Westland is a city in Wayne County, Michigan. It is a western suburb of Detroit and is located about 18 miles (29 km) west of downtown Detroit. According to 2022 data, the city had a population of 84,037.

History

During the 18th century, the Potawatomi Native American tribe lived in the area. Other tribes, especially three Algonquian tribes, used the region for hunting. White settlers did not start living there until about 1824, but they began traveling through the area at the start of the 19th century.

Before it became Westland, the area had many other names. In 1827, the region was called Bucklin Township, which included parts of today’s cities such as Westland, Livonia, Garden City, Inkster, Wayne, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and Redford Township. In 1829, people suggested dividing Bucklin Township into two areas called Lima and Richland. Lima eventually became Westland. However, because of rules against repeating post office names, Lima was renamed Nankin Township, after the Chinese city of Nanking. Richland was renamed Pekin Township, after the city of Peking.

Nankin Township was mostly rural until World War II. The Norwayne subdivision is one of the oldest parts of the city, having existed for more than 65 years. It was built right after World War II to provide temporary housing for soldiers returning from the war who worked in nearby factories.

By 1960, Nankin Township had a population of 70,000, making it the largest township in the state. In the early 1960s, the city of Livonia wanted to take over part of Nankin Township where a large shopping mall, Westland Shopping Center, was planned. The mall opened in 1965, joining Northland and Eastland malls in Southfield and Harper Woods. In response to Livonia’s plans, residents of Nankin Township voted on May 16, 1966, to create the City of Westland by adding other areas. At that time, Westland became the fourth largest city in Wayne County.

Politics

The mayor of Westland is Kevin Coleman. The legislative body of Westland is the City Council, which has seven members. The current president of the City Council is Mike McDermott. Other members include Council President Pro-Tem Melissa Sampey, Peter Herzberg, Emily Bauman, James Hart, Andrea Rutkowski, and one vacant seat that will be filled in March 2024.

Education

Westland and the city of Wayne are part of the Wayne-Westland Community School District. This district includes four high schools: John Glenn High School, Wayne Westland Community High School (previously known as Tinkham Alternative Education), William D. Ford Career Technical Center in Westland, and Wayne Memorial High School in Wayne. There is also a historical site called Perrinsville School in Westland, located on Warren Road. Most students who live in Wayne attend Wayne Memorial High School, along with some students from Van Buren Township, Inkster, Romulus, Canton, and southern Westland. Students in central and northern parts of Westland, as well as some areas in Inkster and Canton, attend John Glenn High School. The northernmost areas of Westland are part of the Livonia Public Schools district.

Some areas of Westland that were once in the Taylor School District before the Inkster School District ended in 2013 are now assigned to Taylor Parks Elementary School, Hoover Middle School, and Harry S. Truman High School in Taylor.

Parts of Westland that belong to the Livonia School District include Hayes Elementary School (in Westland), Rosedale, Garfield, and Cleveland K-4 elementary schools. Other schools in this district serving Westland include Johnson Upper Elementary School and Cooper Upper Elementary School (both in Westland). Middle schools in the Livonia district that serve Westland students are Frost and Emerson. High schools in the Livonia district that serve Westland students are Churchill High School and Franklin High School.

A small area in the southeastern part of Westland is divided between Romulus Community Schools and the Taylor School District. This area was previously part of the Inkster School District. Romulus Senior High School is the assigned high school for students in Romulus. Students who lived in the Inkster area previously attended Inkster High School.

There is a charter school in Westland called Universal Learning Academy. Other schools in Westland include:
– Lutheran High School Westland
– Hope Christian Academy (previously known as Huron Valley Lutheran High School)

Geography

The United States Census Bureau reports that the city covers a total area of 20.45 square miles (52.97 km), out of which 20.43 square miles (52.91 km) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km) is water.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, Westland had a population of 85,420. The median age was 39.7 years. Nineteen point four percent of residents were under the age of 18, and sixteen point nine percent were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.0 males aged 18 and over.

One hundred percent of residents lived in urban areas, and zero percent lived in rural areas.

