Wixom ( / ˈ w ɪ k s ə m / WIK -səm ) is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, United States. It is a northwestern suburb of Detroit and is located about 30 miles (48.3 km) from downtown Detroit. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,193.

The city once had the Wixom Assembly Plant, which was demolished. This plant operated from 1957 to 2007. Wixom is also home to several production and manufacturing businesses, such as Trijicon, Discraft, NGK, Rockwell Medical, and Majic Window.

History

The town of Wixom began in 1831. It was first called Sibley's Corners, named after Alonzo Sibley, a young man who moved there and helped others. Sibley bought about 80 acres of land in what is now Commerce Township. Later, he purchased an additional 350 acres. In 1837, Sibley gave part of his land for a local cemetery, which was first called South Commerce Burial Ground. The name was later changed to Wixom Cemetery, and Sibley became the president of the cemetery association.

In 1871, Willard Clark Wixom, the son of Ahijah C. Wixom and Lucy Clark, allowed a railroad to cross his land for the Holly, Wayne, and Monroe Railway. Willard divided land on both sides of the railroad near the borders of Novi and Commerce Townships. In 1883, Willard opened his property to create a major railroad junction for the Michigan Airline Railroad and Grand Trunk Western Railroad. He built a railroad station, union depot (called Wixom Station), and a mail drop at the intersection of his land. The railroad junction brought new businesses, stores, a lumber yard, and a cider mill, making the area Michigan's largest grain handling center. The town’s name was changed from Sibley's Corners to Wixom. On December 24, 1901, Willard was killed when a passenger train struck his horse and buggy as he crossed the tracks.

The village of Wixom became an official town in the 1950s after plans were announced to build the Wixom Assembly Plant in Novi Township. Before that, Wixom was not officially incorporated. The village included parts of Novi and Commerce Townships. When parts of Novi Township wanted to form their own village, Wixom became a city. The city’s borders mostly match the village’s original area, except for a small parkland area on the north side, which was added from Commerce Township in the 1970s.

On November 14, 1996, Gerald Atkins entered the Ford Wixom Assembly Plant by shooting through doors with a CAR-15 semi-automatic rifle. He killed Darrell Izzard, a 57-year-old plant manager, in a hallway and injured three others. After fleeing the plant and hiding in storm drain tunnels, Atkins surrendered to law enforcement after hours of being surrounded by officers who had positioned themselves as far away as the Interstate 96 freeway.

Downtown Development

The downtown area of the city was developed with a new main street area on Pontiac Trail by the city offices called the Wixom Village Center. This was a $200 million project. The Village Center includes a pedestrian plaza, restaurants, and service shops. The residential development called Tribute of Wixom will contain 600 units that include ranch-style condos, town houses, and single-family homes. The project was postponed in 2008 and construction did not begin again until 2014.

The DDA’s main source of money is called Tax Increment Financing (TIF). TIF works by using the extra property taxes collected after the DDA was created. This happens when property values go up because of new buildings or inflation. As property values rise in the DDA District after the base year, the DDA uses the extra money to invest in the district.

• Renton Area Redevelopment: The DDA and the City of Wixom will focus on rebuilding city-owned land.
• Branding, Logo, and Wayfinding Signage: The DDA will work with Guide Studios in Cleveland, OH, to redesign the look of Downtown Wixom and create signs to help people find places in the city.
• The Civic Center Playground: The DDA worked with the Parks & Rec Commission and the Library Board to build a new playground in 2024. The DDA provided $250,000 for this project.
• West End Commons: The DDA is trying to get money from grants and other sources to develop this area. Funding includes $738,400 from Congress, $206,868 from OC ARPA, and $320,000 from the DDA.

• West End Sidewalk Project: The sidewalk on the south side of Pontiac Trail between Wixom Road and Old Wixom Road was rebuilt and updated with new landscaping boxes in 2023.
• Wixom Loop: The DDA is working with the City of Wixom Parks & Recreation Department to build this trail.
• Downtown Hanging Baskets: Baskets are installed every year in May.
• The Junction Social District: This area in the downtown district allows customers to enjoy alcoholic drinks purchased from nearby bars or restaurants.

Over $460,000 was invested back into downtown.

• Pontiac Trail Power Lines & Streetscape
• Wixom Loop – Trail Walk Activation
• Downtown Public Art Program
• Wixom Road Landscaping
• EV Charging Stations
• Expansion of downtown light posts & flower baskets
• DDA Events & Initiatives
• Wednesdays in Wixom – January/February
• Sip n Stroll – March, October
• Derby Day Races – May
• Block Party – September
• Spooktacular Downtown Treat Hunt – October
• Downtown Dazzle – November/December
• Candy Cane Lane – December

Funding was provided for: Concerts in the Park, Fireworks, Tree Lighting Festival, and other city-sponsored downtown events.

