Ypsilanti ( / ˌ ɪ p s ə ˈ l æ n t i / IP -sə- LAN -tee ), often called Ypsi ( / ˈ ɪ p s iː / IP -see ), is a city and college town located on the Huron River in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States. According to the 2020 census, the city had a population of 20,648. The city is bordered by Superior Charter Township to the north and Ypsilanti Charter Township (a separately governed area) to the west, south, and east. Ypsilanti is part of the Ann Arbor–Ypsilanti metropolitan area, the Huron River Valley, and the Detroit–Warren–Ann Arbor combined statistical area.

Ypsilanti is known for being the home of Eastern Michigan University (formerly Michigan State Normal College), which was founded in 1849 as Michigan's first normal school (teachers' college). The city is also located on the historic Detroit–Chicago Road (now US Highway 12), features the historic Depot Town commercial district, and includes the notable Ypsilanti Water Tower, built in 1890. The city is closely linked to Ford Motor Company's Willow Run Bomber Plant, which produced over 8,500 Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombers during World War II. Ypsilanti's Ford Lake was created when Ford Motor Company built a dam on the Huron River to generate hydroelectric power. The city is also home to the first Domino's Pizza location, located near EMU's McKenny Student Union on South Campus.

History

Originally, a trading post was established in 1809 by a French-Canadian fur trader from Montreal. A permanent settlement was created on the east side of the Huron River in 1823 by Major Thomas Woodruff. It became part of the Territory of Michigan as the village of Woodruff's Grove. A separate community was started in 1825 on the west side of the river and named "Ypsilanti" after Demetrios Ypsilantis, a hero in the Greek War of Independence. In 1829, Woodruff's Grove changed its name to Ypsilanti, the same year Demetrios Ypsilantis won the Greek Independence War at the Battle of Petra. The two communities later merged. A bust of Demetrios Ypsilantis by Greek sculptor Christopher Nastos stands between a Greek and a US flag at the base of the Ypsilanti Water Tower.

Elijah McCoy moved to Ypsilanti with his family after the Civil War. Racial barriers in Ypsilanti prevented him from working as an engineer immediately, so he worked as a fireman and oiler for the Michigan Central Railroad while experimenting with machinery in his home workshop. During this time, he developed his first automatic lubricator. Today, Ypsilanti honors McCoy with a Michigan historical marker near his former home and workshop.

In the late 19th century, Ypsilanti became known for making full-body long underwear called union suits, often called "Ypsilanti suits." These garments were produced at the Hay & Todd woolen mill, later renamed the Ypsilanti Underwear Company, near the Huron River. The suits were shown at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago and sold worldwide, giving Ypsilanti a reputation for quality clothing. The factory employed many workers, especially women, and had a large mural of a union suit visible to passing trains. The company declined in the early 20th century, was sold to the Oak Knitting Company in 1907, and the mill buildings were torn down in 1933. Examples of Ypsilanti underwear are kept at the Ypsilanti Historical Museum.

Ypsilanti played an important role in the automobile industry. From 1920 to 1922, Apex Motors made the "ACE" car. A quarter-mile stretch of land along Michigan Avenue became a car dealership hub starting in 1912 and ending in the 1990s. This area is called "The Amazing Quarter Mile" and is part of the Ypsilanti Historic District. It is also part of the Water Street Redevelopment Area. Preston Tucker, whose family owned the Ypsilanti Machine Tool Company, designed prototypes for his Tucker '48 in Ypsilanti. His story was told in the film Tucker: The Man and His Dream, directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

In 1945, Henry J. Kaiser and Joseph W. Frazer bought the Willow Run B-24 bomber plant from Ford Motor Company and began making Kaiser and Frazer cars in 1947. The last Kaiser car made in Ypsilanti was produced in 1953 when the company merged with Willys–Overland and moved production to Toledo, Ohio. General Motors later bought the Kaiser Frazer plant and turned it into its Hydramatic Division (now called the Powertrain Division), starting production in November 1953. The GM Powertrain Division stopped making cars at this facility in 2010.

Ypsilanti is also where the last Hudson automobile dealership was located. Today, the former dealership is the site of the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Collection. The museum houses an original Fabulous Hudson Hornet race car, which inspired the character Doc Hudson in the 2006 Pixar film Cars.

