Novi is a home rule city located in Oakland County, Michigan, in the Detroit metropolitan area, approximately 25 miles northwest from the center of Detroit. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 47,386. The city is located within the boundaries of the geographic Township of Novi.
Novi is one of the fastest growing cities in Michigan, and is now considered to be one of the most affluent cities in Michigan. The construction of Twelve Oaks Mall in the mid-1970s at the interchange of Novi Road and I-96 is often credited with ushering in the growth that the city experiences today. But even before Twelve Oaks, the city experienced almost constant growth since the 1950s. This period of growth has led to an explosion in the city's population and numerous residential, commercial and industrial developments around the city.
Most of the farmland and open spaces present in the mid-20th Century have been lost to development. The exceptions include the Tollgate Farm located at the intersection of Twelve Mile and Meadowbrook Roads. This farmstead owned by the Americana Foundation is currently leased and operated by Michigan State University as an agricultural extension. Another prominent natural area is the North Novi Park located between Walled Lake and Twelve Mile Road, west of Novi Road. While portions of the park were turned over to a developer to settle a lawsuit, it still remains one of the largest municipal parks in southeast Michigan. In 2005, the City of Novi negotiated for the donation of several parcels on the west side of the City. These properties, along with several adjoining parcels owned by the City, will preserve 253 acres of environmentally sensitive areas in the Huron River watershed. Also in 2005, the City of Novi was awarded a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant to acquire 51 acres of environmentally sensitive property in southeast Novi within the Rouge River watershed.
Novi is the home of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 81.1 km2 (31.3 mi2). 78.9 km2 (30.5 mi2) of it is land and 2.2 km2 (0.9 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 2.74% water. Walled Lake is the largest lake in the City. It also serves as the headwaters of the Middle Branch of the Rouge River. Shawood Lake lies just southwest of Walled Lake. Most of the City lies within the Rouge River watershed. However, some areas on the north and west side of the City are part of the Huron River watershed.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 47,386 people, 18,726 households, and 12,321 families residing in the city. The population density is 600.5/km2 (1,555.2/mi2). There are 19,649 housing units at an average density of 249.0/km2 (644.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 87.26% White, 1.92% African American, 0.19% Native American, 8.67% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.47% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. 1.80% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 18,726 households out of which 36.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% are married couples living together, 7.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% are non-families. 28.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.52 and the average family size is 3.17.
In the city the population is spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 35.7% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 93.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $71,918, and the median income for a family is $91,369. Males have a median income of $65,590 versus $38,432 for females. The per capita income for the city is $35,992. 2.2% of the population and 1.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 2.4% of those under the age of 18 and 2.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The City of Novi was incorporated in 1969 along the boundaries of the then-existing Village of Novi after the approval of a City Charter. The approval of incorporation and the City Charter followed several previous attempts at incorporation that were rejected by Novi voters. In the 1970s, the City annexed portions of Novi Township that had been detached from the Village of Novi after the Village incorporated in 1958. A lengthy legal battle ensued between the City and the Township which ultimately was decided by the Michigan Supreme Court in favor of the City. The legal disputes around the annexation dispute were not fully resolved until 1984.
Historic Sites
The name Novi was taken from the township, which was organized in 1832 from Farmington Township. The name was offered by resident Dr. J.C. Emory, at the suggestion of his wife. Residents were reportedly looking for a shorter name than Farmington. Several popular but historically inaccurate explanations have been given for the origin of the name Novi. One version is that it was named after the 6th tollgate on the Grand River toll road (No. VI). However, the township was named in 1832 and the toll road wasn't constructed until the 1850s. A similar claim is made about the Township being stop number 6 on the railroad. However, the railroad was not constructed through the Township until 1870 - 1871, almost 40 years after it was named.
Source:
NoviMichigan.com
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