Birmingham, Bloomfield, Troy. Three distinct communities located in Oakland County, Michigan  

All three of these locations are located in Oakland County. Oakland county has the distinct honor of being in the top 10 wealthiest counties in America. Many of America's "movers and shakers" live here. Although we are the car capital of the world, many are surprised to find that the Detroit area's second biggest industry is film production! We shoot more film every year (in the form of auto presentations, educational corporate training, etc.) than Hollywood, California!  

Long before the automotive industry became rooted in Oakland County, enterprising professionals and businesspeople had discovered the natural resources and inherent potential in what was to become Oakland County. Prior to the first permanent settlers in the area, Native American tribes such as Ojibwa, Chippewa, Ottawa, and Potawatomi traveled the Saginaw Trail and camped at Apple Island, Saginaw Plains and other beautiful spots in the region. In fact, many of Oakland County's main transportation routes had their origins as Native American trails: the Saginaw Trail(now Woodward Avenue), the Shiawassee Trail(which follows the current Orchard Lake Road) and Grand River Trail. 

In 1818, the Pontiac Company was organized by a group of enterprising Detroit and Macomb County men for the purpose of purchasing land and laying a town. In the fall of that same year, an exploring group of prominent professionals and businessmen from Detroit came up the Saginaw Trail on horseback and camped the first night in what is now Royal Oak. These men are credited with naming most of the lakes in what are now Bloomfield and West Bloomfield. 

Oakland County was officially organized on January 12, 1819. The first official census of Oakland County was taken in 1820 and counted 330 persons. Within ten years the population grew to 4,911 and by 1840 it was 23,646. In 1870, the county had the fifth largest population in the state. The 2000 U.S. Census reports 1,194,256 persons living in Oakland County, which is the 2nd highest population for counties in the state, and 26th in the United States. For more than 175 years,Oakland County has served as an example of the pioneering, entrepreneurial spirit. This spirit informs Oakland County's past and enthuses its future. 

Oakland County Demographics 

Population  

Total Population 1,194,156
Square Miles(land) 874.51
Population per square mile 1,368.64 

Gender  

Male 584,660
Female 609,496 

Age  

15 or younger 252,191
16-24 134,863
25-44 387,242
45-64 284,901
65+ 134,959 

Average age(years) 36.57 

Race and Ethnicity 

White 988,194
Black or African American 120,720
American Indian or Alaska native 3,270
Asian 49,402
Native Hawaiian 295
Some other race 10,064
Two or more races 22,211
Hispanic or Latino 28,999 

Birmingham is a small community with true small town quaintness mixed with upscale commerce. The Community was settled in 1819 as part of Bloomfield Township. In 1836, a local foundry owner, Roswell Merrill, envisioned the community having a prosperous industrial future and proposed re-naming it after Birmingham, England, birthplace of the industrial revolution. This new name was adopted in 1838. Although the vision was not entirely realized, Birmingham prospered as a retreat for wealthy businessmen and played a significant role in the development of the auto industry, gaining notoriety as a prominent business area. 

Today, the City of Birmingham is a vibrant, prosperous community with a population of approximately 20,000. Walking down main street you will find all the top fashion designers, some of the country's hottest home archetects, cutting edge computer technology,... and Birmingham's art galleries rival the best in the nation. The restaurants are fabulous, ("4 star" chefs in most), diversified and abundant throughout downtown Birmingham.  

Surrounding downtown, Birmingham suburbia homes range from small cottage types to 10,000+ square foot mansions. Residents of these homes take full advantage of the bountiful recreational and park faciliites. Within the city of Birmingham, there are 22 parks that span across 300 acres, 10 percent of the city's total acreage. Shain Park, at the center of the downtown area, is the site of many special events including Village Fair, concerts, art fairs, and the Winterfest ice sculpturing exhibition. In six other Birmingham parks, nine baseball/softball diamonds are utilized by both individuals and organized teams of men's and women's leagues. For the tennis buff, 20 outdoor tennis courts are located in six Birmingham parks. There is also the Birmingham Tennis Bubble which features six indoor courts and a clubhouse with all the amenities during its 32-week season. With still more tennis courts, the Birmingham school district also provides residents with playgrounds, picnic facilities, Little League sports, swimming programs, athletic fields, and walking/jogging trails. Birmingham schools are second to none. Along with the public schools are private schools such as Eton Academy, Gateway Montessori, Holy Name, Our Shepard Lutheran, and The Roeper Schools. They support local sports as well as acedemia. 

While visiting Birmingham, don't forget to check out the community center for local info. Many art shows and fairs are planned throughout the year. If you would like, please feel free to email me for a Birmingham events calendar.

Bloomfield Hills is one of the most wealthy communites in the USA. Rolling hills, small lakes and wonderfully designed houses nestle on treed acerage. Many estates are "hidden" in the Hills. It is the home of Cranbrook University, one of the country's most exclusive private schools of higher learning. Cranbrook has its own museum, planetarium and even a world class theatre for the arts. 

Bloomfield Hills is known for those who highly desire privacy and elegant living. As for solitude, some of the larger estates in Bloomfield Hills,(10,000 square feet and up) are so hidden that you would never know they are there. Bloomfield Hills has no downtown, but with Birmingham as its next door neighbor, the natives don't seem to mind. 

"Kirk in the Hills", a massive gothic church of architectual magnificence, is located in the heart of Bloomfield Hills backing to a beautiful private lake. (see pic). The original building and acerage was donated by a land baron with the condition that he be buried in the foyer of the main Cathedral.
Bloomfield Hills "proper" is truely a scene of timeless beauty where rolling landscapes and majestic structures abound. Mix all this with a approximate price range of $500,000 to 20 million dollars, Bloomfield Hills is a one of a kind community.

                                   

                         "The Collection" Home of Saks 5th Ave. and Neiman Marcus

The city of Troy has a totally different flavor. Of the top 25, Troy is the 12th safest city in America (www.governmentguide.com).Troy is " the city of tomorrow" (official City of Troy motto),and for good reason. A balanced community, rich in cultural diversity, community wellness & economic vitality, Troy boasts upscale, quality shopping and entertainment, a mix of high-rise and low-rise Class A office space, and light industrial and research parks. Troy has a 2 mile stretch of road called Big Beaver that has been nicknamed the "golden corridor". Along the "corridor" you will find not only 5 major corporation world headquarters but also "THE" Somerset Collection. Too cool to be called a mall, the Collection contains such store names as Neiman Marcus, Saks 5th Avenue, Tiffany's, etc. With all this action, Troy becomes the 5th largest transferee market in the midwest with over 44% of all sales due to corporate tranfer. Major express arteries also intersect the Corridor making Troy very attractive to business.  

                                    
                                             National Favorite "Watering Hole"



Troy's school system is second to none (click Top rated school reports for Troy, Michigan). Troy is a vibrant community with a strong sense of civic pride and a wide variety of neighborhoods. With its highly-recognized schools, one general aviation airport, and many local parks, this community provides a wide variety of lifestyle options for its residents.  

I've added a more detailed page on each community plus a page on the Tri-county area (Oakland, Wayne and Macomb) which comprises all of Metro Detroit. You are cordially invited to browse through my website for more informative and valuable real estate information.

It's my job to know EVERYTHING about the Troy, Bloomfield and Birmingham areas! In fact, anywhere in Oakland and Macomb counties! Ask me any question. Or request a FREE information package. There's no obligation, and I promise to get back to you quickly...