Over $100,000 was invested back into the community.

The Wixom DDA depends on volunteers to help with events, committees, board positions, and daily tasks.

Education

Most of Wixom is part of the Walled Lake Consolidated Schools district. The extreme southwest part of the city is in the South Lyon Community School District. A small part of southern Wixom is in the Novi Community School District.

Schools located within Wixom include Loon Lake Elementary School, Wixom Elementary School, Sarah Banks Middle School, and Wixom Christian School. The Twin Sun Preschool, which is part of the Walled Lake district, is also located in Wixom.

Elementary schools in the Walled Lake district that serve Wixom are Loon Lake, Wixom, Hickory Woods, and Walled Lake. Most of Wixom is assigned to Banks Middle School, with a small part assigned to Geisler Middle School. Most residents are assigned to Walled Lake Western High School. Some parts of the city are assigned to Walled Lake Central High School.

The part of Wixom in the South Lyon district is assigned to Dolsen Elementary School, Centennial Middle School, and South Lyon East High School.

Catholic schools in Wixom are managed by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit. St. Catherine of Siena Academy is located in Wixom.

St. William Catholic Church, which includes Wixom in its service area, operates St. William Catholic School, a K-8 school in Walled Lake.

Religion

St. William Church in Walled Lake serves the area of Wixom. There are also many other religious groups in the region, and a large percentage of the population does not follow any religious belief.

Media

The studios of WTVS (Detroit Public Television) are in the Riley Broadcast Center and HD Studios.

Police and fire

The police station is located in the growing downtown area on Pontiac Trail. The Wixom Police Department was created on October 14, 1957. Before 1958, Wixom received police services from the Oakland County Sheriff's Department.

Wixom is protected by Fire Station #1 on North Wixom Road. The Wixom Fire Department includes a mix of full-time, part-time, and volunteer firefighters, as well as a full-time fire chief, fire marshal, and an EMS coordinator. The Wixom Firefighters are represented by the Michigan Association of Fire Fighters.

Each year, Wixom Firefighters hold an event called Breakfast with Santa and collect non-perishable food. In a typical year, more than 1,500 pounds of food are collected and donated to local food banks.

In 1996, two Wixom police officers, Gary Hamlin and Martin Harp, did the dangerous job of capturing and arresting Gerald Atkins (the Ford plant killer) as he hid in a large storm drain. For their bravery, they received awards and recognition, including official thanks through resolutions passed by the state legislature and the National Association of Police Organizations TOP COPS award. This award was given during a ceremony at the White House, led by President Bill Clinton.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of 9.37 square miles (24.27 km), with 9.15 square miles (23.70 km) being land and 0.21 square miles (0.54 km) being water.

Demographics

As of the census in 2010, there were 13,498 people, 5,725 households, and 3,382 families living in the city. The population density was 1,475.2 people per square mile (569.6 per square kilometer). There were 6,577 housing units, with an average density of 718.8 per square mile (277.5 per square kilometer). The racial makeup of the city was 79.8% White, 11.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.9% Asian, 1.9% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 5.1% of the population.

Of the 5,725 households, 33.6% had children under 18 living with them. 44.0% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 people, and the average family size was 3.09 people.

The median age in the city was 34.8 years. 25.4% of residents were under 18; 9.3% were between 18 and 24; 31.9% were aged 25 to 44; 26.4% were aged 45 to 64; and 7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.9% male and 50.1% female.

As of the census in 2000, there were 13,263 people, 5,889 households, and 3,150 families living in the city. The population density was 1,420.0 people per square mile (548.3 per square kilometer). There were 6,086 housing units, with an average density of 651.6 per square mile (251.6 per square kilometer). The racial makeup of the city was 90.40% White, 2.50% African American, 0.51% Native American, 2.85% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.55% from other races, and 2.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race made up 3.20% of the population.

Of the 5,889 households, 30.9% had children under 18 living with them. 41.8% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.5% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 people, and the average family size was 3.07 people.

In the city, 24.9% of the population was under 18, 14.0% was aged 18 to 24, 39.1% was aged 25 to 44, 16.5% was aged 45 to 64, and 5.4% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.5 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 108.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,320, and the median income for a family was $64,918. Males had a median income of $45,798, while females had a median income of $30,942. The per capita income for the city was $27,543. About 4.5% of families and 5.4% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 2.2% of those aged 65 or older.