Ann Arbor, MI is a vibrant city located in the state of Michigan. It is home to the University of Michigan, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the United States. It is also known for its diverse culture and lively arts scene, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
History
Ann Arbor was founded in 1824 by John Allen and Elisha W. Rumsey. These two explorers were drawn together while they searched through the Michigan forests, seeking the perfect place to call home. A fitting name for their new abode was found in the tribute to both of their wives, who shared the same name – Ann.
They set up camp near a hill and creek on section 29 in township 2 south, range 6 east and it was there that Mrs. Rumsey became mistress of the new home. This corner of the woods quickly grew and by year’s end its moniker became “Ann’s Arbor” after Mrs. Ann Allen arrived with her husband John Allen.
John Allen owned 320 acres north of Huron Street where he built a log house which soon morphed into a tavern known as “The Washtenaw Coffee House”. He also erected a block-house on the northwest corner of Main and Huron streets at what is now known as the Gregory Block. Ann Arbor had considerably grown thanks to Allen’s leadership and hard work – he was appointed as both its postmaster and justice of peace.
Population
Ann Arbor, MI is a vibrant and flourishing city, boasting a population of over 121,000 residents. The majority of the citizens are US-born (87.5%), with 19.7% being foreign-born. White (non-Hispanic) residents make up the largest racial demographic at 81.3k people – 3.91 times more than any other race or ethnicity.
Between 2019 and 2020, Ann Arbor’s population grew by 0.297%, while its median household income increased by 5.64%. This showed an impressive improvement in economic prosperity for local households that was not influenced by a potential multilingual presence across homes in the area. Evidence of this is seen in the fact that Michigan’s comparatively low inequality rate of 0.471 is lower than the national average, showing positive signs of financial fragility among citizens who are U.S.-born or foreign-born there alike.
Health
About 97.6% of its population is covered by health care plans, and 64.6% of those are employee plans. Others have Medicaid (7.78%), Medicare (8.48%), non-group plans (16.2%) or military or VA plans (0.513%).
Per capita personal health care spending in 2014 was $8,055, which is a 4% increase from the previous year’s amount ($7,745). Primary care physicians saw an average of 574 patients per year — 0.692% fewer than the previous year — while dentists saw about 545 patients per year and mental health providers saw 177 patients a year on average in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
Education
Ann Arbor is a great place to learn and explore, home to some of the nation’s top institutions for education. You’ll find the University of Michigan, one of the most renowned universities with groundbreaking research programs; Eastern Michigan University, a public university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees; and Washtenaw Community College, offering two-year associate degree programs and certificates. Plus, there are plenty of options for private schooling such as Ann Arbor Academy, Ann Arbor Montessori School, or Ann Arbor Waldorf School.
What’s more — you’ll have access to amazing libraries like the Ann Arbor District Library and the University of Michigan Library or take in some culture with venues like the Ann Arbor Museum of Art or the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra. With high-quality schools and libraries to choose from plus an array of cultural offerings, it’s no wonder that so many people choose to make their home in this wonderful city.
Transport
In Ann Arbor, Michigan, 51.5% of employees drove alone to work in 2020. An additional 17.1% walked and 12.4% worked from home – resulting in an average commute time of 19.7 minutes; significantly shorter than the normal US worker’s 26.9 minutes. Though a mere 0.599% have extreme “super commutes” greater than 90 minutes, the city boasts 304.5 miles of road overseen by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).
The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) outlines Ann Arbor’s vision for their transportation system and offers data on its public transportation usage, enabling the city to make better decisions about policy and infrastructure investments that support commuters while simultaneously helping protect the environment. The RTP enables both employees and non-employees alike to benefit from improved travel experiences offered by a smarter and cleaner transportation system – one that meets current needs while safeguarding future generations from more extreme commutes.
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From its lush parks like the Nichols Arboretum and Huron River to its unique restaurants and lively nightlife, there is something for everyone here. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing evening out strolling downtown Ann Arbor’s shopping district or an exciting game day experience at the University of Michigan Football Stadium, you’re sure to find it here.
But that’s not all Ann Arbor has to offer. Come explore state parks such as Gallup and Argo Canoe Livery, take in a show at the historic Michigan Theater, or visit one of the many museums around town like the Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum or University of Michigan Museum of Natural History. And when you’re done exploring, there’s always one more thing to check off your list: sample some local fare at any number of food markets and eateries in Ann Arbor! With so much to do and see in this vibrant city, your next trip should be to Ann Arbor.