Population 7,008 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in River Rouge
Household size in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.76 | 2.63 | 2.58 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.75 | 2.63 | 2.58 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.40 | 2.58 | 2.53 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.57 | 2.57 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.19 | −0.07 | −0.06 | −0.03 |
Households in River Rouge average 2.57 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Household size has dropped from 2.76 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 33.3 | 39.0 | 38.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 34.0 | 40.1 | 40.1 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.1 | 40.9 | 41.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.3 | 41.0 | 41.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.0 | +2.1 | +2.4 | +2.3 |
River Rouge is young: half of its residents are under 35.3, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young adults and children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 33.3, mirroring the country. Only 18 of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.0% | 12.1% | 11.3% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 29.3% | 12.3% | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 17.8% | 11.3% | 10.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 11.2% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in seven households in River Rouge (14.8%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 7.2 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only 27 of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in River Rouge
Renters in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.8% | 26.7% | 25.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 43.1% | 30.2% | 28.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.1% | 31.0% | 28.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 42.7% | 28.8% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.1 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Just over four in ten households in River Rouge rent their homes (42.7%), above the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 68.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 2.1 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only 20 of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.2% | 11.3% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 24.8% | 11.2% | 13.0% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 22.5% | 10.0% | 11.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.9% | 8.3% | 10.2% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.4 pts | −3.1 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
More homes sit empty in River Rouge than nationally: 12.9%, against 9.6%. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy has fallen 8.4 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1944 | 1968 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1943 | 1969 | 1970 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1945 | 1969 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1947 | 1970 | 1972 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +2 | +3 | +6 |
The housing in River Rouge is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1947, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only four have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $631 | $952 | $833 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $646 | $1,005 | $886 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $668 | $1,123 | $978 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $887 | $1,373 | $1,228 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$255 | +$421 | +$395 | +$606 |
The median renter in River Rouge pays $887 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $255 a month since 2006–10, up 40%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 37.1% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in River Rouge
Bachelor's degrees in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.8% | 27.8% | 26.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 28.8% | 27.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 10.2% | 31.1% | 29.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 34.5% | 32.7% | 35.6% |
| Change | −0.8 pts | +6.7 pts | +6.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in River Rouge have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 7.0%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has edged down 0.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. No other Michigan city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 76.9% | 87.7% | 88.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 73.9% | 88.4% | 89.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 74.9% | 89.8% | 90.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 78.4% | 90.9% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | +3.2 pts | +3.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
More than one in five adults in River Rouge never finished high school, well above the national share: only 78.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people, only three have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in River Rouge
| Period | River Rouge | Detroit area | Michigan | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.4% | 12.7% | 11.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 26.2% | 12.8% | 11.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.3% | 6.8% | 6.1% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 6.7% | 5.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −13.9 pts | −5.9 pts | −5.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in River Rouge runs well above the national rate: 11.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only 11 of the 331 Michigan cities with 5,000+ people have higher unemployment. Unemployment is down 13.9 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
River Rouge compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Rouge | 2.57 | 35.3 | 14.8% | 42.7% | 12.9% | 1947 | $887 | 7.0% | 78.4% | 11.6% |
| Ecorse | 2.53 | 38.6 | 19.1% | 37.8% | 11.0% | 1953 | $846 | 9.0% | 71.4% | 8.2% |
| Melvindale | 3.24 | 29.7 | 11.1% | 39.2% | 8.9% | 1952 | $1,098 | 14.7% | 70.8% | 5.7% |
| Lincoln Park | 2.74 | 35.8 | 16.6% | 31.1% | 6.1% | 1954 | $1,175 | 10.9% | 80.2% | 8.3% |
| Allen Park | 2.40 | 42.6 | 10.7% | 12.7% | 5.9% | 1955 | $1,239 | 31.7% | 93.2% | 5.0% |
| Wyandotte | 2.29 | 40.8 | 12.8% | 26.3% | 7.8% | 1949 | $1,078 | 23.0% | 92.4% | 3.3% |
| Dearborn | 3.13 | 34.3 | 7.9% | 31.6% | 8.4% | 1951 | $1,394 | 33.3% | 82.7% | 6.7% |
| Southgate | 2.39 | 41.0 | 11.8% | 32.8% | 6.9% | 1967 | $1,294 | 21.7% | 88.4% | 4.4% |
| Taylor | 2.50 | 38.7 | 17.7% | 33.3% | 6.4% | 1966 | $1,235 | 15.3% | 86.2% | 7.7% |
| Riverview | 2.41 | 40.4 | 9.5% | 32.9% | 8.1% | 1971 | $1,302 | 20.5% | 91.3% | 3.1% |
| Dearborn Heights | 2.82 | 35.4 | 10.4% | 29.5% | 7.3% | 1959 | $1,396 | 24.3% | 89.0% | 7.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: New Lebanon, OH · Newland, NC · Newcastle, CA · New Windsor, MD · New Wilmington, PA · New Tazewell, TN · New Roads, LA · New Martinsville, WV · New Market, TN · New Lexington, OH
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up River Rouge. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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