Where is Detroit?

Written and fact-checked by | Last Updated: January 07, 2025, 11:55 AM ET

As shown in the given Detroit location map that Detroit is located in the Midwest region of the United States.

Detroit Location Map

Where is Detroit Located?

Detroit is the largest and most-populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated nearby the international border of the United States and Canada. The name Detroit is derived from the French word detroit for strait, in reference to its location on the river that connecting the Great Lakes.

The city was founded by the Frenchman Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in the year 1701; since that time it has experienced manifold development specifically automotive industry. In today's world, Detroit is the metonym for the American automobile industry. Besides, it is also a significant source of popular music legacies celebrated by the city's two well-known nicknames, the Motor City and Motown.

Top Places to See in Detroit

Detroit Institute of ArtsCharles H. Wright MuseumMuseum of Contemporary ArtThe Spirit of Detroit
The Henry Ford MuseumGreektown CasinoMichigan Central Train DepotGrand Circus Park
Belle IsleThe Heidelberg ProjectMasonic TempleWindsor Sculpture Park
Motown MuseumMichigan Science CenterJames Scott Memorial FountainDetroit Riverfront Conservancy
GM Renaissance CenterMotorCity Casino HotelDossin Great Lakes MuseumWilliam C. Sterling State Park
Comerica ParkAnna Scripps WhitcombAmbassador BridgeWilliam G. Milliken State Park and
Detroit ZooGreenfield VillageBelle Isle Nature CenterDetroit Riverwalk
Fox TheatreGuardian BuildingLake St. Clair MetroparkPalmer Park
Campus Martius ParkDetroit Historical MuseumAutomotive Hall of FameMichigan Soldiers' and Sailors'
Belle Isle AquariumMGM Grand DetroitFord HouseDetroit Artists Market

Detroit, Michigan Quick Facts

FactDetails
CityDetroit
CountyWayne County
StateMichigan
State CapitalLansing
US RegionMidwest
Latitude42.3314° N
Longitude83.0458° W
Elevation600 ft (183 m)
Land Area138.7 sq mi
Water Area4.1 sq mi
Total Area142.8 sq mi
Population (2020 Census)639,111
Population DensityApproximately 4,608 per sq mi
ZIP Codes48201, 48202, 48203, 48204, 48205, 48206, 48207, 48208, 48209, 48210, 48211, 48212, 48213, 48214, 48215, 48216, 48217, 48219, 48221, 48223, 48224, 48226, 48227, 48228, 48234, 48235, 48238, 48242, 48243, 48244, 48255, 48260, 48264, 48265, 48266, 48267, 48268, 48269, 48272, 48275, 48277, 48278, 48279, 48288
Area Code313
Time Zone StandardEastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5)
Time Zone DaylightEastern Daylight Time (EDT, UTC-4)
CurrencyUS Dollar (USD)
FIPS Code26-22000
Congressional DistrictMichigan 13th Congressional District

Location and Surroundings

Detroit is located in Wayne County in southeastern Michigan along the Detroit River. It lies between Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie directly across from Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The city is known as the Motor City for its historic automotive industry, as well as its music heritage, professional sports teams, manufacturing base, and international trade connections.

Nearby Cities to Detroit, Michigan

  • Hamtramck, Michigan - 5 mi North
  • Highland Park, Michigan - 6 mi North
  • Dearborn, Michigan - 8 mi West
  • Allen Park, Michigan - 10 mi Southwest
  • Lincoln Park, Michigan - 11 mi Southwest
  • Southfield, Michigan - 14 mi Northwest
  • Taylor, Michigan - 15 mi Southwest
  • Royal Oak, Michigan - 15 mi North
  • Warren, Michigan - 16 mi Northeast
  • Troy, Michigan - 22 mi North

Detroit, Michigan Climate and Weather Overview

MonthAvg High (°F)Avg Low (°F)Avg Rainfall (in)
January32202.1
April58393.1
July83663.0
October63472.5
Annual594333.5
Climate AttributeDetails
Climate Classification (Köppen)Hot-Summer Humid Continental (Dfa)
Annual RainfallAbout 33.5 inches
Annual Sunshine DaysApproximately 183 days
Hurricane/Tornado RiskVery low hurricane risk, low tornado risk
SnowfallApproximately 34 inches annually

