Romeo, Michigan

Romeo is a village in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,596 at the 2010 census. The village is situated at the southeast corner of Bruce Township, with a portion extending south into Washington Township. Armada Township is adjacent to the east and Ray Township to the southeast. Romeo is located on the rural-urban fringe of the Detroit metropolitan area, and many of its residents commute to jobs closer to the city.

Romeo is known for its Peach Festival, which takes place every year during Labor Day weekend. This event dates back to 1931 and includes a car show, floral parade, craft show, and many other downtown events.

Tillson Street is known for its elaborate Halloween decorations. Thousands trick-or-treat Tillson Street every Halloween to see the homeowners' one of a kind Halloween stages.

On February 14 of each year, the village of Romeo offers a special dual postmark with the community of Juliette, Georgia. This tradition began in 1994, as a nod to the William Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet.

History
Originally named Indian Village, the settlement that became Romeo was first inhabited by Chippewa Indians. In the 1820s and 1830s more families began to settle in the area and establish residences and businesses. Indian village became Hoxie's Settlement, named after an individual who opened an Inn on main street. In 1839, Hoxie's Settlement became incorporated and renamed the village of Romeo. Romeo celebrated its 175th Anniversary as of March 9, 2013.

Romeo once served as a hub for the timber industry, and many wealthy timber families resided there. Dozens of stately Victorian mansions survive. Romeo is distinct in the area for having a fairly robust traditional downtown which has never seen a major fire. Because of this, there are stores and restaurants downtown that have original tin ceilings from as long ago as the Civil War. Romeo was also an early participant in the automobile industry, serving as home to the Detroit Auto Vehicle Company from 1904 until 1908.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.02 sqmi, all land.

Government
The government of the Village of Romeo consists of elected and appointed officials. The elected officials include: six council members, one president, treasurer and clerk. The appointed officials include: Chief of Police, Department of Public Works Director, and Village Administrator. Currently, the elected clerk also holds the appointed position of Village Administrator. The day-to-day operations of the Village are handled by the Clerk/Administrator.

Over the past 20 years, Romeo has undergone numerous upgrades to the infrastructure of the village; these include a revamping of the streetscape on Van Dyke Avenue, the main road through the village, and the installation of a new water tower. Romeo also has one of the few wastewater treatment plants in the region. While most of the region receives water and sewage service from the City of Detroit, Romeo sustains its own supply of water, and treats all of the village sewage through their own treatment plant. This was especially valuable during the blackout that occurred throughout the entire northeastern United States on August 14, 2003. Romeo was one of the few areas in the Detroit metropolitan area to have clean running water. More recent infrastructure improvements include a complete renovation of the village water system, and replacement of all the sidewalks throughout the village.

Schools
Romeo has one high school, a technical school, two middle schools and five elementary schools. The mascot for the high school is the bulldog. Most of the schools are located outside the village limits.

Student enrollment
According to the Romeo School District as of January 8, 2008:


 * Elementary Schools     2,655
 * Middle Schools         1,468
 * Romeo High School    1,913
 * Romeo Engineering and Technology Center (RETC)     699

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 3,596 people, 1,501 households, and 979 families residing in the village. The population density was 1780.2 PD/sqmi. There were 1,659 housing units at an average density of 821.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 91.9% White, 3.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 1.1% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 1,501 households of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 14.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the village was 40.9 years. 23.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 46.4% male and 53.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,721 people, 1,528 households, and 993 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,842.8 per square mile (711.2/km²). There were 1,605 housing units at an average density of 794.9 per square mile (306.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 92.66% White, 4.35% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.74% of the population.

There were 1,528 households out of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the village, the population was spread out with 26.1% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 30.1% from 25 to 44, 21.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $48,015, and the median income for a family was $60,179. Males had a median income of $51,875 versus $27,696 for females. The per capita income for the village was $22,588. About 3.2% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.5% of those under age 18 and 3.9% of those age 65 or over.

Events
Romeo plays host to the annual Michigan Lavender Festival every summer, at the height of lavender season. Romeo also hosts its Michigan Peach Festival every year on the weekend of Labor Day. Started in 1931 to promote the local orchards, events include a 5K/10K run, a car show, three parades, craft show, Kidsfest and carnival rides. A yearly Peach Queen is chosen to preside over events and represent Romeo. The Michigan Peach Festival is sponsored by the Romeo Lions.

Romeo is also home to the Romeo Zombie Walk which is also a food drive for homeless/needy veterans.

Notable people

 * Frank Bowerman, Major League Baseball catcher
 * Harold Courlander, writer, folklorist, and anthropologist
 * Dion Fischer, musician, producer, and visual artist
 * Kid Rock, musician
 * Jill Ritchie, actress and sister to Kid Rock
 * Ben Stephens (baseball), Major League Baseball pitcher
 * Henry Stephens (lumberman), lumber baron

Notable businesses

 * Blue Water Trucking Co. - Bulk water and freight delivery company that delivers to Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin
 * Starkweather Arts Center - 219 N. Main St., non profit arts and cultural center located in the 1865 home of Helen Starkweather. Ms. Starkweather, a Romeo Schools art and drafting teacher for more than 40 years, bequeathed her family home and studio to the Village of Romeo to promote the arts and artisans in the Romeo area. Opened as Starkweather Arts Center in 1999, SAC hosts monthly gallery shows, music events and art classes and workshops.