Everything About Farmington Hills, Michigan

History

Farmington Hills has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century when it was first settled by European immigrants. The area was originally inhabited by the Potawatomi Native American tribe prior to American settlement. In 1823, Arthur Power purchased 160 acres of land from the federal government for $1.25 per acre. This parcel encompassed much of what is now downtown Farmington Hills. Power built the first grain mill and distillery in the settlement that same year.

Other settlers soon followed Power’s lead, establishing homesteads and farms throughout the countryside. Most of the early residents were English, Irish and German immigrants looking for a better life. The fertile soil and abundance of streams and rivers made it an ideal location for farming.

In 1827, the Troy and Rochester Plank Road was constructed through the area, connecting Detroit and Pontiac. This spurred further development, with several inns and taverns opening up along the route to serve travelers. A post office was established in 1828, officially marking the founding of Farmington Hills.

For most of the 19th century, Farmington Hills remained a small farming community. The economy was largely based around agriculture, with wheat, hay, corn and apples as the main crops. Saw and grist mills harnessed the power of the many streams to process lumber and grain. The population grew slowly but steadily, reaching just over 1,000 residents by the late 1800s.

In the early 20th century, the automobile industry began transforming Farmington Hills and the surrounding Detroit metro area. The population boom brought more development, with general stores, churches, schools and other civic institutions established to serve the growing community. During World War II, many residents went to work in defense plants, further diversifying the local economy.

After the war, Farmington Hills began transitioning from an agricultural town to a suburban community. The construction of I-696 and other highways in the 1950s opened the area to commuters. Subdivisions and shopping centers replaced many family farms as the population skyrocketed. Farmington Hills was incorporated as a city in 1973 in response to this rapid growth and development.

Today, Farmington Hills is a thriving and diverse suburban city with over 80,000 residents. While no longer reliant on agriculture, the community celebrates its farming heritage through events like the annual Founders Festival. The city has successfully balanced commercial and residential development with preserving its natural resources and small-town charm.

Geography

Farmington Hills is located in southeastern Michigan, approximately 20 miles northwest of downtown Detroit. The city has a total area of 33.31 square miles, of which 33.28 square miles is land and 0.03 square miles is water.

Farmington Hills is situated on a plateau characterized by rolling hills and valleys, carved out long ago by glaciers. Parts of the city have quite hilly terrain, with elevations ranging from 850 to 1,050 feet above sea level. The Rouge River flows through the southwest corner of Farmington Hills and is one of the city’s key watersheds.

The city has a variety of natural features and conservation areas that provide habitat to wildlife and opportunities for outdoor recreation. Woodlands, wetlands and creek systems make up over 40% of the land within Farmington Hills. Popular nature areas include the 362-acre Drakeshire Apartments preserve and the Leelanau Conservancy’s Leelanau Outdoor Center.

Neighborhoods in Farmington Hills vary from densely populated subdivisions to estate residential with larger lots. Downtown Farmington serves as the historic heart of the community and features a vibrant business district. Commercial corridors along Grand River Avenue, Orchard Lake Road and other major routes provide shopping and services for local residents and visitors.

Farmington Hills shares borders with several surrounding communities including Farmington and Livonia to the east, Novi to the north, and West Bloomfield Township to the west. The city has convenient access to freeways including I-696, I-275, and M-5 which connect it to the greater metro Detroit region.

Geology

The geology of Farmington Hills is characterized by glacial formations and bedrock deposited hundreds of millions of years ago. The city lies within the Michigan Basin, an ancient depressed area covered by layers of sedimentary rocks.

During the Pleistocene epoch, massive glaciers advanced and retreated across Michigan, scouring away soil and rock and leaving behind thick deposits of gravel, sand, clay and boulders. This continental glaciation shaped the current landscape and terrain of Farmington Hills about 18,000 years ago.

The city’s bedrock base consists of shale, limestone and dolomite deposited during the Mississippian and Pennsylvanian periods some 320 to 360 million years ago. These sedimentary rocks formed from ancient marine environments including shallow seas that once covered the Michigan Basin.

On top of the bedrock foundation, Farmington Hills has surficial glacial deposits up to 400 feet thick in some areas. These materials include clay, silt, sand, gravel and boulders transported by the moving ice sheets. Meltwater from the glaciers also left coarse-grained outwash deposits and fine-grained lakeplain sediments.

