Top Features in Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the largest city in Michigan. Here, the neoclassical Detroit Institute of Arts is in its downtown core, an establishment known for the Detroit Industry Murals painted by Diego Rivera. In addition, one of the things that Detroit is most famous for is the auto industry, hence the city’s nickname, the “Motor City.” Detroit is also where Motown Records got its start, with a chart-topping history on display at their original headquarters: Hitsville U.S.A.
Facts
- Detroit is called the Motor City for good reason. It was where the first mile of the concrete highway was located, the very first four-way three-color traffic light, and the world’s first urban freeway.
- This city is also the site of the Detroit Windsor Tunnel, with the first traffic tunnel located between the United States and Canada.
- Detroiters are known for enjoying their spirits. During Prohibition, about 75 percent of illegal liquor supplied to the nation was smuggled through Detroit’s waterways.
- Detroit is known for having the nation’s oldest soda: Vernor’s ginger ale.
- One of Detroit’s famous attractions is the 987-acre Belle Isle Park, the largest island park in the U.S.
- Detroit ranks first in the country in potato chip consumption per capita.
- Many musicians call Detroit home, like Aretha Franklin, The White Stripes, Aaliyah, Eminem, Madonna, and Kid Rock.
History/Data
In 1701, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac established a fort and settlement in the area now known as Detroit, which became its official founding. The name translates to “strait” in French and comes from the narrow river that connects Lake St. Clair with Lake Erie in Michigan. In 1760, the control of the region was passed onto the British.
In 2019, it was determined that the population of Detroit was 674,841 people.
LGBTQ+ Facts
Detroit achieved a perfect score, according to the latest report from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Based in Washington, D.C., this civil rights organization surveyed and analyzed cities across the United States. They evaluate factors like local non-discrimination laws, providing transgender-inclusive health benefits for employees of the city, and giving LGBTQ+-inclusive city services.
On a 100-point scale, Detroit received a score of 100.
The most LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhood in metro Detroit is Ferndale. This area of the city is home to many LGBTQ+ organizations, businesses, and locals. In addition, Ferndale is where you can find the Affirmations community center, Matrix MAC Health (formerly the Michigan AIDS Coalition), and various other LGBTQ+ and progressive nonprofit organizations. If you are looking to venture into this neighborhood, it is located north of Detroit, between 8 and 10 Mile roads via the Woodward corridor. Finding this area isn’t too challenging as you can access it from major highways.
Mental Health in Detroit, Michigan
In the Detroit-Warren-Livonia MSA, 382,000 people ages 12 or older were diagnosed with substance use disorder during the past year. By comparison, it was similar to the overall rate in Michigan but higher than the rate in all of the U.S. For adults 18 or older in this region, 6.9 percent (231,000 adults) suffered from a major depressive episode during the past year. Again, comparatively, this rate was similar to the rates in Michigan and the nation.
If you are looking for a psychologist for kids in the Detroit area, be sure to browse through our listings at LGBTQ and ALL. We have compiled a list of all the most qualified health care providers in this city.