Overview Of Troy, Michigan
Troy is a community in the U.S. state of Michigan in Oakland County. At the 2010 census, its population was 80,980, making Troy the county’s most populous city and the state’s 13th most populous municipality.
As Metro Detroit’s northern suburb, Troy is about 6 miles north of the city of Detroit. In 1827, it was organized as Troy Township, and portions of the township later became part of the cities of Birmingham, Clawson, and Royal Oak. In 1955, the last part of the township was incorporated as the present-day town of Troy.
Troy, with numerous office centers and the upscale Somerset Collection mall, has become a business and shopping destination in the area. Troy was ranked as the safest city in Michigan in 2011, as well as the nation’s 19th safest city. In 2008, CNN Money ranked Troy 22nd on a list of “Best Places to Live” in the United States, using factors such as accommodation, educational quality, economic power, and recreational opportunities. In 2008, with a median household income of about $79,000, Troy was also ranked as the fourth most affordable U.S. city.
In 1819, the earliest recorded land purchases were made in what was known as Troy Township. Since Johnson Niles purchased 160 acres in the area, a settlement known as Troy Corners was established a few years later. The area is currently Troy’s north-central area. Troy Township was developed in 1827. In 1955, Troy was formally founded largely as a tactic to avoid the taking of further land by border cities.
It was named after Troy, New York, because, as in most of Michigan, many of the early settlers came from New York.
The Historic Village of Troy is a completely immersive historical museum that chronicles the various phases of the progression of Troy from its first colonists to the city it has become today. The village is situated behind the old city hall building at the corners of Livernois Road and Wattles Road. The village has ten original, complete structures open year-round, which patrons can join to see how they worked in the past and how they were decorated, as all buildings are full of objects from that time. Each structure is original and was painstakingly transported to the museum intact from its original site. There is also an 18th-century schoolhouse and estate, a general store, a blacksmith’s shop, a church along with the pastor’s home, and the old city hall, which serves as a general museum, beginning with a log and mud structure used by the first settlers. In the middle of the square there is a gazebo that will host parties and period bands during annual festivities. Many schools plan field trips to the museum from around the city, and the church is also available for weddings.
Troy, particularly in the automotive and financial sectors, is a thriving business center and is home to a number of major companies. In Michigan, Troy has the 2nd highest total property value, second only to Detroit. The Somerset Collection mall, featuring a skywalk and over 180 shops, and the Oakland Mall are home to Troy. The Top of Troy is the tallest building in the city with PNC Financial Services offices. A major operations center in Troy is maintained by Bank of America.
The Pavilions of Troy project for the area, a landscaped square with boulevards lined with luxury shops , restaurants, offices, a theater, and condominiums, was proposed by planners.
The Council-Manager form of government is used by Troy and is also governed by a City Council composed of a Mayor and six members of the Council. The incumbent mayor is Ethan Baker, who was elected on November 5, 2019, to a four-year term. A City Manager is appointed by the City Council, who oversees the city’s day-to-day operations.
The 41st District for State Representative of Michigan is composed of the City of Troy and the City of Clawson on its southern edge. The district has been represented by Padma Kuppa in the State House since 2019, and by Mallory McMorrow in the state Senate since 2019. The district has previously been represented by Martin Howrylak in the State House since 2013 and Marty Knollenberg in the State Senate since 2015. Troy was part of the 9th district at the national level, served by Joe Knollenberg from 1993 to 2009 and Gary Peters, who defeated Knollenberg in November 2008 in a heavily publicized election. Nationally, Troy, represented by Democrat Haley Stevens, is part of the 11th district.