Unique geological features found in Farmington Hills include kettle lakes, eskers and moraines. Kettles are depressions formed when buried glacial ice blocks melted and left holes that later filled with water. Eskers are winding ridges created by streams under the glaciers. Moraines are hilly areas marking the farthest extent of a glacier’s advance.

This glacial legacy has provided Farmington Hills with rich soils, rolling topography, gravel resources, and interconnected lakes and wetlands that serve an important ecological function today. The city’s creek systems and municipal well fields tap into the area’s abundant groundwater resources. Understanding the underlying geology is key for development and environmental management.

Neighborhoods

Farmington Hills contains a diverse collection of neighborhoods and subdivisions that offer housing opportunities for residents of all ages and income levels. Here is an overview of some of the major neighborhoods in the city:

Downtown Farmington: The historic downtown district features Victorian homes, specialty shops, restaurants, offices, and a park along the River Rouge. Monthly art fairs and other community events are held here.

Warner Farms: One of the city’s earliest planned subdivisions, Warner Farms has modest Cape Cod, ranch, and colonial homes built from the 1940s to 1960s. It has a centrally located public school.

Brookdale: Larger upscale homes on acre lots built from the 1960s to 1980s characterize this neighborhood. Winding roads and natural features give it a private, secluded feel. The Brookdale Nature Preserve is a prominent landmark.

Power and Halsted: This central neighborhood has a range of housing from small starter homes to larger executive colonials.easy access to schools, parks, and shopping makes it popular with families.

Grand River Corridor: Along Grand River Avenue are commercial centers, high-rise offices and multifamily apartment complexes. Adjacent neighborhoods include many cultural institutions.

Farmington Oaks: A more rural neighborhood with estates and luxury homes on wooded lots. Some properties include private stables. Prominent features include a golf course and swimming/tennis club.

Longacre: Developed in the early 2000s, Longacre has patio homes and clustered condominiums appealing to seniors and empty nesters. Community amenities include walking trails, a fitness center and social activities.

Climate

Farmington Hills has a humid continental climate typical of the Midwestern United States. The city has four distinct seasons, though there is significant variation from one year to the next.

Winters are generally cold with moderate to heavy snowfall. Daytime highs in January average around 31°F (-1°C) while lows at night drop to the mid teens (single digits Celsius). On average, the first frost comes in early October and the last in late April or early May. Annual snow accumulation averages about 40 inches. Occasional Arctic cold fronts can send temperatures below 0°F (-18°C).

Spring brings a welcome change, with more sunny days and thawing temperatures. March, April and May still see cool nights around freezing but afternoon highs reaching into the pleasant 50s and 60s Fahrenheit (teens Celsius). Rain showers are common as winter snowpack melts. Spring is short, with the last frost usually occurring in mid to late May.

Summers are warm and muggy, influenced by southerly wind patterns. Average highs are in the low 80s F (25-30°C) in June, July and August while lows at night dip to the 60s F (15-20°C). The area sees frequent thunderstorms and occasional severe weather such as hail or tornadoes. Peak summer also brings hot, humid periods with heat indices over 100°F (40°C).

Fall is a transitional time as temperatures cool off and rainfall increases. September and October still have warm days in the 70s F (20s C) but nighttime lows drop to the 40s and 50s F (single digits to teens C). The first frosts usually occur by late October. November brings colder highs in the 40s and lows at or just below freezing. Snow flurries typically start in late November.

Demographics

According to recent census estimates, Farmington Hills has a population of 81,561 residents. Key demographic facts about the city include:

• Median Age: 41.8 years old
• Households: 33,623 total households, with an average of 2.3 persons per household.
• Racial Composition: 70.4% white, 20.4% Asian, 4.5% black, 4.7% other/mixed race.
• Median Household Income: $86,927
• Education: 57.7% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Home Ownership Rate: 71% of households are owner-occupied homes while 29% rent.
• Foreign Born Population: 19.2% of residents were born outside the United States. Major immigrant groups include those of Indian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern descent.

The city has grown increasingly diverse over the past few decades. Previously over 95% white in the 1970s, Asian Indians and other immigrant groups now make up over a fifth of residents. At the same time, the city has become more affluent relative to the rest of Michigan. Farmington Hills stands out for its high educational attainment and skilled professional workforce.

