Flat Rock, Michigan

For the Flat Rock in Delta County, see Escanaba, Michigan.

City in Michigan, United States

Flat Rock, Michigan

City

Flat Rock Municipal Building

Seal

Location within Wayne County and the state of Michigan

Flat Rock

Show map of Michigan

Flat Rock

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Coordinates: 42°06′07″N 83°16′22″W﻿ / ﻿42.10194°N 83.27278°W﻿ / 42.10194; -83.27278
Country| United States
State| Michigan
Counties| Wayne; Monroe
Incorporated| 1923 (village)
1965 (city)
Government

• Type| Mayor–council
• Mayor| Mark Hammond
• Clerk| Shane Anne Harrison
Area

[1]

• Total| 6.71 sq mi (17.37 km2)
• Land| 6.57 sq mi (17.01 km2)
• Water| 0.14 sq mi (0.36 km2)
Elevation

| 597 ft (182 m)
Population

(2020)[2]

• Total| 10,541
• Density| 1,604.90/sq mi (619.61/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code|

48134
48173 (Rockwood)

Area code| 734
FIPS code| 26-28360[3]
GNIS feature ID| 0626146[4]
Website| www.flatrockmi.org

Flat Rock is a city in Wayne County, Michigan, United States, with a small portion of the city extending into Monroe County. At the 2020 census, the population was 10,541.[2]

## History

[edit]

Flat Rock began as a Wyandot settlement. It was later designated as a reservation for the Wyandot, and still functioned as such in 1830.[5]

The first European-American settlers in Flat Rock were Michael Vreeland and his five grown sons between 1811 and 1820. Vreeland had been captured by British Rangers during the Revolutionary War and released after American independence. The family purchased 800 acres (3.2 km2). The town was called the "Village of Vreeland" until 1838, when the Vreeland family sold off most of the land and relinquished control of the area. The Vreeland families built the first grain and lumber mill, having brought the grinding stones from New York. Descendants of Michael Vreeland still live in the town and attend Flat Rock public schools, being the seventh generation to reside in the town their family founded.[citation needed]

The first mention of any settlers in the area later to become Flat Rock was made by a French priest, Father Jean Dilhet. In describing his parish in 1798 he included "Grosse Roche", referring to a settlement named after the outcropping of limestone rock on the south side of the Huron River.

In 1818, a land office opened in Detroit, and Soloman Sibley purchased 330.93 acres (1.3392 km2) of land. In 1824 it was sold to Michael and Jacob Vreeland. Vreeland and Smooth Rock villages were platted on part of this acreage. At this time there were Huron, Seneca, and Wyandot Indian villages in the area.

With the Erie Canal opening in 1825, many people, especially from New York, came to Michigan to settle. By 1828 the village had four stores, two saw mills, a wool carding mill, a flour mill, and 250 inhabitants - serving as a center mainly for farmers who lived in the area immediately surrounding the settlement.

The village of Flat Rock was platted and recorded in 1838 by the Gibraltar and Flat Rock Land Co. They were attempting to build a canal to connect Lake Erie with Lake Michigan. This effort ultimately failed.

Henry Ford was attracted to the water power of the Huron River, and in 1925 he established the Ford Motor Company Lamp Factory along its banks. The Flat Rock Dam was constructed to provide hydroelectricity to the factory.

The area was incorporated as a village in 1923 and as a city in 1965.

From the 1930s until the early 1960s an airport was located in Flat Rock. The grass airfield was known as Nan-Bar Airport, named for the owner's two daughters, Nancy and Barbara. During World War II, Nan-Bar Airport served as an accessory airfield for Naval Air Station Grosse Ile. Navy pilots used the airfield for short field landing instruction, as well as for emergency landings.[6]

In 2021, Ford Motor Company dumped benzene into the city sewer system, causing 1,100 people to evacuate their homes.[7]

## Geography

[edit]

Flat Rock is in southern Wayne County, but a very small portion of the city lies to the south in Monroe County, because the border along the Huron River follows the course of the river in 1923, the year Flat Rock was incorporated as a village. At the time, the river had two meanders, but they have since been filled in.[citation needed] The city is bordered to the northeast by Woodhaven, to the southeast by Rockwood, and to the south, across the Huron River in Monroe County, by South Rockwood.

