Historically southwest Detroit has been one of the most ethnically diverse and densely populated areas of the city of Detroit. 
The Ford Rouge plant and its five-dollar-a-day wage brought Appalachian, African-American, German, Italian, Hungarian, Romanian, Irish, Armenian, and other Eastern European immigrants to settle in southwest Detroit – creating the traditional blue collar neighborhood that remains viable to this day. While the entire city of Detroit has faced considerable decline over the past thirty years, southwest Detroit has continued to attract immigrants – mostly Hispanic families – and has maintained a sense of community and economic vitality. Southwest Detroit is located right outside of downtown and possesses some of the strongest neighborhood commercial districts in the city.
West Vernor Highway connects much of the community and serves as the area’s main street offering everything from ethnic groceries to clothing and entertainment. The housing stock in southwest Detroit consists of mainly wood frame houses dating back to the early 1900’s. While housing has been steadily lost to demolition, neighborhoods remain dense and several housing projects are in progress and others planned in the area. Southwest Detroit is also home to a strong network of human service agencies which have been successful in providing for a large number of economically or socially disadvantaged residents. Southwest Detroit is an exciting area for many reasons: its ethnic diversity, strong commercial districts, dense residential areas, successful cultural and community organizations and many former residents still loyal to the old neighborhood – all suggesting its potential for revitalization.
Also be sure to visit several essays about the communities that make up southwest Detroit at Model D:
Businesses and investments in the community:
Living and working in southwest Detroit:
Things to do and learn in the community featuring community history and culture:
