Berkley is a city in Oakland County in the

U.S. state In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

. A northern suburb of Detroit on the

Woodward Corridor M-1, also known as Woodward Avenue, is a north–south Michigan State Trunkline Highway System, state trunkline highway in the Metro Detroit area of the US state of Michigan. The highway, called "Detroit's Main Street", runs from Detroit north- ...

, Berkley is located roughly northwest of

downtown Detroit Downtown Detroit is the central business district and a Neighborhoods in Detroit, residential area of the city of Detroit, Michigan, United States. Locally, "downtown" tends to refer to the 1.4 square mile region bordered by M-10 (Michigan high ...

. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 15,194.

History

Prior to settlement, the land which 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 "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 The Highland Park Ford Plant is a historic former Ford Motor Company factory located at 91 Manchester Street (at Woodward Avenue) in Highland Park, Michigan. It was Ford's third factory, it was the second American Model T production facility ...

. 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 Suburbanization (American English), also spelled suburbanisation (British English), is a population shift from historic core cities or rural areas into suburbs. Most suburbs are built in a formation of (sub)urban sprawl. As a consequence ...

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 Rite Aid Corporation is an American drugstore chain based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1962 in Scranton, Pennsylvania, by Alex Grass under the name Thrift D Discount Center. Prior to its first bankruptcy in 2023, it was the th ...

drug store. Which has since closed down again in late 2024.

Berkley Center

In July 1964, an enclosed shopping mall was planned to be built, many people now shop there. stretching east to west from Coolidge Highway to Kipling Avenue, and 12 Mile Rd to Wiltshire Rd, North to South. The plan would involve buying and demolishing 114 homes and businesses. The plan eventually collapsed.

Culture

Downtown Berkley stretches along 12 Mile Road between Greenfield Road and Coolidge Highway, and along Coolidge Highway between 12 Mile Road and 11 Mile Road. Downtown Berkley is home to many restaurants, boutiques, clothing stores, and retail shops. Berkley's municipal offices, public library, and public safety headquarters are located near the intersection of 12 Mile Road and Coolidge Highway. Downtown Berkley hosts an annual Art Bash, which drew roughly 10,000 people to the city's commercial sector in 2016. The Art Bash brings local artists from all over Michigan to sell art from photographs, garden art, jewelry and pottery to clothing accessories and paintings. Local stores and shops also participate in the festivities holding sidewalk sales. The city is an active participant in the annual Woodward Dream Cruise, a popular

classic car A classic car is typically described as an automobile 25 years or older, although a car's age is not the only requirement it must meet before being considered a "classic." However, a standard criteria for recognizing cars as classics does not ex ...

showcase in the

Metro Detroit Metro Detroit is a major metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Michigan, consisting of the city of Detroit and over 200 municipalities in the Southeast Michigan, surrounding area. There are varied definitions of the area, including the officia ...

area. Berkley hosts a classic car parade Downtown, called the Berkley CruiseFest. It holds the festivities one day before the official date of the Dream Cruise, and has done so every year since 1995. In addition to the Downtown festivities, the city holds an annual Summerfest and Winterfest through the city Parks and Recreation department and partnerships with volunteers and community organizations. The City of Berkley is home to many neighborhood parks and a large central community center, which is located on Catalpa Drive, just east of Anderson Middle School. For decades, Berkley Parks and Recreation operated an ice arena at their central facility, but this was closed in 2016 due to a coolant leak in the facility. In 2019, the Berkley Ice Arena was demolished. The city of Berkley was planned and exists as an inner-ring suburb of Detroit. The majority of its streets connect on a grid pattern and typical lots are small by suburban standards. This is viewed by the residents as fostering a tight-knit community. This has led to the community becoming an increasingly popular suburb, being among the healthiest housing markets in Michigan and the United States, but despite this Berkley is still considered affordable by '' Money.com'', which rated Berkley as the 28th-best place to live for the money, in the United States due to its "small-town feel" within Metro Detroit and its "easily walkable downtown".