In the early 1970s, Ypsilanti reduced the penalty for using or selling marijuana to $5 (the Ypsilanti Marijuana Initiative). In 1979, Faz Husain became the first Muslim and first native of India elected to the Ypsilanti city council in Michigan. In the 1990s, Ypsilanti became the first city in Michigan to pass a living wage ordinance.

On July 23, 2007, Governor Jennifer Granholm announced that Ypsilanti, along with Caro and Clio, was chosen by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to join the Blueprints for Michigan's Downtowns program. This program provides an economic development consultant to help Ypsilanti create a growth and job strategy for its downtown area.

On June 23, 2020, Mayor Beth Bashert resigned after making a controversial comment about race during a Zoom meeting.

• 1929 – Miller Motors Hudson opens. It later becomes the last Hudson dealership in the world.
• 1931 – McKenny Union opens as the first student union on the campus of a teachers' college.
• 1937 – American jazz musician Nat King Cole married singer and dancer Nadine Robinson at a private home on 370 First Avenue. The couple met while performing in the musical revue Shuffle Along.
• 1939–mid-1940s – Phyllis Diller lived at 215 ½ Oakwood Street in Ypsilanti while her husband worked at the Willow Run bomber plant. She sang in the Presbyterian Church choir and performed at community events. She also created early comedic routines about neighborhood life, which she later used in her professional acts.
• 1967–1969 – Ypsilanti resident John Norman Collins was linked to the Michigan Murders, a series of killings targeting female students at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University. He was

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of 4.47 square miles (11.58 km²), with 4.29 square miles (11.11 km²) being land and 0.18 square miles (0.47 km²) (4.02%) being water.

The Huron River flows through Ypsilanti, and Ford Lake is located on the southern edge of the city. Paint Creek also flows through the city. The Border-to-Border Trail passes through Ypsilanti.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population of Ypsilanti was 20,648. The median age was 27.9 years. Fourteen point six percent of residents were under the age of 18, and nine point five percent were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.1 males aged 18 and over.

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

There were 8,600 households in Ypsilanti. Eighteen point six percent of these households had children under the age of 18 living with them. Twenty point eight percent were married-couple households. Thirty-two percent were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present. Thirty-seven percent were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. Forty-three point four percent of all households were made up of individuals. Nine point one percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 9,236 housing units. Six point nine percent of these units were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3 percent, and the rental vacancy rate was 4.8 percent.

As of the 2010 census, there were 19,435 people, 8,026 households, and 2,880 families living in the city. The population density was 4,488.5 people per square mile. There were 9,271 housing units at an average density of 2,141.1 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city included 61.5% White, 29.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 3.4% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 4.3% from two or more races. Three point nine percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino residents of any race.

There were 8,026 households. Eighteen point four percent had children under the age of 18 living with them. Nineteen point seven percent were married couples living together. Twelve point one percent had a female householder with no husband present. Four percent had a male householder with no wife present. Sixty-four point one percent were non-families. Forty-two point nine percent of all households were made up of individuals. Seven point eight percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.06, and the average family size was 2.92.

The median age in the city was 25 years. Fourteen point one percent of residents were under the age of 18. Thirty-five point eight percent were between the ages of 18 and 24. Twenty-five point three percent were from 25 to 44. Sixteen point six percent were from 45 to 64. Eight point three percent were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 22,362 people, 8,551 households, and 3,377 families living in the city. The population density was 5,081.5 people per square mile. There were 9,215 housing units at an average density of 2,094.0 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city included 61.40% White, 30.58% African American, 0.44% Native American, 3.18% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.32% from other races, and 3.01% from two or more races. Two point four seven percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino residents of any race. Thirteen point six percent were of German ancestry, 6.8% Irish, 6.4% English, and 5.5% Polish heritage.

There were 8,551 households. Nineteen point two percent had children under the age of 18 living with them. Twenty-three percent were married couples living together. Thirteen point two percent had a female householder with no husband present. Sixty point five percent were non-families. Forty point four percent of all households were made up of individuals. Six point two percent had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15, and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, 15.9% of the population was under the age of 18. Thirty-eight point two percent was from 18 to 24. Twenty-six point four percent was from 25 to 44. Twelve point four percent was from 45 to 64. Seven percent was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,610. The median income for a family was $40,793. Males had a median income of $30,328,

Arts and culture

The Martha Washington Theatre opened in 1915. Florence W. Signor operated the theatre at first and was the only woman theatre operator in Michigan during that time. In 1925, the theatre was sold to W. S. Butterfield Theatres. In 1971, the theatre was changed to an adult venue. In 1982, it became a strip club. The theatre closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three months later, it was damaged by a fire.