There were 37,677 households in Westland. Twenty-five point one percent of these households had children under the age of 18 living in them. Thirty-three point eight percent were married-couple households. Twenty-three point zero percent were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present. Thirty-five point three percent were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. Thirty-six point six percent of all households were made up of individuals. Fourteen point three percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 39,633 housing units. Four point nine percent of these units were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4 percent, and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9 percent.

As of the 2010 census, there were 84,094 people, 35,886 households, and 21,289 families living in the city. The population density was 4,116.2 inhabitants per square mile. There were 39,201 housing units at an average density of 1,918.8 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 75.8 percent White, 17.2 percent African American, 0.5 percent Native American, 3.0 percent Asian, 1.1 percent from other races, and 2.4 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 3.8 percent of the population.

There were 35,886 households. Twenty-nine point six percent had children under the age of 18 living with them. Thirty-seven point five percent were married couples living together. Sixteen point four percent had a female householder with no husband present. Five point four percent had a male householder with no wife present. Forty point seven percent were non-families. Thirty-four point three percent of all households were made up of individuals. Twelve point five percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31, and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 38.3 years. Twenty-two point one percent of residents were under the age of 18. Nine point five percent were between the ages of 18 and 24. Twenty-seven point seven percent were from 25 to 44. Twenty-six point six percent were from 45 to 64. Fourteen percent were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5 percent male and 52.5 percent female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 86,602 people, 36,533 households, and 22,248 families living in the city. The population density was 4,234.9 inhabitants per square mile. There were 38,077 housing units at an average density of 1,862.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 87.21 percent White, 6.77 percent African American, 0.46 percent Native American, 2.81 percent Asian, 0.03 percent Pacific Islander, 0.67 percent from other races, and 2.04 percent from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 2.47 percent of the population.

There were 36,533 households. Twenty-eight point six percent had children under the age of 18 living with them. Forty-four point four percent were married couples living together. Twelve point one percent had a female householder with no husband present. Thirty-nine point one percent were non-families. Thirty-two point six percent of all households were made up of individuals. Eleven point three percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34, and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, 23.3 percent of the population was under the age of 18. Nine point zero percent was from 18 to 24. Thirty-three point nine percent was from 25 to 44. Twenty point six percent was from 45 to 64. Thirteen point two percent was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,308, and the median income for a family was $55,323. Males had a median income of $45,111, and females had a median income of $30,143. The per capita income for the city was $22,615. About 4.7 percent of families and 6.8 percent of the population were below the poverty line. This included 7.6 percent of those under age 18 and 6.9 percent of those aged 65 or over.

City services

Westland has a full-time police department and fire department. The fire department provides emergency medical services, fire protection, fire prevention, and several specialized rescue teams.

The city has many parks. Hines Park, which is managed by Wayne County Parks, is located in the northern part of Westland. People living near this area often see deer, foxes, and hummingbirds throughout the year and can use the bike paths in Hines Park. Westland also has many parks owned by the city located in different neighborhoods. People from nearby cities visit Hines Park throughout the year.

The Westland Public Library, also known as the William P. Faust Public Library of Westland, provides books, magazines, CDs, playaways, videos, DVDs, and electronic materials through access to subscription databases.

The City of Westland offers automated recycling services. Residents use black bins for garbage and blue bins for recycling. Recycling bins are collected every other week, while trash is collected weekly.

The former Eloise psychiatric hospital is planned to be redeveloped as a commercial center and hotel by 2021. The building was constructed in 1839. The Wayne County Hospital stopped operating at the site in 1984, and the building was used as offices for Wayne County employees until 2016.

There are many nature trails near Westland. Newburg Lake is the closest trail to Westland.

Notable people

• Mike Modano, NHL Hall of Fame hockey player
• Daron Cruickshank, MMA fighter for the UFC
• Josh Gracin, country singer
• Ryan Scott Graham, musician
• Eric Haase, catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers
• Danielle Hartsell, pair skater
• Steve Hartsell, pair skater
• Motoko Fujishiro Huthwaite, teacher who served in World War II
• Mike Kelley, artist
• Jeremy Langford, running back for the Chicago Bears
• Charlie LeDuff, journalist and author
• Wanda Young, singer for The Marvelettes

• Michigan portal