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Harper Woods, MI

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Harper Woods, MI

Harper Woods is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner ring suburb of Detroit, Harper Woods borders Detroit to the north and east, roughly 9 miles (14.5 km) northeast of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 15,492. 

According to the city's website, Harper Woods was so named because it was then a wooded area and because its main thoroughfare was Harper Avenue (named for Walter Harper, founder of Harper Hospital in Detroit).

Harper Woods was incorporated as a city on February 19, 1951, from what was left of Gratiot Township. A charter commission was elected, a charter prepared and adopted, and a city council elected. The City of Harper Woods came into existence on October 29, 1951, when the charter took effect, and the first city council was sworn in. 

The fledgling suburb faced the usual problems confronting new cities: schools, streets, sidewalks, water systems, drains, etc. In 1956, Harper Woods was the subject of a community service study by the Bureau of Government, Institute of Public Administration, at the University of Michigan. 

The development of Harper Woods reflected the growth of metropolitan Detroit. In 1955, Interstate 94 (I-94) (which bisects the eastern part of the suburb) was approved, and construction on the Eastland Shopping Center began soon after. Eastland Center, one of the first outdoor malls in the Midwest, opened in 1957. Harper Woods continued to develop and grow over the decades. In 2001, Harper Woods celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Harper Woods is located between the City of Detroit and St. Clair Shores, and between Detroit and the Grosse Pointes. Harper Wood borders Macomb County along 8 Mile Road on its north side. It is located along I-94. Eastland Center was the community's shopping center until it closed in 2021. Harper Woods has no rail access.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.61 square miles (6.76 km2), all land.

Harper Woods places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. Spa In The Woods provides a tranquil retreat with massages, facials, and holistic therapies aimed at stress relief and relaxation. Anytime Fitness offers 24/7 access to state-of-the-art equipment and personalized training programs for fitness enthusiasts. Holy Yoga Detroit hosts yoga classes that focus on flexibility, strength, and mindfulness, catering to all levels of practitioners. Triangle Chiropractic and Massage specializes in spinal health, pain relief, and overall wellness with various chiropractic services. Planet Fitness promotes a judgment-free environment with various exercise equipment and group fitness classes. Belle Tire Sports Complex offers ice skating and hockey programs, promoting physical fitness and fun for all ages. RIM Pointe Fitness offers comprehensive fitness services including group classes and personal training. DMC Harper University Hospital offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs.

The top sites in Harper Woods, MI are Balduck Park, Ghesquiere Park, and Detroit Zoo.
 

Population: 15,492 (2020). ZIP Code: 48225. Area codes: 313. Elevation: 587 ft (179 m). Area: 2.63 sq mi (6.81 km2).
 

FAQs

What are the demographics of Harper Woods, MI?

Harper Woods, MI is home to a population of 15.3k people, of which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2022, 2.36% of Harper Woods, MI residents were born outside of the country (361 people). In 2022, there were 2.12 times more Black or African American (non-Hispanic) residents (9.68k people) in Harper Woods, MI than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.57k White (Non-Hispanic) and 743 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is the history of Harper Woods, MI?

Harper Woods was incorporated as a city on February 19, 1951, when the residents of Gratiot Township (est. 1895) voted to incorporate the entire area of the Township of Harper Woods.  A Charter Commission was elected, a Charter prepared and adopted, and a City Council elected.  The City of Harper Woods was "born" on Monday, October 29, 1951, when the Charter took effect and the first City Council was sworn in. 

How did Harper Woods, MI get its name?

The fledgling City of Harper Woods (renamed from Gratiot Township in 1951 from its being in a heavily wooded area and from its main thoroughfare, Harper Avenue, which was named for Walter Harper, founder of Harper Hospital in Detroit) had the usual problems of new cities: schools (Poupard opened in 1951), street paving, water systems, drains, sidewalks, etc. In 1955, the Interstate 94 Expressway Route was approved, and construction on Eastland Shopping Center began soon after. 

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Harper Woods

Data USA

Balduck Park

Ghesquiere Park

Detroit Zoo

Spa In The Woods

Anytime Fitness

Holy Yoga Detroit

Triangle Chiropractic and Massage

 Planet Fitness

Belle Tire Sports Complex

RIM Pointe Fitness

DMC Harper University Hospital

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