Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac (/ˈpɒn(t)iæk/ POHN-(t)ee-ack) is a city in and the county seat of Oakland County, Michigan, United States.[3] As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 61,606.[4] A part of Metro Detroit, Pontiac is about 20 miles (32.2 km) northwest of Detroit.
Pontiac, Michigan
United States
1818
1837 (village)
1861 (city)
Tim Greimel (D)
Garland Doyle
20.25 sq mi (52.46 km2)
19.89 sq mi (51.50 km2)
0.37 sq mi (0.95 km2)
922 ft (281 m)
61,606
3,098.11/sq mi (1,196.16/km2)
4,296,250 (Metro Detroit)
UTC−4 (EDT)
26-65440
0635224[2]
Founded in 1818, Pontiac was the second European-American organized settlement in Michigan near Detroit, after Dearborn. It was named after Pontiac, a war chief of the Ottawa Tribe, who occupied the area before the European settlers. The city was best known for its General Motors automobile manufacturing plants of the 20th century, which were the basis of its economy and contributed to the wealth of the region. These included Fisher Body, Pontiac East Assembly (a.k.a. Truck & Coach/Bus), which manufactured GMC products, and the Pontiac Motor Division. In the city's heyday, it was the site of the primary automobile assembly plant for the production of the famed Pontiac cars, a brand that was named after the city. The Pontiac brand itself was discontinued in 2010 by General Motors. The City of Pontiac also was home to Oakland Motor Car Company, which was acquired by General Motors in 1909.
In 1975, the city built the Pontiac Silverdome, the stadium that hosted the Detroit Lions of the National Football League from 1975 to 2001, when the team returned to Downtown Detroit at Ford Field. Super Bowl XVI was played at the Silverdome in 1982. After 2001, the stadium continued to be used for concerts and other events until it was demolished in 2018. It is now the site of an Amazon Fulfillment and Distribution facility.
Geography[edit]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.29 square miles (52.55 km2), of which 19.97 square miles (51.72 km2) is land and 0.32 square miles (0.83 km2) (1.58%) is water.[27]
Pontiac is bounded by the city of Auburn Hills to the east and north, the city of Lake Angelus to the north, Waterford Township to the west, and Bloomfield Township to the south.
The former Pontiac Township included what are now the cities of Pontiac, Lake Angelus, and Auburn Hills. The last remaining portion of the township incorporated as the city of Auburn Hills in 1983. Although the township no longer exists as a civil entity, it is still used as a survey township for land use purposes.
runs through Pontiac.
BL I-75
serves local business traffic through the city.
Bus. US 24
(Woodward Avenue) northbound loops around Pontiac's downtown district (now known as the "Woodward Loop", continuing its loop back southbound as "Saginaw Street", then returning to the name of Woodward Avenue and routing directly to Downtown Detroit.
M-1
(Lapeer Road) southbound ends in Auburn Hills at I-75. Northbound, the highway connects to Lapeer. Note: M-24 does not intersect with US 24.
