Madison Heights is a city in Oakland County, Michigan. It is a suburb close to the city center of Detroit and is about 12 miles (19.3 km) north of downtown Detroit. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 28,468.

History

Madison Heights was originally part of Royal Oak Township. It became a city through a vote on January 17, 1955, and was officially established on December 6 of the same year. This made it the tenth city government in southern Oakland County. At that time, the city covered 7.2 square miles (18.6 km²) and was one of the largest suburban areas in the Metro Detroit region. The first city hall was located at 26305 John R Road, which had previously been the township offices. On April 5, 1963, a new city hall was opened at its current location, 300 West Thirteen Mile Road. The city is located along the Interstate 696 (I-696) and I-75 corridor.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.09 square miles (18.36 km²), all of which is land.

Although 91% of the buildings in Madison Heights are single-family homes or condominiums (about 9,800 residential property owners), 60% of the city’s tax base comes from light industrial or commercial properties. The city has 15 voting precincts, with more than 21,000 registered voters in total.

Madison Heights is bordered by Troy to the north, Royal Oak to the west, Hazel Park to the south, and Warren to the east. The eastern border of Madison Heights (Dequindre Road) also marks the boundary between Oakland and Macomb counties.

The city has more than 112 miles (180 km) of roads. The city is responsible for maintaining 105 miles (169 km) of these roads, including 95 miles (153 km) used for snow removal, sweeping, and patching. Interstate 75 runs north to south along the west side of the city, and Interstate 696 forms part of the city’s southern border. The intersection of these two highways is shared with Royal Oak and Hazel Park on the southwest corner of Madison Heights.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Madison Heights had a population of 28,468 people. The population density was 4,017.5 people per square mile. The median age of residents was 38.6 years. Sixteen point five percent of residents were under 18 years old, and 16.6% were 65 years or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and older, there were 98.4 males aged 18 and older.

All residents (100%) lived in urban areas, and no one lived in rural areas. There were 13,300 households. Twenty percent of these households had children under 18 living with them. Thirty-three percent were married-couple households. Twenty-six point six percent had a male householder with no spouse or partner, and 31.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner. Thirty-eight point eight percent of households were made up of individuals, and 13% had someone living alone who was 65 or older.

There were 13,993 housing units, of which 5% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1%, and the rental vacancy rate was 6.7%. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 14.7% of households spoke a language other than English at home. Eleven point one percent of residents under 65 had a disability. Eleven point seven percent lived below the federal poverty line, and 11.9% of households lacked a broadband internet subscription.

As of the 2010 census, there were 29,694 people, 12,712 households, and 7,543 families in the city. The population density was 4,188.2 people per square mile. There were 13,685 housing units at an average density of 1,930.2 per square mile. The racial makeup included 83.9% White, 6.4% African American, 0.5% Native American, 5.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 2.5% of the population.

There were 12,712 households. Twenty-seven point five percent had children under 18 living with them. Forty-one percent were married couples. Twelve point nine percent had a female householder with no husband, and 5.4% had a male householder with no wife. Forty point seven percent were non-families. Thirty-four point one percent of households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.32, and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 38.3 years. Twenty point four percent of residents were under 18, 8.7% were between 18 and 24, 30.4% were aged 25 to 44, 26.6% were aged 45 to 64, and 13.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 31,101 people, 13,299 households, and 8,005 families in the city. The population density was 4,341.3 people per square mile. There were 13,623 housing units at an average density of 1,901.6 per square mile. The racial makeup included 89.6% White, 1.82% African American, 0.44% Native American, 4.97% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.46% from other races, and 2.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 1.61% of the population.

There were 13,299 households. Twenty-six point nine percent had children under 18 living with them. Forty-five point two percent were married couples. Ten point five percent had a female householder with no husband, and 39.8% were non-families. Thirty-three point eight percent of households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.33, and the average family size was 3.02.

In the city, 22.1% of the population was under 18, 8.1% was aged 18 to 24, 35.4% was aged 25 to 44, 20.2% was aged 45 to 64, and 14.2% was 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and older, there were 92.9 males.

The city’s median household income was $42,326, and the median family income was $51,364. Males had a median income of $41,478, and females had a median income of $29,345. The city’s per capita income was $21,429. Seven percent of families and 8.9% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under 18 and 13% of those 65 or older.

In 2008, 1.9% of the Madison Heights population had Vietnamese heritage. Sixteen Eight Asian Mart, a 38,000-square-foot supermarket, is the largest Asian supermarket in southeast Michigan and one of the largest in the state. The Chinese Cultural Center is located in Madison Heights.

Economy

Madison Heights is located within Oakland County's Automation Alley. The city covers 7.2 square miles (about 18.6 square kilometers) and includes over 1,300 commercial and industrial businesses and services. Most of these are small businesses, and more than 100 major companies operate in the city.

Madison Heights has 23 shopping centers, 11 hotels, over 860,000 square feet (about 80,000 square meters) of office space, and seven industrial parks covering 10,000,000 square feet (about 900,000 square meters).

The corporate headquarters of Hungry Howie's Pizza is located in Madison Heights. The Telway Hamburger System is a 24-hour restaurant in the city that has been around for many years. It is known for its sliders (small hamburgers) and its late-night customers.

Government

The mayor of Madison Heights is Roslyn Grafstein. She was appointed to this position in August 2020 to fill an empty seat that was previously unoccupied.

Education

Madison District Public Schools and Lamphere Public Schools operate public schools located in Madison Heights. Bishop Foley Catholic High School is a private school. Four Corners Montessori Academy is a public charter school.

Infrastructure

The Madison Heights Police Department has 44 official police officers. The Madison Heights Fire Department helps prevent fires and provides emergency medical services, with 25 firefighters working at two stations.

The city is home to the George W. Kuhn Retention and Treatment Basin, a stormwater management facility that serves southeast Oakland County.

Notable people

• Terrence Berg, judge in the federal court system
• Monte Geralds, lawmaker in the state of Michigan
• George Steele, professional wrestler
• Robert Wyland, artist who paints large wall paintings