Livonia, MI

As the eighth-largest community in the state, Livonia, Michigan, has an estimated population of 94,000 residents. Part of the Detroit metropolitan area, Livonia is located only an estimated two miles from the western city limits of the main metropolis.

Covering just more than 35 square miles, the city has only 0.1 square miles of water. Because of the city's excellent parks, sports grounds, recreation facilities, and school systems, many residents consider Livonia an excellent place to live.

Just over 88 percent of Livonia's residents have acquired a high school diploma. Overall, the city enjoys an education level that is higher than the national average of 15 percent. The percentage of residents in Livonia with a bachelor's degree or better is estimated to be about 30 percent; nearly 10 percent of the residents have a graduate or professional degree.

A number of accolades have been bestowed upon Livonia, Michigan. Recognized by the FBI as the seventh-safest city in the country, Livonia has also been named by Population Connection, a grassroots group, as the second-best "Kid Friendly Place in the Nation." On top of these awards, Livonia was rated the second "Least Economic Stressful City" by American City Business Journals.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Business and industry are prominent aspects of Livonia's present and future. Considered Detroit's most business-friendly community, Livonia offers a six-square-mile industrial district, accented by a major railroad and a major highway for easy access to Detroit and other commercial areas. To maintain Livonia's commitment as an industrial leader, the city has implemented a number of new ventures with respect to technology and printing in the area.

Many entrepreneurs consider Livonia to be one of the best places for businesses to start up and operate because of the convenient and strategic locations of most of the city's companies. The city has a low rate of unemployment, at 3.2 percent, and many opportunities in the skilled and specialized trades.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Established as a farming community, Livonia has transformed itself into a vibrant economic and residential area. Throughout its evolution, the city has been able to maintain the look and feel of a small town. With its intentionally unstructured downtown area, Livonia offers shops and stores that are convenient to residents. This setup allows for the definition of unique neighborhoods that are situated and established within one to two blocks of major thoroughfares.

Many residents speak well of the sense of community they find in the city's neighborhoods. The city does not have many renters, and some residents consider the community loyalty to be evident in the fact that more than 90 percent of the homes in Livonia are owner-occupied.

There are more than 122 neighborhoods spanning the city of Livonia, including Mayflower Village, Acorn Valley, Forest Trails, and Windsor Park. Executive-styled homes can be found in Livonia's more recently developed areas; newly constructed condominiums have been particularly appealing to the older citizens of the city.

EDUCATION

Livonia is home to a number of public and private schools:

• Almost 20,000 students attend the area's 34 public schools, and more than 1,000 teachers provide their education. In addition to the 30 standard schools, the area boasts a vocation school, 2 specialty schools, an alternative school, 3 Title 1 schools, and a charter school.
• Livonia's 10 private schools enroll more than 2,000 students and include 5 regular schools, 2 Montessori schools, and 3 early childhood programs. More than 100 teachers are employed by these schools.

The city also has a few institutions of higher learning:

• Schoolcraft College (4,780 full-time students)
• Madonna University (2,431)
• Virginia Farrell Beauty School (80)

Other specialty schools in the area include the Michigan Institute of Real Estate and International Bartending-Michigan.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

There are a number of things to see and do in Livonia and the surrounding areas.

• The city has set aside 1,800 acres for recreation, including 46 municipal parks, 3 city golf courses, 22 playgrounds, 42 baseball fields, 2 indoor ice rinks, the Livonia Recreation Center, 33 tennis courts, and 27 soccer fields.
• History buffs will appreciate the city of Livonia for its Greenmead Historical Village. Greenmead has been preserving the city's history for years, and the group's efforts include preserving some of the original city buildings, dated from the 1850s.
• For dining and shopping, Livonia has 200 restaurants within its city limits, and shopping enthusiasts can't go wrong at Laurel Park Place Mall or Town Peddler.
• Livonia has a number of other attractions, including plenty of opportunities for arts, culture, and entertainment. These include Livonia Farmers Market, open Wednesday and Saturdays from May through October; Greenmead Historical Park, which features buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places; and Art Is In Market, which touts itself as a "year-round art fair."

LOCAL MEDIA

Residents are kept up to date on Livonia events and news through one primary local media source: the Livonia Observer. This newspaper covers local new and enjoys a circulation of 16,178.