U.S. Route 24 (Telegraph Road) passes through the center of Flat Rock, leading north 14 miles (23 km) to the western part of Dearborn and southwest the same distance to Monroe. Interstate 75 runs along the eastern border of Flat Rock, with direct access from Exit 29 (Gibraltar Road). I-75 leads northeast 21 miles (34 km) to Detroit and southwest 35 miles (56 km) to Toledo, Ohio.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Flat Rock has a total area of 6.71 square miles (17.38 km2), of which 6.57 square miles (17.02 km2) are land and 0.14 square miles (0.36 km2), or 2.06%, are water.[8]

The city is listed by the U.S. Census Bureau as belonging to both Wayne County and Monroe County. In the 2010 census, the city is listed as having a total land area of 6.67 square miles (17.28 km2), while mentioning no measurable land area or population statistics within Monroe County. However, the city is still listed in several categories as being part of Monroe County.[9] The official Flat Rock city website also mentions the city's boundaries extending into Monroe County.[10]

Flat Rock has a higher overall tornado average than the state of Michigan as a whole, and a 40% greater average than the United States as a whole.[11] Two F4 tornadoes have hit Flat Rock—one in 1956 and another in 1965 resulting in 23 deaths and over 300 injuries.[citation needed]

## Economy

[edit]

In December 2019 Flat Rock had an unemployment rate of 6.5%, higher than the US average of 3.7%. Per capita income in Flat Rock was $27,549, below the US average of $31,177. The average household income was $63,375, above the US average of $57,652. The family median income was $76,481, above the US average of $70,850.[12]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1880| 373| | —
1930| 1,231| | —
1940| 1,467| | 19.2%
1950| 1,931| | 31.6%
1960| 4,696| | 143.2%
1970| 5,643| | 20.2%
1980| 6,853| | 21.4%
1990| 7,290| | 6.4%
2000| 8,488| | 16.4%
2010| 9,878| | 16.4%
2020| 10,541| | 6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[13][14]

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the census[15] of 2010, there were 9,878 people, 3,754 households, and 2,684 families living in the city. The population density was 1,512.7 inhabitants per square mile (584.1/km2). There were 3,995 housing units at an average density of 611.8 per square mile (236.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White, 4.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.4% of the population.

There were 3,754 households, of which 38.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.5% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.10.

The median age in the city was 36.9 years. 27.4% of residents were under 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 27.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 8,488 people, 3,181 households, and 2,306 families living in the city. The population density was 1,266.9 inhabitants per square mile (489.2/km2). There were 3,291 housing units at an average density of 491.2 per square mile (189.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.32% White, 1.43% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.64% from other races, and 1.65% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.70% of the population.

There were 3,181 households, out of which 39.8% had children under 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 16.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.

The population was spread out in the city, with 29.3% under 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $44,084, and the median income for a family was $54,186. Males had a median income of $43,967 versus $27,348 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,256. About 8.5% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 4.8% of those age 65 or over.

## Notable people

[edit]

* Dann Florek, actor[16]
* Fred Gladding, Major League Baseball pitcher

## Education

[edit]

Flat Rock is served by Flat Rock Community Schools.

## See also

[edit]

* Michigan portal

## References

[edit]

Specific

1. ^ "2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
2. ^ a b "P1. Race – Flat Rock city, Michigan: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
3. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
4. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Flat Rock, Michigan
5. ^ Helen Hornbeck Tanner. Atlas of Great Lakes Indian History. (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1987) p. 134
6. ^ "History of Flat Rock".
7. ^ "Flat Rock benzene leak prompts precautionary evacuations for 1,100 homes". 7 September 2021.
8. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
9. ^ "Michigan: 2010 Population and Housing Unit Counts 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). 2010 United States Census. United States Census Bureau. September 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved February 29, 2020.
10. ^ City of Flat Rock (2020). "City of Flat Rock – Demographics: Geography". Retrieved March 3, 2020.
11. ^ "Flat Rock, Michigan (MI 48134, 48173) profile: population, maps, real estate, averages, homes, statistics, relocation, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, moving, houses, news, sex offenders". www.city-data.com. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
12. ^ "Economy in Flat Rock, Michigan". Retrieved December 26, 2019.
13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
14. ^ "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Flat Rock city, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 6, 2011.
15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
16. ^ Rose, Judy (1 December 1988). "ROXANNE'S BEAU IS A LEADING MAN IN REAL LIFE". chicagotribune.com. Knight-Ridder. Retrieved 17 September 2018.

