A northern suburb of the Detroit Metro Region, the City of Troy, Michigan is the most populous city in Oakland County, and the 13th most populous municipality in the state.
Incorporating in 1955, Troy is one of Michigan's newest cities, but it is a center of business and industry, especially in the automotive and financial sectors. The city is home to several national and international corporations, as well as companies of various sizes. Its daily workforce is nearly twice that of its population.
The most significant route to, from, and through the city is I-75, which runs through the center of Troy. M-1 passes just southwest of its boundaries, while M-59 runs just north of Troy. 14 Mile Road serves as Troy's southern border with Madison Heights, while 20 Mile Road (South Boulevard) is its northern border with Rochester Hills. Adams Road forms most of the city's western border, and Dequindre Road forms its eastern border with Sterling Heights. Other routes include 15 Mile Road (Maple Road), 16 Mile Road (Big Beaver Road), 17 Mile Road (Wattles Road), 18 Mile Road (Long Lake Road), and 19 Mile Road (Square Lake Road).
Troy is abutted by Clawson, Birmingham, Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Rochester Hills, and Bloomfield Township.
Other cities and villages within twenty miles of Troy include Bloomfield Hills, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Hazel Park, Bingham Farms, Rochester, Lathrup Village, Pleasant Ridge, Huntington Woods, Franklin, Ferndale, Auburn Hills, Pontiac, Orchard Lake, Utica, Center Line, Sylvan Lake, Fraser, Oak Park, Keego Harbor, Highland Park, Warren, Hamtramck, Southfield, Farmington Hills, Lake Angelus, Walled Lake, Eastpointe, Roseville, Detroit, Lake Orion, Mt. Clemens, Wolverine Lake, and St. Clair Shores.
First appearing on a US census roll in 1960, with a population of 19,402, Troy has gained in populatation each decade since, for a population of 87,294 in 2020.
Johnson Niles, who later served one term in the Michigan House of Representatives and two terms in the Michigan Senate, is acknowledged as the founder of Troy. In 1819, he bought 160 acres of land in what is now the north-central area of Troy. Soon, others came to the area from New York and other Eastern states, some coming by wagon through Ohio, while others came via the Erie Canal and the Great Lakes. The new settlers cleared land and established farms, growing corn, wheat, melons, and various fruits, as well as raising dairy cattle and sheep for wool.
A post office was established on December 27, 1826, with Johnson Niles as the first postmaster. In 1838, Niles arranged to have a townsite platted and recorded as Hastings, probably for Eurotas P. Hastings, who was then president of the Michigan Bank.
The small settlement was often known as Troy Corners, named for the township, which had itself been named for the New York city by that name. The new settlement grew slowly, largely because concentrated settlements generally grew up around mills or railroads. The area of Troy didn't have enough hydropower to operate mills, and the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad bypassed Troy Corners. Consequently, a traditional downtown district never developed in Troy.
Between 1898 and 1931, the Detroit United Railroad did provide interurban electric trolley service through the community.
Industry and commerce came to Oakland County after World War II, and the population of Troy Township soared. With its population rising, Troy Township voters opted to incorporate as a city in order to prevent bordering cities from annexing portions of the township. At that time, it was named Troy.
The Troy Historic Village is a year-round, interactive history museum that chronicles the stages of Troy's growth, from its first settlers to the city as it is today. The Historic Village is situated behind the old city hall building on the corner of Livernois Road and Wattles Road. The Village includes a log and mud home used by early settlers, as well as an estate, an old schoolhouse, a general store, a blacksmith's shop, a church and parsonage, and the old city hall building, which serves as a general museum.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Metropolis of Detroit, is headquartered in Troy, which is also home to two of the largest Protestant churches in the United States, Kensington Community Church, and Woodside Bible Church.
Walsh College is in Troy, as are branches of the University of Phoenix, Northwood University, Central Michigan University, Spring Arbor University, Michigan State University, and the International Academy of Design and Technology.
Seven K-12 public school districts serve Troy, although Troy School District serves the majority of the city. Several private schools serving students in the K-12 range are also located within the city.
The focus of this portion of our web guide is on the City of Troy, Michigan.
Categories
Education & InstructionFaith & SpiritualityPeople & Society | Places to EatServices & IndustriesThings to Do & Places to Go |
Recommended Resources
A northern suburb of the Metro Detroit region, the city is the most populous city in Oakland County. The official municipal website offers information and contacts for the city offices, departments, and administrative offices. Other resources include maps and access to various forms, permits, applications, and the city's master plan, as well as a guide to development in the city. Also included is a guide to attractions, events, civic organizations, schools, and businesses within the city.
https://troymi.gov/
Oakland County Michigan Works! Troy
As one of six centers, the Troy facility assists in finding full-time employment, including assistance with funding for short-term training, career advice, and career assistance, with priority given to Oakland County residents. Partnering with the integrated County Workforce Development System, the organization lists available jobs and business services, schedules events and workshops, and offers a variety of job-seeker programs. Its location, contacts, and hours are posted.
https://troymichiganworks.com/
Published in Troy, Michigan the Oakland Press covers Oakland County. Founded as the Pontiac Gazette in 1843, the newspaper has changed names several times, taking its current name in 1972. Limited access to its content is published online, although full access to its content requires a subscription to its digital or print editions, the latter of which includes digital access. Contests, a local guide, marketplace, and a job classified section are featured, and advertising is available.
https://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Located off I-75 in the business and financial district of Troy, Michigan, the guest lodging facility featured two hundred and fifty boutique-style guest rooms and suites and offers a variety of amenities, such as a fitness center, an in-house restaurant, and a bar and grille. Its location, accommodations, and meeting and event facilities are featured, along with information about nearby shopping venues. Guest rates are posted on the site, and accommodations may be booked online.
https://www.somersetinn.com/
Adjacent to the Somerset Collection neighborhood, Somerset Park Apartments is in the Troy School District and within walking distance of Whole Foods and several other shopping and dining options. Situated on 250 landscaped acres, the community includes a 2.5-mile walking path, five swimming pools, eight tennis courts, a 16-acre park, a softball field, and a cricket field, as well as a 9-hole golf course. Its floor plans, photographs, prices, and a list of amenities are posted on the site.
https://www.somersetparkapartments.com/
Based in Troy, Michigan, Troy Airport Taxi provides door-to-door airport taxi and sedan transportation services from Oakland County, to and from Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Romulus, offering a flat rate from Troy to DTW Airport, with no additional fees. Its services are on a reservation basis, twenty-four hours in advance of travel. Reservations are accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday. The reservation telephone number and payment options are posted on the site.
https://www.troyairporttaxi.com/