Economy

Farmington Hills has a strong and diverse economy anchored by several major industries and employers. Key economic facts:

• Top Employment Sectors: Professional Services, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail.
• Major Employers: Farmington Public Schools, City of Farmington Hills, Beaumont Hospital, Robert Bosch, Farm Bureau Insurance.
• Median Household Income: $86,927 (well above state and national averages)
• Labor Force: 39,328 residents over age 16 in the labor force. 63.9% have white collar occupations.
• Unemployment Rate: 3.1% as of 2019, lower than most metro Detroit communities.

The city’s economic base includes corporate and professional offices along with advanced manufacturing and technology firms. Healthcare is a major employer through Beaumont Hospital and various clinics, imaging centers and doctors’ practices.

Retail is concentrated along major commercial corridors and in shopping centers such as the Farmington Plaza. Research and development firms are attracted by the skilled workforce and proximity to universities.

Farmington Hills serves as a regional economic center, drawing workers from across metro Detroit. The city’s central location, transportation infrastructure, educated residents and high quality of life contribute to its economic success and vitality. Ongoing efforts focus on fostering emerging industries and encouraging corporate investment.

Culture

Farmington Hills has an active and engaged community that enjoys a variety of cultural institutions, events and public amenities. Some highlights include:

• The Farmington Community Library which hosts activities for all ages including storytimes, book clubs, and computer skills classes. A vibrant Friends of the Library group supports the library through fundraising and advocacy.
• The Farmington Musicale, founded in 1931, which brings professional music and dance performances to the community through its regular concert series.
• The Founders Festival, an annual summer event that celebrates community heritage with a parade, carnival, concerts and fireworks. Cultural organizations showcase local food, dance and music.
• Public art installations scattered throughout downtown and community parks, often created by local artists and schoolchildren. Murals beautify public spaces and reflect community identity.
• The Farmington Hills Special Services Department which provides cultural programming, classes, sports, and volunteering opportunities for all ages and ability levels.
• The Hawk Woods Nature Center which educates visitors about Michigan wildlife and habitats through interactive trails, exhibits and programming.
• The Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society which collects and preserves local historical artifacts and photographs at their Johnson Research Library.
• Independent bookstores and local theaters that host author talks, poetry readings and dramatic performances.

Residents take pride in the cultural vitality of their community and can participate through art guilds, multicultural groups, restaurants featuring global cuisines, and summer concert series in the park.

Colleges and universities

Although Farmington Hills does not have any major colleges or universities within the city limits, there are numerous higher education options located nearby:

• Michigan State University has a satellite campus in Farmington Hills offering undergraduate and graduate programs including engineering, business, and computer science.
• Schoolcraft College’s main Livonia campus is just a few miles east of Farmington Hills. This community college awards two-year associate’s degrees and technical certificates in areas like healthcare, manufacturing and culinary arts.
• Madonna University is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Livonia, with over 100 academic programs at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels.
• Oakland Community College has multiple campuses sprinkled across Oakland County, including an Orchard Ridge campus in Farmington Hills. OCC offers occupational training and general education credits that transfer to four-year universities.
• The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor is considered one of the nation’s top public research universities. Farmington Hills residents willing to commute have access to UMich’s 250+ undergraduate majors.
• Wayne State University in Midtown Detroit has a medical school and 100 other academic programs. WSU partners with corporations and nonprofits throughout the region.
• Private colleges in the metro area include Lawrence Technological University in Southfield and Detroit Mercy in Northwest Detroit. There are also various for-profit and online colleges with a presence in the region.

The proximity of quality higher education gives residents of Farmington Hills tremendous opportunities for lifelong learning and professional advancement through flexible, affordable post-secondary studies close to home.

Media

As part of suburban Detroit, Farmington Hills receives media coverage from major regional television stations, newspapers, and radio outlets. Main sources of local news and information include:

Newspapers:

• The Farmington Observer and Eccentric – this community newspaper owned by Gannett covers Farmington Hills along with other Oakland County cities. It has local reporters and planning calendars along with national and wire stories.
• The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News are the two major daily papers serving all of metro Detroit. Both have steadily transitioned to more digital vs. print content.