Geography

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 A woodward is a Game warden, warden of a wood. Woodward may also refer to: Places ;United States * Woodward, Iowa * Woodward, Oklahoma * Woodward, Pennsylvania, a census-designated place * Woodward Avenue, a street in Tallahassee, Florida, which b ...

(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 Interstate 75 (I-75) is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. As with most Interstates that end in 5, it is a major cross-country, north–south route, traveling from S ...

and

Interstate 696 Interstate 696 (I-696) is an east–west auxiliary Interstate Highway in the Metro Detroit region of the US state of Michigan. The state trunkline highway is also known as the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, named for the prominent auto indus ...

are major thoroughfares near the city. According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2020 Census and 2021 American Community Survey

As of the 2020 Census, there were 15,194 people, and 7,067 households in the city, with an average of 2.15 persons per household. The racial makeup of the city was 88.0%

White White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 3.2%

African American African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an Race and ethnicity in the United States, American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from an ...

, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 0.3% from other races, and 5.6% from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. The median age in the city was 37.2 years. 19.2% of residents were under the age of 18, and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female. According to the 2021 American Community Survey, the median age in Berkley was 37.2 years. 3.7% of the population was foreign born, and veterans accounted for 4.7% of the population. The median household income was $96,993, and 4.3% of the population lived below the poverty line.

2010 census

As of the

census A census (from Latin ''censere'', 'to assess') is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording, and calculating population information about the members of a given Statistical population, population, usually displayed in the form of stati ...

of 2010, there were 14,970 people, 6,594 households, and 3,896 families residing in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 6,933 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 93.3%

, 3.0%

, 0.3% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.1%

, 0.3% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. There were 6,594 households, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were

married couples Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.9% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age in the city was 37.9 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.7% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 11.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census

As of the

of 2000, there were 15,531 people, 6,678 households, and 4,020 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 6,833 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 96.09%

, 0.70%

, 0.24% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.01%

, 0.40% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races.

or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population. There were 6,678 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were

living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.8% were non-families. 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 3.01. In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 38.2% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males. The median income for a household in the city was $57,620, and the median income for a family was $66,968. Males had a median income of $50,276 versus $36,624 for females. The

per capita income Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $27,504. About 2.5% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

The Berkley School District operates in almost all of Berkley, all of Huntington Woods, and the north section of Oak Park. The school district includes four elementary schools (Angell, Burton, Pattengill, and Rogers), one Kindergarten-8th grade school (Norup International), one middle school (Anderson), and one high school ( Berkley High School). From 2008 to 2016, Berkley High School has been named by Newsweek on its list of 1,000 Best High Schools in the nation. In 2008, it ranked among the top six in

, and in 2017 ''

The Washington Post ''The Washington Post'', locally known as ''The'' ''Post'' and, informally, ''WaPo'' or ''WP'', is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C., the national capital. It is the most widely circulated newspaper in the Washington m ...

'' rated it as one of the most challenging high schools in the nation, making it one of three Oakland County high schools to earn the distinction. Norup became an International Baccalaureate Candidate school in 2006 implementing the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Middle Years Programme (MYP) for all students. Homeowners in the first block west of Woodward and in the first five streets north of Eleven Mile Road are serviced by the Royal Oak Public Schools. A former elementary school, Avery, was converted into the Berkley School District's Building Blocks program for infants through pre-school. The program is nationally accredited, one of among only 8% accredited centers in the country. Building Blocks was also previously housed at Tyndall Center, the building now serves as the district board office. In 2015, Pattengill was placed on the list of

National Blue Ribbon School The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States Department of Education award program that recognizes exemplary public and non-public schools on a yearly basis. Using standards of excellence evidenced by student achievement measures, ...

's. Angell is currently the oldest continuously operating elementary school in Oakland County, having opened in 1921. For decades, Berkley School District has been the principal employer in the city, with 718 employees as of 2021. Another former school, Our Lady of La Salette School, was established in 1943. Initially 100 students attended. Beginning in 1947, the school building opened in three phases, with completion in 1953. In the 1960s it had over 1,000 students, its highest number ever. From the 2008–2009 school year until the 2012–2013 school year the student body numbers declined by 47%, with the final student count at 73. It closed in 2013. In 2018, Berkley city council rejected a proposal to convert the building into apartments. This decision was later reversed, and the building reopened as The Ivy in 2023.

