Introduction

Livonia is a city in Wayne County, Michigan with a population of 94,471 as of the 2020 census. Originally a township, Livonia was incorporated as a city in 1950 and experienced rapid growth in the decades after World War II.

Livonia attracted middle class families from Detroit with its affordable homes, good schools, economic opportunities and relative racial homogeneity.

Today, Livonia remains a stable middle class community known for its family-friendly neighborhoods and quality school districts.

Population and Households

As of the 2020 census, Livonia had a population of 94,471 residents living in 38,184 households. The racial makeup of the city is 87.1% White, 5.4% African American, 4.7% Asian, 0.3% Native American and 0.1% Pacific Islander.

Additionally, 3.5% of residents identify as two or more races. The median age is 42.8 years old.

In terms of households, 70.4% are family households while 29.6% are non-family households.

The average household size is 2.45 people and the homeowner vacancy rate is 0.7%. The median household income is $66,494, which is higher than both the Michigan and national averages.

Notable Demographic Trends

Some notable demographic shifts in Livonia over the past few decades include:

• Declining population after peak of 104,814 residents in 1970
• Growing Asian population from 0.6% in 1980 to 4.7% in 2020
• Aging population with median age rising from 33.8 in 1990 to 42.8 in 2020

Neighborhoods and Housing

Livonia contains over 30 neighborhoods and subdivisions, most built between the 1950s and 1970s. Some of the larger neighborhoods by population include:

• Westland – Roughly 13,500 residents
• Plymouth-Canton – 10,000 residents
• Clarenceville – 8,500 residents

The housing stock in Livonia is primarily single family homes on 1/4 to 1 acre lots along with some condominiums, apartments and mobile home parks. Key facts about housing in the city:

• 86% owner occupied homes, 14% renter occupied
• Median home value of $195,800 as of 2021
• Majority of homes have 3-4 bedrooms
• Average year homes built is 1964

Economy and Industry

Livonia has long had a diversified economy with major employers in manufacturing, retail, healthcare and technology sectors. Some key facts about the city’s economy include:

• Largest employers:
  • St. Mary Mercy Hospital (4,900+ employees)
  • Ford Motor Company (2,500+ employees)
  • Trinity Health (2,100+ employees)
• Median household income is $20k higher than Michigan average
• 4.1% unemployment rate as of December 2022
• 19 hotels with over 2,000 rooms contribute over $4 million annually in tax revenue
• Over 800 businesses along major commercial corridors

The largest industries by share of total employment are:

1. Healthcare and Social Assistance (19%)
2. Manufacturing (17%)
3. Retail Trade (11%)
4. Professional and Technical Services (8%)
5. Accommodation and Food Services (7%)

Income and Poverty

As a predominantly middle class community, Livonia enjoys relatively low poverty rates and moderate incomes.

• Median household income of $66,494
• Per capita income of $33,324
• Only 6.7% of residents live below the poverty line

However, there are still hundreds of low income families struggling to get by in Livonia. Major contributing factors include job losses, under employment, rising housing costs and medical expenses.

Local non-profits provide critical support services from temporary housing to job training programs. Expanding affordable housing options remains an important priority for city leaders and community organizations.

Education

Livonia Public Schools (LPS) provides K-12 education to most students in the city. LPS is composed of 17 elementary schools, 5 middle schools and 4 high schools.

Other districts serving portions of Livonia include Plymouth-Canton Community Schools and Clarenceville School District.

In addition, there are over a dozen private schools in Livonia along with Madonna University, a Catholic liberal arts college. Education levels of residents are higher than average:

• 94% have high school diploma
• 38% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

Livonia schools are highly ranked with graduation rates consistently over 90%. The community passed a $195 million bond in 2014 to fund building improvements demonstrating strong support for public education.

Transportation

Livonia developed around the automobile industry and as a result has an extensive transportation network. Key components include:

• Interstate 96 and Interstate 275 passing through the city
• Amtrak station in western Livonia
• Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) bus system
• Comprehensive sidewalks, trails and pathways for pedestrian and bicyclists
• Close proximity to Detroit Metro Airport

The average commute time is 25 minutes indicating good regional access. However, most residents rely on personal vehicles as their primary transportation method.

Expanding mass transit is an important priority to reduce congestion and environmental impact.

Public Safety

Livonia has low crime rates and excellent public safety services including:

• Professionally trained police department with 135 sworn officers
• Average police response time of just over 3 minutes
• Livonia Fire Department operates 5 stations for rapid response
• Violent crimes are 1/3 of the national average
• Property crime rate less than half the national rate
• Top 3 reported crimes:
  1. Larceny/theft
  2. Destruction of property
  3. Vehicle theft

Proactive community outreach programs like the Youth Assistance Program and Police Athletic League (PAL) focus on positively engaging Livonia youth.

Municipal Government

Livonia utilizes a council-manager style government. The city council consists of 7 members elected to staggered 4-year terms. The mayor is elected to a 2-year term and votes on the council. Key responsibilities include:

• Establishing city laws, ordinances, tax rates and budgets
• Providing vision and guidance for new policies and initiatives
• Overseeing city departments and staff

The city council appoints a city manager to serve as Chief Administrative Officer overseeing day-to-day municipal operations and implementing the council’s priorities. Livonia’s strong financial management has maintained a AAA credit rating since 1998.

Conclusion

Livonia is emblematic of many mature, inner-ring suburbs. While no longer growing rapidly, it has stabilized as a middle-class community with a strong economy, quality schools, and low crime rates.

Affordability issues remain a concern forcing young adults and seniors to often look elsewhere. However, Livonia retains excellent fundamentals.

By adapting to emerging challenges, the city is poised to remain an attractive place to live, work and visit for decades to come.