Inkster, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Inkster, Michigan
settlement_type = City


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in Wayne County and the state of Michigan


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_name2 = Wayne
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1835
established_title2 = Incorporation
established_date2 = 1964
government_type = Council-Manager
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 = Mayor
leader_name1 = Hilliard Hampton
leader_title2 = City Manager
leader_name2 = Joyce A. Parker
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 16.3
area_total_sq_mi = 6.28
area_land_km2 = 16.2
area_land_sq_mi = 6.28
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
elevation_ft = 623
elevation_m = 190
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 30115
population_metro =
population_density_km2 = 4808.1
population_density_sq_mi = 4808.1
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
latd = 42 |latm = 17 |lats = 33 |latNS = N
longd = 83 |longm = 18 |longs = 51 |longEW = W
website = http://www.cityofinkster.com/
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 48141
area_code = 313
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-40680GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0629039GR|3
footnotes =

Inkster is a city in Wayne County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 30,115. It is one of the few suburbs in Metro Detroit whose population is majority African American.

History

The area was first settled by non-indigenous people in 1825, . A post office named "Moulin Rouge" was established there in December 1857. Robert Inkster, a Scotsman born March 27, 1828, in Lerwick, Shetland, [cite web | title = City of Inkster, Wayne County, Michigan | worklmppokopkp = Michigan American Local History Network | url = http://www.geocities.com/michhist/inkster.html | accessdate = 2006-11-21 ] operated a steam sawmill on present-day Inkster Road near Michigan Avenue in the early 1860s. The post office was renamed Inkster in July 1863 and was a station on the Michigan Central Railroad by 1878. It incorporated as a village in 1926 and as a city in 1964. cite book | last = Romig | first = Walter | year = 1986 | title = Michigan Place Names | origyear= 1973 | publisher = Wayne State University Press | location = Detroit, Michigan | id = ISBN 0-8143-1838-X]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.2 km²), all land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 30,115 people, 11,169 households, and 7,460 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,808.1 per square mile (1,857.4/km²). There were 12,013 housing units at an average density of 1,918.0/sq mi (740.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 25.14% White, 67.51% African American, 0.41% Native American, 3.42% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.74% from other races, and 2.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.60% of the population.

There were 11,169 households out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.0% were married couples living together, 26.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,950, and the median income for a family was $41,176. Males had a median income of $37,986 versus $26,567 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,711. About 15.2% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

Popular culture and notable residents

*The Motown era group The Marvelettes was formed by two women from Inkster: Gladys Horton and Georgia Dobbins. The group's "Please Mr. Postman" went number one.
*During the 1950s, Inkster was the home of Malcolm X, revolutionary leader.
*It has been the home of Don Barden, the only African American owner of a gaming hotel in Las Vegas.
*It is the birthplace of former Oakland Raiders running back, Tyrone Wheatley.
*It was the home of Earl Jones (athlete), 1984 Olympic bronze medalist in the 800 meters.
*It is the birthplace of former Arkansas State University football standout, Joseph Fears.
*Birthplace of Independent Film Auteur Lee Martin II (CornerBoy Films)

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofinkster.com/ Official Website of the City of Inkster]
* [http://www.inkster.lib.mi.us Inkster Public Library]