Title Page and Contents

University City - Woodbridge Historic Area Together

III. COMMUNITY PROFILE

As seen in the timeline above, Woodbridge has seen significant dislocations of its housing stock and population, especially over the last fifty years. The extent of these changes can be seen more clearly by examining census data for Woodbridge during this time period. The following profile tracks these changes from 1950 to the 2000 census.

The 1960 census for Woodbridge shows a large decrease in available housing units in the area. In nineteen-fifty, 9,276 dwellings were identified in the area. In 1960, only 2,892 total dwelling units were identified. That was a loss of 6,384 units in ten years. During the same time period, Woodbridge saw a loss in overall population from 28,634 to 25,453.

Woodbridge experienced another major population loss between 1960 to 1990; as did the rest of Detroit (Figure 2 and 3). However, this loss was not proportional to that experienced by the entire city. While Detroit's decline has been steady over time, the Woodbridge decline has been more abrupt. The area saw its biggest loss between 1960 to 1970, a 43% reduction over ten years. The 1970 total population, 14,572, was only half the 1950 population. Between 1970 and 1980 there was a further drop to 3,000 residents, an 80% total decline. It is fair to say that much of this population loss was due to earlier urban renewal in the area.

Yet the 2000 census figures give hope for a Woodbridge revival, with an increase in population to 3,189, a 6% gain. In contrast, the rest of the city continues to decline. The Detroit population dropped from 1,027,974 in 1990 to 951,270 in 2000. So, while Woodbridge saw a 6% increase, Detroit saw a 7% decrease.

Figure 2: Woodbridge total Population

Figure 3: Detroit total Population

In addition to total population changes, both Woodbridge and Detroit saw changes in race over time (see figures 4 and 5). It is important to note that although Black and White populations declined in Woodbridge between 1970 and 2000, the Black population declined more dramatically. This was particularly true during the Urban Renewal period.

Figure 4: Woodbridge: Racial Distribution

Figure 5: Detroit: Racial Distribution

For a clear image of Woodbridge, it is helpful to look at the most complete data available. This is the 1990 Census Data (see Table 2). By the end of 2002, complete data from the most recent census will be publicly available.

Table 2: 1990 U.S. Census Data

Woodbridge Detroit

Number Percent Number Percent

Racial Distribution

White 655 22% 212,278 21%

Black 2.251 75% 774,529 75%

Other 94 3% 41,167 4%

Age

Under 5 years 274 9% 93,109 9%

5-9 years 209 7% 79,646 8%

10-14 years 201 6% 78,865 8%

15-19 years 191 6% 85,856 8%

More than 20 years 1,131 72% 690,498 67%

Employed

Total number employed 914 355,462

Professional, technical 379 42% 75,803 21%

Clerical, kindred workers 83 9% 65,434 18%

Sales workers 68 7% 28,578 8%

Operatives, kindred workers 21 2% 3,556 1%

Service Workers 147 16% 65,460 18%

Laborers 216 24% 98,358 28%

Household Income

Less than $5,000 293 24% 60,104 16%

$5,000-$9,999 289 24% 60,692 16%

$10,000-$14,999 85 7% 40,846 11%

$15,000-$24,999 166 13% 61,515 17%

$25,000-$34,999 111 9% 48,501 13%

$35,000-$49,999 138 11% 50,922 14%

$50,000-$74,999 134 11% 36,093 10%

$75,000-$99,999 0 0% 10,524 >1 %

$100,000-$149,999 8 1% 3,685 1%

$150,000 or more 0 0% 975 >1%

Poverty Status

Persons Above 1,188 41% 328,467 32%

Persons Below 1,744 59% 685,013 68%

Housing

Total Dwelling Units 1,631 410,027

Owner Occupied 320 20% 197,929 48%

Renter Occupied 1,012 62% 176,128 43%

Vacant 299 18% 35,970 9%

As you can see from Table 2, Woodbridge is similar to the city in many ways. The racial, income and age distributions of both the community and the city are very similar. However, the housing distribution is somewhat different. Woodbridge has a higher percentage of renters than the city as a whole. Also, Woodbridge has a lower percentage of people living below poverty, despite its substantial low-income (working poor) population. As the 2000 census data is released, it will be interesting to see how Woodbridge changes or remains the same, and to what degree issues of interest to renters and the working poor remain relevant to the community.

Note: Changes in census tract boundaries make it difficult to create a consistent historical portrait of the Woodbridge Historic Area. There is no equivalent tract in any census before 1990. However, by using the Geographic Information System, several tracts have been combined to create a close representation of boundaries that define Woodbridge. Therefore, the figures presented prior to 1990 are probably overstatements of the area's actual figures.

White	655	22%	212,278	21%
Black	2.251	75%	774,529	75%
Other	94	3%	41,167	4%

Under 5 years	274	9%	93,109	9%
5-9 years	209	7%	79,646	8%
10-14 years	201	6%	78,865	8%
15-19 years	191	6%	85,856	8%
More than 20 years	1,131	72%	690,498	67%

Total number employed	914		355,462
Professional, technical	379	42%	75,803	21%
Clerical, kindred workers	83	9%	65,434	18%
Sales workers	68	7%	28,578	8%
Operatives, kindred workers	21	2%	3,556	1%
Service Workers	147	16%	65,460	18%
Laborers	216	24%	98,358	28%

Less than $5,000	293	24%	60,104	16%
$5,000-$9,999	289	24%	60,692	16%
$10,000-$14,999	85	7%	40,846	11%
$15,000-$24,999	166	13%	61,515	17%
$25,000-$34,999	111	9%	48,501	13%
$35,000-$49,999	138	11%	50,922	14%
$50,000-$74,999	134	11%	36,093	10%
$75,000-$99,999	0	0%	10,524	>1 %
$100,000-$149,999	8	1%	3,685	1%
$150,000 or more	0	0%	975	>1%

Persons Above	1,188	41%	328,467	32%
Persons Below	1,744	59%	685,013	68%

Total Dwelling Units	1,631		410,027
Owner Occupied	320	20%	197,929	48%
Renter Occupied	1,012	62%	176,128	43%
Vacant	299	18%	35,970	9%