Television News Stations:

• WXYZ Detroit (Channel 7 – ABC)
• WDIV Local 4 Detroit (Channel 4 – NBC)
• WWJ-TV CBS Detroit (Channel 62 – CBS)
• WJBK Fox 2 Detroit (Channel 2 – FOX)

Radio:

• WJR News/Talk 760 AM – a 50,000-watt regional station covering traffic, weather, sports, and lifestyle programs.
• WWJ Newsradio 950 AM – all-news CBS affiliate with local and national reports.
• 101 WRIF FM – a popular rock music station owned by Entercom Communications.
• 89X FM – alternative and modern rock music.

In addition to old-media outlets, Farmington Hills residents rely heavily on digital news sources, community email lists and social media for real-time information about their city. The town has an active presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and across the blogosphere.

Roadways

Farmington Hills enjoys excellent transportation connections via an extensive road network that ties directly into the metro Detroit freeway system. Major roadways include:

• Interstate 696 (I-696) – Also known as the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, I-696 runs east-west through the middle of Farmington Hills serving as a major cross-county artery. Four exits provide direct access from I-696 into the city.
• Grand River Avenue – A historical thoroughfare that predates European settlement, Grand River Avenue (M-5) runs east-west through downtown Farmington Hills and continues through the metro area. It is a wide 4-6 lane road with sidewalks and businesses lining it.
• Orchard Lake Road – A key north-south route carrying SR-16 through western portions of the city. It connects to I-696 and provides access to shopping centers and subdivisions.
• Inkster Road – Runs north-south parallel to Middlebelt Road on the eastern side of Farmington Hills. Part of Historical Michigan Highway 102, it connects to both I-696 and I-96.
• 12 Mile Road – Forms part of the Metro Detroit Mile Road System that creates a grid across the region. Roughly bisects Farmington Hills east-west and has bike lanes for its entire path through the city.
• 14 Mile Road – Limits the northern boundary of Farmington Hills and provides access to adjacent communities like Novi and West Bloomfield Township.

Local and county road departments maintain Farmington Hills’ roads for safety and mobility. Traffic management centers monitor traffic flow using sensors and cameras to spot problems. Ongoing infrastructure projects help address congestion in high-traffic areas.

Major Landmarks

Farmington Hills has various landmarks and points of interest that reflect the city’s culture and heritage:

• The Governor Warner Mansion is a historic 27-room home built in the 1920s for Michigan governor Fred Warner. It is open to the public as a museum run by the non-profit Friends of Governor Warner Mansion organization.
• The Longacre House, constructed in 1847, is the oldest known surviving building in Farmington Hills. The Greek revival home is operated by the Farmington Historical Society as a living history museum.
• St. Fabian Catholic Church’s tower and steeple have long served as a visual landmark along 12 Mile and Farmington Roads. Its parish dates back to the early 1900s.
• The Farmington Musicale has brought world-class performances and arts education to the community since 1931. Their concerts take place at the Farmington Players Barn theater.
• Heritage Park’s Riley Archway framed by stones from historic local homesteads pays homage to Farmington Hills’ farming origins. The park also has vintage buildings showcasing 19th century trades.
• Hawk Woods Nature Center features hands-on nature exhibits and habitat dioramas allowing visitors to get up close with Michigan wildlife. A tree canopy walk and wildlife viewing platforms are highlights.
• Arthur Power Park marks the site of the city’s first business and home. A monument honors the pioneering founder, and the park preserves green space along the scenic River Rouge.
• The 47th District Courthouse opened in 2005 as the new home of Michigan’s district courts, consolidating several previous locations. The modern justice center contains five courtrooms.
• The Farmington Plaza shopping center has been a commercial anchor in the community since 1955. Generations of residents have come to shop, dine and gather there.
• Beaumont Hospital provides premier specialized medical care to the region. Opened in 1953, major renovations and expansions have kept the hospital on the leading edge of healthcare innovation and technology.
• The Farmington Hills Ice Arena is a popular public skating rink and hub for youth hockey activities. The facility offers skating lessons, recreational open skates and skate rentals.
• The Farmington Hills Police Department headquarters, with its signature blue stone facade, reflects the city’s commitment to public safety. The building opened in 2010 and consolidated police operations.
• The elegant Hillwood Estate serves as a cultural center for eduction programs and art exhibits. Originally the home of automotive heir Fred Stillman, its gardens and architecture create a serene oasis in the city.