Romeo is a village in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,767 at the 2020 census. The name was suggested by the wife of local merchant Nathaniel Taylor because it was "short, musical, classical and uncommon." Romeo celebrated its 175th anniversary on March 9, 2013.

thumb|[[Panoramic map of Romeo with list of landmarks, 1868]]

Romeo once served as a trading center for the timber industry, and had many mills processing lumber from the region. Many wealthy timber families resided there. Dozens of stately Victorian mansions survive. Romeo is distinct in the area for having a fairly robust, traditional downtown, which has never suffered a major fire. Because of this, some stores and restaurants downtown have features such as original tin ceilings from the Civil War. In the early 20th century, Romeo was the site of an early business devoted to the new automobile industry: the Detroit Auto Vehicle Company operated here from 1904 until 1908.

Geography

The village is in northwestern Macomb County, situated at the southeast corner of Bruce Township, with a portion extending south into Washington Township. Armada Township is adjacent to the east and Ray Township to the southeast. M-53 passes through the east side of the village, leading north to Imlay City and south to the eastern side of Detroit.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village of Romeo has a total area of , of which , or 0.10%, are water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Romeo had a population of 3,767. The median age was 41.7 years. 20.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 85.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 83.1 males age 18 and over.

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

There were 1,578 households in Romeo, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.8% were married-couple households, 17.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 3,596 people, 1,501 households, and 979 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 1,659 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 91.9% White, 3.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 1,501 households, of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the village was 40.9 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census

Tillson Street in Romeo is known for its elaborate Halloween decorations. Thousands trick-or-treat Tillson Street every Halloween to see the homeowners' one-of-a-kind Halloween stages.

On February 14 of each year, the village of Romeo offers a special dual postmark with the community of Juliette, Georgia. This tradition began in 1994, as a nod to the William Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet.

Notable people

  • Frank Bowerman, Major League Baseball catcher
  • Harold Courlander, writer, folklorist, and anthropologist
  • Edwin Henry Hackley, lawyer
  • Jill Ritchie, actress
  • Kid Rock, rapper
  • Tom Sharpe, drummer for Mannheim Steamroller and Dennis DeYoung
  • Ben Stephens, Major League Baseball pitcher
  • Henry Stephens, lumber baron

References

  • Romeo Historical Society
  • Romeo District Library
  • Romeo Downtown Development Authority
  • Starkweather Arts Center