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Dearborn, MI

Frequently asked questions

Dearborn, MI  

Dearborn is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, Dearborn borders Detroit to the south and west, roughly 7 miles (11.3 km) west of downtown Detroit. Dearborn is best known as the home of the Ford Motor Company, and the birthplace and hometown of its founder, Henry Ford. 

The first written settlement of Dearborn dates to the 18th century by French Canadian voyageurs who initially called the settlement “La Belle Fontaine” or “Place aux Fontaines” because of the abundant springs in the city. It is for this reason that Dearborn was once named Springwells, an anglicization of the French name. The settlement was connected to the Detroit River ribbon farm communities and other farms connected to the Rouge River and the Sauk Trail. The community grew in the 19th century with the establishment of the Detroit Arsenal on the Chicago Road linking Detroit and Chicago. In the 20th century, it developed as a major manufacturing hub for the automotive industry.

Henry Ford was born on a farm that was once at the intersection of Ford Road and Greenfield Road. Ford later built his estate, Fair Lane, and his River Rouge Complex, the largest factory of his empire, in Dearborn. He developed mass production of automobiles, and based the world headquarters of the Ford Motor Company here. The city has a campus of the University of Michigan, and Henry Ford College. The Henry Ford is the largest indoor-outdoor historic museum complex in the United States and Metro Detroit's leading tourist attraction.

Dearborn residents are Americans primarily of European or Middle Eastern ancestry, many descendants of 19th and 20th-century immigrants. The census identifies primary European ethnicities as German, Polish, Irish, and Italian. New waves of immigration came from the Middle East in the late 20th century, Muslims and Christians from Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. Dearborn has the largest Muslim population in the United States per capita and the largest mosque in North America.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.5 square miles (63 km2), of which 24.4 square miles (63 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.37%) is water. The city developed on both sides of the Rouge River. An artificial waterfall/low-head dam was constructed by Henry Ford on his estate to power its powerhouse. The Upper, Middle, and Lower Branches of the river come together in Dearborn. The river is widened and channeled near the Rouge Plant to allow lake freighter access.

Fordson Island (42°17′38″N 83°08′52″W) is an 8.4 acre (3.4 hectares) island about three miles (5 km) upriver on the River Rouge from its confluence with the Detroit River. It is the only major island in a tributary to the Detroit River. It was created in 1922 when engineers dug a secondary trench to reroute the River Rouge to increase navigability for shipping purposes, and businesses needed it to be navigable by the large lake freighters. The island is privately owned, has no public access, and is part of the city of Dearborn which has no frontage along the Detroit River.

Dearborn is among a small number of municipalities that own property in other cities. It owns the 626-acre (2.53 km2) Camp Dearborn in Milford, Michigan, which is located 35 miles (56 km) from Dearborn. Dearborn was among an even smaller number of cities that held property in another state. For a time, the city owned the Dearborn Towers apartment complex in Clearwater, Florida, but this has been sold. Camp Dearborn is considered part of the city of Dearborn. Revenues generated by camp admissions are incorporated into the city's budget.

Dearborn places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Planet Fitness provides a welcoming environment for fitness enthusiasts with its wide range of cardio and strength equipment. For those seeking tranquility and balance, Sattva Yoga Center offers classes that promote flexibility, strength, and mental clarity. Cornwell Health Dearborn Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs. Anytime Fitness provides state-of-the-art gym equipment, fitness classes, and personal training services to support individuals in achieving their fitness goals. Om Day Spa and Aesthetic Medica are ideal for relaxation and rejuvenation with their variety of massage therapies. There are also parks such as Ford Field Park. 

Top sites in Dearborn, MI are Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Arab American National Museum, Fair Lane, and Home of Clara and Henry Ford.

Population: 106,377 (2024). ZIP codes: 48120, 48121, 48123, 48124, 48126, 48128. Area codes: 313. Elevation: 591 ft (180 m). Area: 24.52 sq mi (63.49 km2).

FAQs

Is Dearborn, MI expensive?

Dearborn, Michigan's cost of living is 15% higher than the national average. Dearborn's housing expenses are 168% higher than the national average and the utility prices are 2% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 1% higher than the national average. Dearborn has grocery prices that are 1% higher than the national average. Healthcare in Dearborn is 1% lower than the national average.

Is Dearborn, MI a good place to live?

Dearborn is in Wayne County and is one of the best places to live in Michigan. Living in Dearborn offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Dearborn, there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Dearborn and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Dearborn are above average.

Why is Dearborn, MI famous?

The City of Dearborn is a regional employment and business center, in addition to being home to more than 98,000 residents. Widely known as the home of Ford Motor Company’s world headquarters, Dearborn also is an industrial center for steel processing and home to a number of regionally and nationally recognized companies. Dearborn is also a central hub for education in metro Detroit. Home to the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Henry Ford College, and several other institutions, thousands of students travel to Dearborn to obtain college degrees. Hundreds of students in UM-Dearborn campus housing also now call the city home.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Dearborn

Payscale

Niche

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation

Arab American National Museum

Fair Lane, Home of Clara and Henry Ford.

Ford Community & Performing Arts Center

Planet Fitness 

Sattva Yoga Center 

Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital 

Anytime Fitness

Om Day Spa

Aesthetic Medica

Ford Field Park

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete, or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.