Troy — History & Overview

General Overview

Troy is a thriving, affluent city occupying roughly 33.5 square miles in Oakland County, Michigan. Located roughly 25 miles north of downtown Detroit along the I-75 corridor, Troy has evolved into a premier economic hub for Metro Detroit, serving as a vital center for business, high-end retail, and technology.

With a population of around 89,000, Troy stands as the largest city in Oakland County and the 13th-largest city in Michigan. It is highly regarded for its exceptional public safety, welcoming residential neighborhoods, and highly ranked public schools (primarily Troy High School and Athens High School).

Economy

Often considered a secondary economic center to Detroit, Troy is a powerhouse for white-collar commerce. It contains over 7 million square feet of office space, heavily driven by automotive engineering, finance, technology, and health care. The city's prominent commercial beacon is the Somerset Collection, an upscale, luxury shopping mall featuring world-class retailers.

Demographics

Troy is one of Michigan's most diverse cities. According to the 2020 U.S. Census and American Community Survey estimates:

• Population: approximately 89,000
• Racial composition: ~57% White (non-Hispanic), ~27% Asian, ~5% Black or African American, ~4% Hispanic or Latino, ~4% multiracial or other
• Foreign-born residents: roughly 31% of the population
• Median household income: approximately $92,000
• Median age: approximately 40

Troy's large and diverse Asian community — encompassing Indian, Chinese, Korean, and other South and East Asian populations — is one of the defining features of the city's modern cultural identity.

Culture

The focal point of the city's heritage is the Troy Historic Village, an interactive, five-acre historical museum complex located at Livernois and Wattles Roads that preserves local buildings dating back to the mid-19th century.

History

Pioneer Settlement and Township Formation (1819–1827)

The first documented land purchases by Euro-American settlers occurred in early 1819. Prominent pioneers like Johnson Niles, who arrived in 1821, purchased acreage in what would become known as Troy Corners (centered around modern-day Square Lake Road and Livernois).

In 1827, Troy Township was officially organized as an independent governing body. Settlers chose the name "Troy" largely because many had migrated from New York State, where the city of Troy, NY, was a major, prosperous hub.

The Rural Era and the Railroad Bypass

Unlike many early Michigan settlements, Troy Township lacked major rivers or streams with enough swift waterpower to operate prominent lumber or gristmills. As a result, the economy relied almost entirely on agriculture. By the late 1800s, the township earned a stellar regional reputation for producing high-quality corn, wheat, melons, wool, and dairy products.

However, Troy Corners missed out on early industrial urbanization because of transportation routing:

• The Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, constructed in the mid-19th century, completely bypassed Troy Corners, opting instead to run further west through Royal Oak, Birmingham, and Pontiac.
• Without a rail connection, Troy remained a quiet, rural farming community well into the 20th century, though electric trolley service via the Detroit United Railroad (interurban) did connect the town to the region between 1898 and 1931.

Incorporating to Prevent Annexation (1955)

Troy's transition from a rural township to a modern city was sparked by defensive politics. Following World War II, the rapid expansion of Metro Detroit pushed residential and commercial development northward. Nearby municipalities began targeting parts of Troy Township for annexation — most notably the adjacent city of Royal Oak, which successfully absorbed a lucrative portion of southern Troy Township.

To protect their borders and preserve their tax base, township residents banded together to incorporate. On December 12, 1955, the remaining 33.4 square miles of the township officially became the City of Troy, establishing a home-rule charter.

The Post-War Boom and Executive Office Era

Following incorporation, the construction of I-75 in the late 1950s and 1960s completely transformed Troy. What was once isolated farmland suddenly became prime real estate directly connected to Detroit.

Over the next three decades, Troy experienced an extraordinary population explosion, growing from just under 10,000 residents in 1950 to over 80,000 by 1990. Major corporations built sprawling executive office parks along Big Beaver Road, turning the corridor into a corporate gold coast. The opening of the Somerset Mall in 1969 cemented Troy's transition from a quiet farming community into an affluent, nationally recognized destination for luxury commerce and industry.