Notable people

Curtis Armstrong Curtis Johnathan Armstrong (born November 27, 1953) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of Booger in the '' Revenge of the Nerds'' films, Herbert Viola on the TV series '' Moonlighting'', Miles Dalby in the film '' Risky ...

, actor (Booger in the ''

Revenge of the Nerds ''Revenge of the Nerds'' is a 1984 American comedy film directed by Jeff Kanew and starring Robert Carradine, Anthony Edwards, Ted McGinley, and Bernie Casey. The plot follows a group of nerds at the fictional Adams College trying to st ...

'' movies; Herbert Viola on ''Moonlighting'', Ahmet Ertegün in ''Ray''); graduated from Berkley High School * Joseph Bruce, rapper and producer (''

Insane Clown Posse Insane Clown Posse, often abbreviated as ICP, is an American hip hop duo. Formed in Detroit in 1989, ICP's best-known lineup consists of rappers Violent J (Joseph Bruce) and Shaggy 2 Dope (originally 2 Dope; Joseph Utsler). Insan ...

''); born in Berkley *

Marshall Crenshaw Marshall Howard Crenshaw (born November 11, 1953) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for hit songs such as " Someday, Someway", a US top 40 hit in 1982, " Cynical Girl", and " Whenever You're on My Mind". He is ...

, singer, songwriter, and actor (''Someday, Someway''); portrayed Buddy Holly in ''La Bamba''; graduated from Berkley High School (1971) * Bruce Flowers, pro basketball player selected by

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers, often referred to as the Cavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Central Division (NBA), Central Divis ...

26th overall in 1979 NBA draft, had most of his success overseas, playing for Italian squads; graduated from Berkley High School * J. Fred Lawton, lyricist, poet, and businessman; closely associated with University of Michigan, produced "Varsity," which became a University of Michigan fight song, and played football under legendary coach Fielding H. Yost; lived in Berkley *

Sander Levin Sander Martin Levin (born September 6, 1931) is an American politician who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 2019, representing (numbered as the from 1983 to 1993 and as the from 1993 to 2013). Levin, a member ...

, U.S. Congressman, first Chairman of Berkley Democratic Club, played instrumental role in building Berkley Public Library * Katherine Nye, Olympic weightlifter lives in Berkley * Owain Phyfe, musician and producer; lived in Berkley * Jim Seymour, wide receiver for Notre Dame and

Chicago Bears The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago. The Bears compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They are one of two remaining ...

; born in Berkley * Jim Starlin, comic book artist and novelist; graduated from Berkley High School (1967) *

Rob Tyner Robert W. Derminer (December 12, 1944 – September 18, 1991), known as Rob Tyner, was an American musician best known as the lead singer for the Detroit proto-punk band MC5. His adopted surname was in tribute to the jazz pianist McCoy Tyner. ...

, lead singer for

proto-punk Proto-punk (or protopunk) is rock music from the 1960s to mid-1970s that foreshadowed the punk rock genre and movement. A retrospective label, the musicians involved were generally not originally associated with each other and came from a variet ...

band

MC5 MC5 was an American rock music, rock band formed in Lincoln Park, Michigan, in 1963. The classic lineup consisted of vocalist Rob Tyner, guitarists Wayne Kramer and Fred "Sonic" Smith, bassist Michael Davis (bassist), Michael Davis, and drummer ...

; lived and died in Berkley * Aric Morris, former NFL safety (

Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. They play the ...

New England Patriots The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...

Super Bowl XXXVIII Super Bowl XXXVIII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion 2003 Carolina Panthers season, Carolina Panthers and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion 2003 New England Patriots season, New E ...

champion; graduated from Berkley High School (1996)

References

External links

City of Berkley

Berkley Chamber of Commerce
{{Authority control Cities in Oakland County, Michigan Metro Detroit Populated places established in 1923 1923 establishments in Michigan