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Moving to Melvindale, Michigan

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Melvindale, Michigan is located in the southwestern part of Wayne County and is bordered by Dearborn and Lincoln Park. The city has a population of 10,715 people as of 2019. The geography of Melvindale consists mostly of residential neighborhoods with some commercial areas located near the main thoroughfares. The climate in Melvindale is typical of the Midwest with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid while winters are cold and snowy.

The history of Melvindale dates back to 1891 when it was incorporated as a village. It was originally called “Ford City” after Henry Ford who had built the Rouge Plant nearby. In 1952, it was renamed to Melvindale after two prominent local families, Melvin and Dale.

Politics in Melvindale are dominated by the Democratic Party which holds a majority on the City Council since 2018. The mayor is elected every four years by popular vote.

The economy of Melvindale is largely based on small businesses such as auto repair shops, restaurants, and other services that cater to local residents and those working in nearby Detroit or Dearborn Heights.

Schools in Melvindale are part of the Southgate Community School District which includes seven elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and an adult education center.

Notable landmarks in Melvindale include the historic Rouge Plant, Fordson High School Auditorium (which hosts many community events), Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church (the oldest church building in town), and various public parks such as Miller Park and Veterans Memorial Park.

Population: 10,735. Estimated population in July 2024: 10,612 (-1.1% change)
Males: 5,262 (49.0%), Females: 5,473 (51.0%)

Wayne County

Zip code: 48122

Demographics

Median resident age: 35.7 years
Median household income: $37,954
Median house value: $78,500

Population by Race

Races in Melvindale:

  • White Non-Hispanic (81.7%)
  • Hispanic (8.9%)
  • Black (5.3%)
  • Two or more races (2.9%)
  • Other race (2.4%)
  • American Indian (1.8%)
  • Asian Indian (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: German (15.9%), Irish (12.0%), Polish (10.3%), English (6.6%), Italian (6.6%), French (5.2%).

Land area: 2.8 square miles

Map of Melvindale, MI

Population by Education

Melvindale, Michigan is a city located in Wayne County along the Detroit River. According to the most recent census, the population of Melvindale was 8,741 people as of July 2019. The racial makeup of Melvindale is 83.2% African American, 13.5% White, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% Native American and 2% from other races. The median household income for residents of Melvindale was $28,981 in 2018 and the median age of residents was 36 years old.

Melvindale is a relatively small city with an overall population density of 5,844 people per square mile which is significantly lower than the state average density of 948 people per square mile. The majority of the population lives in single-family homes or apartment complexes and there are several large parks and recreational areas that provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as biking and hiking trails as well as public beaches along Lake Erie just outside town limits. There are four elementary schools within Melvindale city limits and two high schools located nearby in neighboring cities that serve the area’s students. In addition to traditional educational offerings, there are also several universities offering online courses for those seeking higher education without having to relocate away from home or commute long distances to class.

For population 25 years and over in Melvindale

  • High school or higher: 71.9%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 5.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.2%
  • Unemployed: 7.1%
  • Mean travel time to work: 21.3 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Melvindale city

  • Never married: 28.3%
  • Now married: 45.0%
  • Separated: 1.8%
  • Widowed: 8.6%
  • Divorced: 16.2%

6.2% Foreign born (2.3% Europe, 2.2% Asia, 1.4% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: -438 (-3.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Melvindale:

  • KINDRED HOSPITAL – DETROIT (about 3 miles; LINCOLN PARK, MI)
  • OAKWOOD HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTER (about 4 miles; DEARBORN, MI)
  • HENRY FORD WYANDOTTE HOSPITAL (about 6 miles; WYANDOTTE, MI)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Melvindale:

  • DETROIT METROPOLITAN WAYNE COUNTY (about 13 miles; DETROIT, MI; Abbreviation: DTW)
  • DETROIT CITY (about 15 miles; DETROIT, MI; Abbreviation: DET)
  • WILLOW RUN (about 24 miles; DETROIT, MI; Abbreviation: YIP)

Other public-use airports nearest to Melvindale:

  • COBO HALL (about 11 miles; DETROIT, MI; Abbreviation: 84G)
  • GROSSE ILE MUNI (about 14 miles; DETROIT/GROSSE ILE, MI; Abbreviation: ONZ)
  • OAKLAND/TROY (about 18 miles; TROY, MI; Abbreviation: 7D2)

Amtrak stations near Melvindale:

  • 3 miles: DEARBORN (16121 MICHIGAN AVE.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, vending machines, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand.
  • 5 miles: GREENFIELD VILLAGE (DEARBORN, 20900 OAKWOOD BLVD.)
  • 10 miles: DETROIT (11 W. BALTIMORE AVE.). Services: ticket office, partially wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, call for car rental service, taxi stand, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Melvindale:

  • DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY-EASTERN REGION-DEARBORN (about 4 miles; DEARBORN, MI; Full-time enrollment: 2,247)
  • HENRY FORD COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 7 miles; DEARBORN, MI; Full-time enrollment: 6,572)
  • UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN-DEARBORN (about 7 miles; DEARBORN, MI; Full-time enrollment: 5,574)
  • WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY (about 10 miles; DETROIT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 20,389)
  • WAYNE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (about 10 miles; DETROIT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 4,414)
  • MARYGROVE COLLEGE (about 11 miles; DETROIT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 5,301)
  • UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT MERCY (about 11 miles; DETROIT, MI; Full-time enrollment: 4,119)

Schools

Public high school in Melvindale:

  • MELVINDALE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 748; Location: 18656 PROSPECT STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Melvindale:

  • JULIAN O. STRONG MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 672; Location: 3303 OAKWOOD BOULEVARD; Grades: 06 – 08)
  • RICHARD D. EVANS SCHOOL (Students: 287; Location: 17415 ROBERT STREET; Grades: 01 – 05)
  • PALMER SCHOOL (Students: 237; Location: 19001 PALMER STREET; Grades: 02 – 05)

Private primary/middle school in Melvindale:

  • ST MARY MAGDALEN SCHOOL (Students: 310; Location: 19625 WOOD; Grades: PK – 8)

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