Novi, Michigan

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. The City of Novi and Novi Township are separate governmental units.

Novi is one of the fastest growing 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. In actuality, the city has 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 is currently 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. Recently, 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, have preserved 253 acres of environmentally sensitive areas.

Contents

1 History 2 Geography 3 Shopping 3.1 Similiar Cities 4 Demographics 5 Government 6 External links

History

The City of Novi was incorporated in 1969 along the boundaries of the then-existing Village of Novi. The approval of incorporation 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 weren't fully resolved until 1984.

Historic Sites

• Fuerst Farmstead: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• Tollgate Farm: 160 acre (650,000 m²) farmstead
• Colonel Samual White Homestead: Site includes a Michigan Historical Marker
• Novi Depot: Portion of the original railroad depot constructed in 1871 for the Holly, Wayne and Monroe Railroad (currently CSX railroad).
• Historic Township Hall: Located adjacent to Furest Farmstead

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.

Geography

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.

Shopping

Twelve Oaks Mall: 180 stores including Lord & Taylor, Marshall Fields, JC Penny and Sears.

Novi Fountain Walk: 50 stores including Van's Skate Park, Emagine Theater and The Second City.

Novi Town Center: Mervyn’s, Linens ‘N’ Things, Pier 1 Imports and restaurants.

Main Street Novi: Two story outdoor shopping/food.

Similiar Cities

• Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
• Birmingham, Michigan
• West Bloomfield, Michigan
• Rochester Hills, Michigan
• Farmington Hills, Michigan
• Troy, Michigan

Demographics

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.

Government

Novi's government is a council-manager system with a weak mayor. The City Council consists of the mayor, elected for a two-year term, and six council members, elected for four-year terms. The mayor has largely ceremonial duties but also has the same voting powers as the council members. The City Council is responsible for hiring a city manager, who oversees the day-to-day business of running the city. The Council also approves the city budget, sets city policies and ordinances. The first City Charter was adopted by the voters in 1969. The last major charter revision was in 1977.

External links

• City of Novi home page (http://www.ci.novi.mi.us/)
• Novi Information Network (http://www.novi.org/)
• On the name Novi (http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty;cc=micounty;sid=eee1b119eae8784addfac0cfaf2bb1c8;q1=Novi;cite1=Oakland%20County;cite1restrict=title;op2=and;op3=and;rgn=full%20text;idno=bad1028.0001.001;view=image;seq=00000534) in History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley. (1912)
• Founding of Novi (http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=micounty;cc=micounty;sid=5af8cacf1295834637704a42851abef1;q1=Novi;cite1=Oakland%20County;cite1restrict=title;op2=and;op3=and;rgn=pages;idno=AFK0725.0001.001;view=image;seq=00000346) in History of Oakland County, Michigan., Durant, Samuel W. 1877