Evidence for Case Study - Detroit

Location

Hamtramck is a city surrounded by Detroit, in the state of Michigan, USA. The city covers an area of 5.4km². North East of North America.

When was Hamtramck formed and how many people?

1901, 500ppl becoming industrial hub

When was Dodge Brothers company founded and population then?

1910 company founded (endo), 3,500 population mostly german farmers

When and where was this from ‘Hamtramck - Detroits Most Remarkable Suburb’?

1911 on Michigan Manufacturer magazine cover

Findings and date of US census

1915 found that H was growing at a rate 50 times greater than the rest of the country and almost all immigrants were Polish

When and to what did the population peak?

In 1930 at 56,000 people

When was the population decline of the White Flight?

1940s

Change in Polish population

In 1970 made up 90% of pop but now only 13%

When did Dodge main plant close and what effect did this have?

In 1980, made up a quarter of operating revenues in taxes, made H ‘one of the poorest cities in Michigan’

Impact of the construction of the GM Hamtramck Assembly Plant

demolished 1,500 homes and businesses, a hospital and several churches

How many jobs did the Assembly Centre provide and when did it open?

Opened in 1985 only providing half of promised 6000 jobs due to use of automation, factory still referred to as Poletown Plant

What and when was the Loretta Smith quote of inclusivity? (from The Citizen - Hamtramck local newspaper)

1959 ‘they live, work, play and enjoy life together … regardless of race, religion and creed’

Leduff book quote

BOOM: ‘detroit was choking on industry’, BUST: ‘the streets were empty and cratered’

Polish community

St Florian Church founded 1907 and still in use, 1950s majority of sch children spoke Polish at sch. St Florian polish strawberry festival in 1980s was biggest festival in Michigan and continues today but only sells 200 strawberry pies. New Palace Bakery continues to open to sell paczki

Black history

Great Migration from south in 20th cent - established churches, businesses, social and political organisations and some churches still exist today. Historic Hamtramck Stadium is one of only 5 Black League home ballparks and was used by Negro League baseball teams from 1930s-1990s

Muslim community

major immigration in 1990s incl refugees from Bosnian civil war. Islamic Centre of Hamtramck (continuity). 2004 city passed legislation allowing religious broadcasts incl Call to Prayer. 2015 city elected first majority-Muslim city council in US.

US census 2010

over 30 languages spoken

racial dot map findings

from 2013, ethically more diverse than detroit - divided by the 8 mile road.

census findings 2019

• *41.4% foreign born (2015-2019)

• Cheap rent $729 a month 

• Persons in poverty 46.5%

2023 the city had the highest percentage of immigrants in Michigan at

44%

2023 economic data

• Largest industry sector is manufacturing (26%) then retail (15%) 

• Median income: $40,100 compared to $80,000 for USA

2023 demographic data

• Employed pop: 7,891

• Mean age 27 (young)

• Poverty 38% (continuity - poorest city in michigan 1980)

qualitative photographic data

Photos of busy town/businesses 1965 vs now with empty streets 

qualitative artistic representations

2013 flag display of 18 countries photo. mural calling H ‘home of diversity’ 2013

qualitative - rally story

1000ppl rally against trump anti-immigrant views in 2017

conflict: changes affecting the African American community

1930, African Americans less access to New Deal mortgage support programme, resulting in less homeownership with the black population, 1970 a judge found that H has used urban renewal projects to intentionally displace black communities and residences.