Domino's Pizza was created in Ypsilanti in 1960, near the campus of Eastern Michigan University.

In 1963, Clara Owens founded the Ypsilanti Greek Theater in Ypsilanti, Michigan. This theater was used for performances of Greek plays.

Summer festivals in Depot Town include the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, Michigan ElvisFest, the Orphan Car Festival, the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival, and a Latino festival.

The Riverside Arts Center was established in 1994. It has a 115-seat black box theater and an art gallery.

Since 2013, Ypsilanti has taken part in First Fridays, a monthly event that highlights local artists, food, and drinks through a self-guided tour of businesses.

Ypsi Pride was created in 2017.

Interesting places in Ypsilanti include:

• Ypsilanti District Library
• Ypsilanti Historical Museum (located in a Victorian mansion built in 1860)
• Automotive Heritage Museum
• Michigan Firehouse Museum
• Ypsilanti Water Tower, built in 1890 and described as Phallic architecture
• Ypsilanti Food Co-op
• Highland Cemetery, founded in 1864
• Pease Auditorium, built in 1914 (on the campus of Eastern Michigan University)
• Starkweather Hall, built in 1896 as a student religious center
• Peninsular Paper Dam
• Ladies' Literary Club Building, built around 1843
• Brinkerhoff–Becker House, built between 1863 and 1869
• The Tridge, a three-way wooden footbridge
• Ypsilanti Historic District, the second largest connected historic district in Michigan.

Parks and recreation

Parks and recreation centers include:

• Border-to-Border Trail
• Prospect Park
• Riverside Park, where events like the Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, Michigan ElvisFest, and Michigan Summer Beer Festival take place
• Frog Island Park
• Rutherford Municipal Pool

Government

The Ypsilanti City Council has a mayor and six council members who are elected from three voting wards. The city uses a council–manager government system. The mayor is named Nicole Brown.

Education

Ypsilanti Community Schools provide education to residents of the city, as well as parts of Ypsilanti Township and Superior Township. Ypsilanti Public Schools and Willow Run Community Schools combined to create a single school district on July 1, 2013. Charter schools in the city include Arbor Preparatory High School.

The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study, which examined how preschool education affects the future of low-income children, took place in Ypsilanti.

Ypsilanti is a college town and is home to Eastern Michigan University, which was established in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School. In 2025, Eastern Michigan University had more than 10,000 undergraduate students and over 2,000 graduate students.

Washtenaw Community College operates an off-site extension center in Ypsilanti.

Media

Ypsilanti receives daily newspapers from Detroit. Ypsilanti once had its own daily newspaper, the Ypsilanti Press, but that newspaper closed on June 28, 1994, after operating for 90 years. After closing, the Press sold its masthead, archives, and subscriber list to The Ann Arbor News, which then began publishing an Ypsilanti edition. The Ann Arbor News stopped publishing on July 23, 2009, and was replaced by an Internet-based news operation called AnnArbor.com, which also produces print editions on Thursdays and Sundays. A weekly newspaper, the Ypsilanti Courier, is published every Thursday by Heritage Media from their Saline, Michigan, offices. The only newspaper currently operating in Ypsilanti is Eastern Michigan University's independent newspaper, The Eastern Echo.

Local radio stations include:

• WEMU FM – public radio
• WQBR – EMU's student-run radio
• WDEO – religious radio
• WSDS – Spanish-language
• WAAM – talk and news

• The 2009 film Whip It was partially filmed in Ypsilanti.
• The 2010 film Stone was partially filmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
• The 2012 film The Five-Year Engagement was filmed in downtown Ypsilanti and surrounding areas.
• The 2013 romantic drama Love and Honor includes scenes shot in Ypsilanti.
• The 2017 film Three Christs includes establishing shots of Michigan Avenue and the water tower.

Infrastructure

• I-94
• US 12 (Michigan Avenue)
• Business US 12
• M-17 (Washtenaw Avenue)

Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti’s airport, is located on the east side of the city. It is a general aviation airport managed by the Wayne County Airport Authority, the same group that manages Detroit’s main airport.

