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About Pontiac, Michigan

Street in The first settlers arrived in what is now the City of Pontiac in 1818 at the crossroads of the Saginaw Indian Trail (now Woodward/Dixie Highway) and the Clinton River. Pontiac offers affordable housing, easy access to major roads, fine dining and entertainment, and outdoor events.

Facts and Figures

Government
Strong Mayoral Form of Government
City Incorporated in 1861
Elected Officials: Mayor, Seven City Council Members, School Board Members
Area: approx. 20 sq. miles
Pontiac's commitment to safety resulted in the lowest crime rate in 30 years

Housing
Area
Population
Households
Household Units
Average Household Size
Average Family Size
Source: Southeast Michigan Council of Government (SEMCOG)
approx. 20 sq. mi
66,337 (2000 actual)
24,234 (2000 actual)
27,124 (2000 est.)
2.68 (2000 actual)
3.32

Demographics
Total Population
Sex and Age:
Male
Female
Median Age
Race:
Black or African American
White (Non-Hispanic)
Hispanic or Latino
Asian
American Indian and Alaska Native
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander
Other
Total
66,337

32,285
34,052
30

31,791
22,875
8,463
1,852
1,022
95
239
%
100

48.7
51.3
X

47.9
34.5
12.8
2.8
1.5
.1
.4

Education
K-12 Enrollment(2002):   11,534
Pupil/Teacher Ratio (2002):    20.4
Operating Exp. Per Pupil (2002):   $9,077
Number of K-12 Private Schools:   10
Source: 2003 Standard & Poors School Evaluation Services

Income
Oakland County Median Household Income (2002) $70,866
Source: Michigan Department of Education

Oakland County Per Capita $43,378
Source: Michigan Department of Education

Pontiac Median Household Income (2002) $35,709
Source: US Census

Library
Pontiac Public Library
104,456 volumes
3,000 new children's books
25 computers with Internet access for use by the public
Nine educational computers for children

Employment
Labor Force
Employment
Unemployment
Unemployment Rate
Source: State of Michigan Unemployment Agency

33,100
31,075
2,025
6.1

Major Employers (2008)
General Motors Corporation
St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
County of Oakland
Electronic Data Systems
Pontiac School District
POH Medical Center
United States Postal Service
North Oakland Medical Center (Doctor's Hospital)
State of Michigan
City of Pontiac

Employees
17,212
3,063
2,478
2,222
1,515
1,225
1,082
1,025
675
495

Geography

  • Located in Oakland County, at the crossroads of Woodward Ave., M-59 and Telegraph Road, a short distance from Detroit and Flint Michigan.
  • Area: 20 square miles
  • Nearby rivers and lakes: Clinton River, Sylvan Lake, Crystal Lake, Galloway Lake