known for his role in MTV's The Hard Times of RJ Berger, was born in Eastpointe.

Rapper Kid Rock mentions Eastpointe in his song "It's Still East Detroit To Me."

Christian Berishaj, who performs under the stage name JMSN, is an American singer, songwriter, and former member of the band Love Arcade, where he was known as Snowhite. He was raised in Eastpointe.

Jacob M. Appel's short story collection, Einstein's Beach House, is set in a fictional version of Eastpointe.

Adrenalin is a rock band from East Detroit, Michigan. They are best known for their song "Road of the Gypsy," which appeared in the 1986 film Iron Eagle.

The 1970 album Back in the USA, the debut studio album by the protopunk band MC5, was recorded in Eastpointe in 1969.

Sandie Baker, a contestant on Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions, was born in Eastpointe.

East Detroit High School produced several professional football players, including Gary Ballman, Ron Kramer, Matt Hernandez, and Mickey Walker.

Dennis Brown, a former American football player and coach, became the head football coach at East Detroit High School in 1995.

The Detroit Caesars were a professional softball team that played in the American Professional Slow Pitch Softball League (APSPL) from 1977 to 1979. They won two championships while playing at Memorial Field in East Detroit. The team stopped playing after the 1979 season. The Detroit Auto Kings later played in the North American Softball League (NASL) at Memorial Field in 1980 before ending professional softball in East Detroit.

Freemasonry arrived in East Detroit in the mid-1950s. East Detroit Lodge No. 589, which met on the first Monday of each month, was located at 17003 E Nine Mile. The lodge was formed in early 1955 and officially chartered by Grand Lodge of Michigan's Grand Master Henry R. Ruusi on May 24, 1955. It was later consolidated with Eureka North Warren Lodge No. 594 on March 23, 1998.

Grosse Pointe Lodge No. 584, chartered on May 27, 1953, moved from Grosse Pointe Woods to Eastpointe in March 1992. It was later consolidated with Jefferson Lodge No. 553 on September 19, 2000.

Religion

Roman Catholic churches in Eastpointe include St. Basil the Great Church and St. Veronica Parish.

The St. John Deaf Center, connected to Holy Innocents Church in Roseville, is located in Eastpointe.

St. Barnabas Catholic Church closed forever in 2021.

Our Lady of Grace Vietnamese Parish (Vietnamese: Gx Đức Mẹ Ban Ơn Lành) is in nearby Warren. Our Lady of Grace was previously in Eastpointe but moved to Warren in 2012 after merging with St. Cletus Church. The parish had more members and needed a larger building, so it joined with another church that had fewer members.