• The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority provides bus routes that stop at the Ypsilanti Transit Center.

Notable people

• Blanch Ackers – folk artist and painter
• Ella Anderson – actress known for playing Piper Hart, the overreactive sister of Henry on Henry Danger
• Nickolas Ashford – songwriter and singer in the duo Ashford & Simpson
• BabyTron – rapper
• Samiya Bashir – poet and author, born in Ypsilanti
• Mike Bass – NFL player, defensive back for the Detroit Lions (1967) and Washington Redskins (1969–1975), scored a touchdown during Super Bowl VII
• Walter Briggs Sr. – owner of the Detroit Tigers from 1919–1952, born in Ypsilanti
• John Burton (1910–1992) – first African-American mayor of a city in Michigan and one of three African-American mayors elected in 1967, before which no African-American mayors had served in the state
• Emor L. Calkins – led the Michigan Woman’s Christian Temperance Union for 25 years
• Jalen Chatfield – professional ice hockey player
• Byron M. Cutcheon – American Civil War general and U.S. Congressman
• Brandon Denson – professional Canadian Football League player who plays defensive end for the Ottawa Redblacks
• Amy Devers – furniture designer and TV personality (Freeform Furniture, Designer People, Trading Spaces, Fix This Yard, Home Made Simple)
• Ron Fernandes – American football player
• Adam Gase – former head coach of the New York Jets
• Kyle Gupton – basketball player
• Rodney Holman – NFL player, tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals (1982–1992) and the Detroit Lions (1993–1995)
• Jaylen Johnson (born 1996) – basketball player for Hapoel Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League
• Zeke Jones – Olympic wrestler
• Doug Kalitta – racing driver and owner of Kalitta Charters
• Colby Keller – visual artist, blogger, and actor in adult films
• Mike Kennedy – U.S. Congressman, raised in Ypsilanti and attended Ypsilanti High School
• Charles S. Kettles – retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and Medal of Honor recipient
• Carolyn King – one of the first girls to play Little League baseball; central figure in a 1973 lawsuit that led to Little League ending its boys-only policy
• Janae Marie Kroc – record-setting powerlifter and transgender model
• Alfred Lucking – U.S. Congressman
• Helen Walker McAndrew (1825–1906) – first female physician in Washtenaw County and helped people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad
• William McAndrew (1863–1937) – educator who led Chicago Public Schools
• Elijah McCoy – inventor and helped people escape slavery through the Underground Railroad in Ypsilanti
• Shara Nova – lead singer and songwriter for My Brightest Diamond
• K. J. Osborn – NFL player, wide receiver for the Washington Commanders
• Russell C. Ostrander – former mayor of Lansing and Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court
• Frank Owen – pitcher for the 1906 World Series champion Chicago White Sox
• Lowell Perry – NFL football player, first African American hired as an assistant coach in the NFL
• Iggy Pop – rock star known as the “Godfather of Punk,” grew up in the Coachville trailer park on Carpenter Road in Pittsfield Township (near Ypsilanti) during his teenage years
• Queen Naija – American R&B singer and YouTuber active from the 2010s through the 2020s; became famous through social media and reality television before achieving success in R&B
• Charles Ramsey – former head coach of the Eastern Michigan Eagles men’s basketball team; played baseball, basketball, and football for Ypsilanti High School
• Victor Roache – left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers
• Bob Schneider – American singer-songwriter active from the 1990s through the 2010s, known for pop/rock and roots rock music; worked with bands like The Ugly Americans
• Don Schwall – former MLB player for the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Atlanta Braves
• Dax Shepard – actor, born in Ypsilanti
• Ryan Shay (1979–2007) – long-distance runner
• Michael Joseph Sobran Jr. – known professionally as Joseph Sobran, conservative writer and syndicated columnist
• Bob Sutton – defensive coordinator for the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets; head coach for Army from 1991–1999
• Marie Tharp (1920–2006) – geologist who helped scientists understand plate tectonics and continental drift
• Preston Tucker (1903–1956) – automobile entrepreneur who owned the Ypsilanti Tool & Dye Company
• Edwin F. Uhl – mayor of Grand Rapids, ambassador, and U.S. Secretary of State