General

* Fucini, Joseph J. (2008). Working for the Japanese. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 9781439106488.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Flat Rock Downtown Development Authority
* Flat Rock Historical Society

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Flat Rock, Michigan

| Huron Charter Township | Brownstown Charter Township, Woodhaven | Trenton

|
|

|  |

Flat Rock

| Gibraltar
|  |
Ash Township | Rockwood
Berlin Charter Township, South Rockwood | Brownstown Charter Township

* v
* t
* e

Downriver communities – Wayne County, Michigan

Cities|

* Allen Park
* Ecorse
* Flat Rock‡
* Gibraltar
* Lincoln Park
* Melvindale
* River Rouge
* Riverview
* Rockwood
* Romulus
* Southgate
* Taylor
* Trenton
* Woodhaven
* Wyandotte

Charter townships|

* Brownstown
* Huron

Civil township|

* Grosse Ile

Unincorporated
communities|

* Cherry Island
* East Rockwood
* Grosse Ile
* Maple Beach
* Milleville Beach
* New Boston
* Waltz
* Willow

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Monroe County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Monroe

Cities|

* Flat Rock‡
* Luna Pier
* Milan‡
* Monroe
* Petersburg

Map of Michigan highlighting Monroe County

Villages|

* Carleton
* Dundee
* Estral Beach
* Maybee
* South Rockwood

Charter townships|

* Berlin
* Frenchtown
* Monroe

Civil townships|

* Ash
* Bedford
* Dundee
* Erie
* Exeter
* Ida
* La Salle
* London
* Milan
* Raisinville
* Summerfield
* Whiteford

CDPs|

* Detroit Beach
* Ida
* Lambertville
* South Monroe
* Stony Point
* Temperance
* West Monroe
* Woodland Beach

Other
communities|

* Avalon Beach
* Azalia
* Bolles Harbor
* Cone
* Diann
* Erie
* Evergreen Acres
* Exeter
* Golfcrest
* Grand View
* Grape
* Hillcrest Orchard
* Ida Center
* La Salle
* Liberty Corners
* London
* Lulu
* Newport
* North Shores
* Oakville
* Oldport
* Ottawa
* Ottawa Lake
* Patterson Gardens
* Petersburg Junction
* Pointe aux Peaux
* Rea
* Saint Anthony
* Samaria
* Scofield
* Steiner
* Stony Creek
* Strasburg
* Vienna
* Vienna Junction
* Whiteford Center
* Yargerville

Ghost towns|

* Alexis
* Athlone
* Briar Hill
* Brest
* Clark City
* East Exeter
* East Raisinville
* Federman
* Gert
* Greening
* Havre
* Little Lake
* Hamlin
* Loranger
* Morocco
* North Raisinville
* Pleasant View
* Raisinville
* Toledo Beach
* Vistula
* Whiteford
* Winchester

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Michigan portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Wayne County, Michigan, United States

County seat: Detroit

Cities|

* Allen Park
* Belleville
* Dearborn
* Dearborn Heights
* Detroit
* Ecorse
* Flat Rock‡
* Garden City
* Gibraltar
* Grosse Pointe
* Grosse Pointe Farms
* Grosse Pointe Park
* Grosse Pointe Shores‡
* Grosse Pointe Woods
* Hamtramck
* Harper Woods
* Highland Park
* Inkster
* Lincoln Park
* Livonia
* Melvindale
* Northville‡
* Plymouth
* River Rouge
* Riverview
* Rockwood
* Romulus
* Southgate
* Taylor
* Trenton
* Wayne
* Westland
* Woodhaven
* Wyandotte

Map of Michigan highlighting Wayne County

Charter townships|

* Brownstown
* Canton
* Huron
* Northville
* Plymouth
* Redford
* Van Buren

Civil townships|

* Grosse Ile
* Sumpter

Unincorporated
communities|

* Beech
* Belleville North
* Canton
* Cherry Hill
* Cherry Island
* Denton
* East Rockwood
* Edgewater Heights
* French Landing
* Grand View Acres
* Grosse Ile
* Maple Beach
* Martinsville
* Milleville Beach
* New Boston
* Rawsonville‡
* Redford
* Roulo
* Sheldon
* Waltz
* West Sumpter
* Willow

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Michigan portal
* United States portal

* v
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Metro Detroit

Topics|

* Architecture
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Detroit|

* Downtown Detroit
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Municipalities
over 80,000|

* Canton Township
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* Farmington Hills
* Livonia
* Macomb Township
* Sterling Heights
* Troy
* Warren
* Westland

Municipalities
40,000 to 80,000|

* Bloomfield Township
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* Dearborn Heights
* Grosse Pointe
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Cultural
enclaves|

* Ann Arbor
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Satellite cities|

* Ann Arbor
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* Howell
* Lapeer
* Monroe
* Port Huron
* Toledo
* Windsor
* Ypsilanti

Counties in MSA|

* Lapeer
* Livingston
* Macomb
* Oakland
* St. Clair
* Wayne

Counties in CSA|

* Genesee
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* Monroe
* Washtenaw

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Authority control databases

International|

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National|

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Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

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