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Berkley, MI

Frequently asked questions

Berkley, MI

Berkley is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northern suburb of Detroit on the Woodward Corridor, Berkley is located roughly 14 miles (22.5 km) northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 15,194. 

Before settlement, the land that would become Berkley consisted largely of dense forests and some isolated pockets of swampland. Many in the region deemed the areas north and west of Detroit as uninhabitable or impassible due to the harshness of the swamps beyond Detroit, but as adventurers pushed out through the interminable swamp, they found beautiful scenery beyond the wet prairie of Northern Wayne County. As it became well known that there was a "fine farming country" to the north and west of Detroit, great excitement was raised and people began to flock to what was then all known as Royal Oak. Land in what would later become Berkley began being sold to farmers who cut down forests and otherwise prepared the land for farming. By the 1840s, Berkley contained a great number of dairy farms. The 1910s brought significant growth to the area with the completion of the Highland Park Ford Plant. As farms were sold and turned into subdivisions, there was pressure to formally incorporate the land. In 1923, Berkley was incorporated as a village. At the time, Elmer Cromie had named the road that ran through his farm Berkley, and the "Berkley School" was then under construction, so the name Berkley was chosen for the village. 

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 brought growth in Berkley to a halt. Roughly 90% of the 5,558 residents in Berkley lost their jobs when the market crashed. Within a year, the city's population was dropping and in 1932 voters chose to incorporate their Village into a City to gain more oversight over taxes and other issues facing the community. In the 1940s, suburbanization and the post-war boom economy drove significant development in the area. The current Berkley High School was built in 1949. The city reached a population peak of 23,375 in 1960. In 1993, the Berkley Theater, long a symbol of moviegoers in the area, closed down and became a Rite Aid drug store.

Berkley lies within Southeastern Oakland County. It is adjacent to the cities of Huntington Woods and Oak Park to the south, Southfield to the west, and Royal Oak to the north and east.

Berkley is bordered by Woodward Avenue (M-1) on the east, Webster Road on the North, Greenfield Road on the west, and 11 Mile Road on the south. The southern border of the city is 3 miles north of the Detroit city limits, which are bounded by Eight Mile Road. Berkley is intersected by 12 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway, and though no Interstates run through the city, Interstate 75 and Interstate 696 are major thoroughfares near the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.62 square miles (6.79 km2), all land.

Berkley places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Balanced Health & Wellness provides a holistic approach to health with services including acupuncture, massage therapy, and nutritional counseling. Pure Barre Berkley offers high-intensity, low-impact workout sessions that focus on building strength and endurance. Anytime Fitness provides 24/7 access to modern exercise equipment and personalized training programs. The Berkley Community Center hosts a variety of fitness classes, from Zumba to yoga, as well as recreational activities for all ages. Berkley Michigan Chiropractic focuses on spinal health, pain relief, and overall wellness with various chiropractic services. Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness services including group classes and personal training. Be Well Medical Center offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs.
 

The top sites in Berkley, MI are the Berkley Historical Museum, Detroit Zoo, and SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium.

Population: 14,961 (2022). ZIP Code: 48072. Area codes: 248. Elevation: 686 ft (209 m). Area: 2.62 sq mi (6.77 km2).
 

FAQs

Is Berkley, MI expensive?

Berkley, Michigan's cost of living is 2% lower than the national average. Berkley's housing expenses are 26% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 6% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are about the same as the national average. Berkley has grocery prices that are 1% higher than the national average. Healthcare in Berkley is 13% higher than the national average.

What are the demographics of Berkley, MI?

Berkley is a city located in Oakland County Michigan. Berkley has a 2024 population of 14,858. Berkley is currently declining at a rate of -0.51% annually and its population has decreased by -2% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 15,161 in 2020. According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Berkley was White: 88.41%, Two or more races: 7.06%, Other race: 1.87%, Black or African American: 1.43%, Asian: 0.97%, Native American: 0.27%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%.

Is Berkley, MI a good place to live?

Berkley is in Oakland County and is one of the best places to live in Michigan. Living in Berkley offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Berkley, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Berkley and residents tend to lean liberal. The public schools in Berkley are highly rated.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Berkley

Data USA

World Population Review

Payscale

Niche

Berkley Historical Museum

Detroit Zoo

SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium

Balanced Health & Wellness

Pure Barre Berkley

Anytime Fitness

Berkley Community Center

Berkley Michigan Chiropractic

Planet Fitness

Be Well Medical Center

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