Driving Distances from Detroit, Michigan

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
HamtramckMichigan510 min
Highland ParkMichigan615 min
DearbornMichigan815 min
Allen ParkMichigan1020 min
Lincoln ParkMichigan1120 min
SouthfieldMichigan1425 min
TaylorMichigan1525 min
Royal OakMichigan1525 min
WarrenMichigan1630 min
TroyMichigan2235 min

Transportation and Connectivity in Detroit, Michigan

CategoryDetails
Airport NameDetroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
IATA CodeDTW
PortPort of Detroit
Major HighwaysI-75, I-94, I-96, I-275, M-10
Train/Amtrak ServiceAmtrak Wolverine Service
Local Bus/Transit ServiceDDOT, SMART Bus, QLINE Streetcar
  • Interstate 75 - Major north-south corridor connecting Detroit with Toledo and northern Michigan.
  • Interstate 94 - Connects Detroit with Chicago, Ann Arbor, and Port Huron.
  • Interstate 96 - Links downtown Detroit with western Michigan communities.
  • Interstate 275 - Regional bypass serving western metropolitan suburbs.
  • M-10 (Lodge Freeway) - Important urban route connecting downtown with northern neighborhoods.

Key Landmarks and Places to Visit in Detroit, Michigan

Landmark NameType
The Henry FordMuseum
Detroit Institute of ArtsMuseum
Motown MuseumMuseum
Detroit RiverwalkWaterfront Attraction
Comerica ParkSports Venue
Ford FieldSports Venue
Belle Isle ParkIsland Park
Guardian BuildingHistoric Landmark
Eastern MarketHistoric Market
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American HistoryMuseum

Waterbodies in Detroit, Michigan

Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, Rouge River, River Rouge, Conner Creek, Fox Creek, Lake Erie, Belle Isle Lagoon, Clinton River, Ecorse River

Golf Courses in Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Golf Club, Palmer Park Golf Course, Chandler Park Golf Course, Rouge Park Golf Course, Rackham Golf Course, TPC Michigan, Dearborn Country Club, Warren Valley Golf Course, Fox Hills Golf & Banquet Center, Lochmoor Club

Economy and Major Employers in Detroit, Michigan

SectorMajor Employer or IndustryNotes
AutomotiveGeneral MotorsMajor automobile manufacturer headquartered in Detroit.
AutomotiveFord Motor CompanyKey employer in the metropolitan area.
AutomotiveStellantis North AmericaImportant automotive manufacturing and engineering presence.
HealthcareHenry Ford HealthLeading healthcare provider and employer.
EducationWayne State UniversityMajor research and educational institution.
FinanceFinancial and Business ServicesSupports regional economic growth.
TechnologyMobility and Advanced ManufacturingGrowing innovation sector.
GovernmentCity, State and Federal AgenciesSignificant public-sector employment.

Colleges and Universities in Detroit, Michigan

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Wayne State UniversityPublicUniversityResearch, medicine, and urban studies
University of Detroit MercyPrivateUniversityLaw, engineering, and health professions
College for Creative StudiesPrivateCollegeArt, design, and automotive design programs
Wayne County Community College DistrictPublicCommunity CollegeWorkforce training and transfer education
Michigan State University Detroit CenterPublicUniversityProfessional and graduate programs
Sacred Heart Major SeminaryPrivateSeminaryTheological and religious education

Detroit, Michigan - Key Historical Facts

  • Detroit was founded in 1701 by French explorer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac along the Detroit River.
  • The city became an important trading and transportation center due to its strategic location between the Great Lakes.
  • Detroit emerged as the center of the American automobile industry during the early twentieth century.
  • The city earned the nickname "Motor City" because of its pivotal role in automotive manufacturing.
  • Detroit also became internationally famous as the birthplace of Motown music during the 1950s and 1960s.
  • Today, Detroit continues to be a major center for automotive innovation, manufacturing, healthcare, culture, and international trade.

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