Center Line is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. An inner-ring suburb of Detroit, Center Line is located roughly north of downtown Detroit, and is entirely surrounded by the larger city of Warren. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 8,552. The theory is that the French named it "Center Line" because it was the middle of three Potawatomi trails from Fort Detroit to northern trading posts. The "center line" was the trail used from Detroit to Utica. The community received its initial start when Catholics decided to build a church so that they would not have to walk to St. Mary's in Detroit for Sunday Mass. This church (St. Clement's) was established in 1854 and attracted more Catholic settlers into the area. In 1863, the first general store was constructed by Joeseph Buechel.

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Center Line had a population of 8,552. The median age was 41.9 years. 20.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 86.3 males age 18 and over.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 3,784 households in Center Line, of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 28.3% were married-couple households, 24.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 39.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 8,257 people, 3,632 households, and 1,988 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,920 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 82.5% White, 12.0% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.7% of the population.

There were 3,632 households, of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.0% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.3% were non-families. 40.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 27.5% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

85.9% of residents 25 or older hold a high school degree. 10.8% of residents 25 or older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median household income was $30,752. 21.3% of the population lives below the federal poverty line.

2000 census

As of the census The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,677, and the median income for a family was $47,241. Males had a median income of $39,947 versus $26,487 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,066. About 10.6% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.9% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Annual events

The Center Line Independence Festival is a celebration of the community's ongoing independence from the community that surrounds it (i.e., Warren, MI), and the nation's independence. The event began in 2016, the community's 80th Birthday celebration, and continues as an annual celebration of an incorporated city with live bands, carnival, arts and crafts, children's events and activities, local food vendors and restaurants, beer tent, and its always popular fireworks display.

Historical markers

Two recognized Michigan historical markers are at:

  • St. Clement Catholic Church
  • St. Clement Catholic Cemetery

Politics

The mayor of Center Line is Bob Binson.

Center Line is within Michigan's 10th Congressional District and Republican John James is the congressional representative. Center Line is within Michigan's 10th Senate District and Democrat Paul Wojno is the senator. Center Line is within Michigan's 14th House of Representatives District and is represented by Democrat Donavan McKinney.

Center Line voters lean towards the Democratic Party. In the 2014 midterm elections, 63.7% of voters chose Gary Peters (D) over 27.8% for Terri Lynn Land (R). Statewide results were 55% for Peters and 41% for Land. In a closer race, 56.4% chose Mark Schauer (D) over 39.1% for Rick Snyder (R). Statewide results were 47% for Schauer and 51% for Snyder.

Education

Most Center Line residents are zoned to schools in Center Line Public Schools, including Center Line High School. A small portion of the city is in Van Dyke Public Schools, served by Lincoln High School.

St. Clement Catholic School, of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, was in Center Line. It was established in 1857. It had 110 students in the 2009-2010 year, and then 12 teachers and 89 students in its final year, 2010-2011. The parish decided to close the school as a parish takes a greater share of the costs if the number of students is under 100.<!--Former website was at https://web.archive.org/web/20100125172212/http://www.stclementcc.org/-->

The archdiocese operated St. Clement High School in Center Line. It closed in 2005. Macomb Christian Schools (MCS) occupied the old St. Clement High School building from 2017 until 2019, when MCS shutdown.

Infrastructure

Main highways

  • runs east and west, on the north end of the city.
  • leads northerly into the Van Dyke Freeway and runs north and south, from 9 1/2 Mile Rd. (Stephens) to 11 Mile Rd. (I-696).
  • East-west travel is mainly on the mile roads, that is 10 Mile Road which runs through the center of the community, and 11 Mile Road on the north border (Warren). See Mile Road System (Detroit).

References

  • Center Line, MI Historical Information