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Much of this is suburban flight. The Detroit Metropolitan Area has stayed steady over the past 10 years at ~4,400,000.
Most large US cities are run by Democrats or Democrat leaning non-aligned mayors. So it's also fair to say that most successful cities in this country are run by Democrats.
Not completely true the numbers aren't turning up in the suburbs to explain the loss in Detroit.
Metzger, the demographer, said Detroit's population drop partially reflects the migration of middle-class blacks to suburban counties, a trend that the mayor acknowledged. The numbers also suggest that some blacks have given up on Michigan altogether: the state's non-Hispanic black population fell 1.8 percent, from 1,408,522 to 1,383,756.
That marks Michigan's first drop in black residents since statehood, and a historically significant change for a state that was long a magnet for blacks leaving the South to escape discrimination and find jobs, said William Frey, a Brookings Institution demographer.
The recent housing crisis has accelerated foreclosures and driven down prices, which Metzger said has enabled more black families to buy houses in the suburbs.
Unless you're prepared to discuss the so-called demise of Detroit on a historical basis you should hold your piece. And as for Houston, you'll find very few Americans who would agree with you.
People should also remember that the economic fortunes of a city tend to ebb and flow in cycles. In the mid to late 1970's New York City was actually on the verge of bankruptcy and the city was able to rebound. Detroit is still a city with a waterfront, close proximity to two great universities, a rich cultural legacy and some neighborhoods that are still beautiful despite the decline the city has seen. To the shrewd investor there are great real estate opportunities to be had in the city. As an investor one the best times to invest is when everybody is running in the other direction.
What Detroit needs is an economic catalyst and it will eventually find one. When it does the amazingly low real estate prices and access to intellectual capital will help revitalize the city.
People should also remember that the economic fortunes of a city tend to ebb and flow in cycles. In the mid to late 1970's New York City was actually on the verge of bankruptcy and the city was able to rebound.
Because NYC was way too important to the USA to be lost completely (which it came very close to being during the Beame years) No NYC = no USA (for better or worse). DC was very screwed up under Marion Barry, it's done much better lately (even though the mayor responsible for its improvement, Fenty, got voted out and a Barry crony got voted in). Detroit, unfortunately, wasn't important enough, and still suffers from all those years under Coleman Young (although Kwame was little better...) in addition to the general decline of the region and country.
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Detroit is still a city with a waterfront, close proximity to two great universities, a rich cultural legacy
Word. It's remarkable that even as Detroit itself is approaching death it has remained incredibly culturally rich and vibrant.
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and some neighborhoods that are still beautiful despite the decline the city has seen. To the shrewd investor there are great real estate opportunities to be had in the city. As an investor one the best times to invest is when everybody is running in the other direction.
What Detroit needs is an economic catalyst and it will eventually find one. When it does the amazingly low real estate prices and access to intellectual capital will help revitalize the city.
What Detroit, Wayne County, and MI should have done is capitalize on the presence of those universitites...and if Bing is successful in shrinking the city so it can survive, it could remake itself.
People should also remember that the economic fortunes of a city tend to ebb and flow in cycles.
What Detroit needs is an economic catalyst and it will eventually find one. When it does the amazingly low real estate prices and access to intellectual capital will help revitalize the city.
Yes, things are cyclic, not necessarily straight-line trends (to a city's ultimate demise, for instance).
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Originally Posted by majoun
Detroit, unfortunately, wasn't important enough, and still suffers from all those years under Coleman Young (although Kwame was little better...) in addition to the general decline of the region and country.
It's remarkable that even as Detroit itself is approaching death it has remained incredibly culturally rich and vibrant.
Yeah, I always avoided bring up Coleman Young in this forum. He was a war hero imo as a Tuskegee Airman serving his country, but he did carry some bitterness into office, and it showed. He was supported by many, who shared his feelings, oblivious to the fact that the suburbs held all the economic cards. The citizenry had a despairing attitude during that time. As you say, things also compounded.
However, notice the interest now in the city's revitalization. This attitude was missing for several years. No reason the city can't turn around, but the global influence is bigger now than it was (on all cities).
Detroit will be under 500,000 within 10 years. Book it, folks, like most northern closed shop old style manufacturing centers, it lost its way. Every new Transplant auto production facility has gone RTW.
Detroit will be under 500,000 within 10 years. Book it, folks, like most northern closed shop old style manufacturing centers, it lost its way. Every new Transplant auto production facility has gone RTW.
The assumption in your post is that trends progress in a straight line. If that is true then Detroit and similar cities will die.
There is no reason a city must remain what it is - it's just a piece of real estate to be filled with whatever. Detroit is now recognizing it's need for diversification - no reason to be tied to manufacturing. The newer businesses moving in are non-auto related. So a city like Detroit could grow a mix of industry, finance, recreation, research, agriculture.
My point is, most trends are cyclic, not linear.
People should also remember that the economic fortunes of a city tend to ebb and flow in cycles. In the mid to late 1970's New York City was actually on the verge of bankruptcy and the city was able to rebound. Detroit is still a city with a waterfront, close proximity to two great universities, a rich cultural legacy and some neighborhoods that are still beautiful despite the decline the city has seen. To the shrewd investor there are great real estate opportunities to be had in the city. As an investor one the best times to invest is when everybody is running in the other direction.
What Detroit needs is an economic catalyst and it will eventually find one. When it does the amazingly low real estate prices and access to intellectual capital will help revitalize the city.
IMO the shrewd investor would buy real estate there solely for the scrap value of whatever structure is on the land and deconstruct it so the old lumber can be reused for furniture or other purposes. Architectural salvage and brick can be resold, and the rest scrapped.
Are you talking about the Chicago Metro? You had better check your facts
You failed to mention Will County Illinois being one of the fastest growing counties in America.
I happen to be from Chicago and Cook County and the city is absolutley the best American City in this country.
If you have never been here , check it out.
Did you know that Chicago is an Alpha City?
Never thought I would see the day someone actually compares population counts from Nebraska
but have fun
If you get a chance come and see us here in Chicago and you would not be disappointed in the least.
IMO the shrewd investor would buy real estate there solely for the scrap value of whatever structure is on the land and deconstruct it so the old lumber can be reused for furniture or other purposes. Architectural salvage and brick can be resold, and the rest scrapped.
Don't like Detroit, eh?
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