Communities

Metropolitan Detroit's Arab-American community is the largest in the nation, with around 500,000 in the region. The City of Dearborn is the center of the Arab-American community, home to the largest mosque in North America, the Islamic Center of America, as well as the Arab American National Museum. Seeking work in automotive factories, large numbers of Arabs immigrated to the metro Detroit area in the early 1900s. A second wave of immigration followed the Lebanese civil war in the 1970s. Today, Arab-Americans in Michigan are heavily involved in the state's economy as entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders.The Arab American News is the largest publication serving the Arab community.read on…

In the last decade, the Asian community in metro Detroit has grown 37 percent to an estimated 150,000 in the metro area, with concentrations in Troy and Madison Heights. Originally, Asians immigrated to the Detroit region seeking jobs in the automotive industry, and many later opened small independent businesses. Today, Asian-Americans are responsible for almost a third of high-tech businesses in Oakland County, the majority have a bachelor's degree or higher, and many in the manufacturing sector bring expertise as engineers, scientists, and researchers. The Michigan Korean Weekly is the largest publication serving the Asian community.read on…

The City of Detroit is home to one of the highest concentration of Blacks in the United States. Around 550,000 Blacks represent over 75 percent of Detroit's population, and overall almost 1.1 million live in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.  Migration to the region began in the 1920s, as oppressed Blacks left Southern States in search of industrial jobs. The Black population has a high level of identification with the city and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.  Almost two-thirds of all businesses in Detroit are Black-owned, around 33,000.The Michigan Chronicle is the largest publication serving the Black community.read on…

Detroit's Hispanic population has more than doubled in the two decades since immigration to the region began in the 1990s. There are an estimated 400,000 Hispanics in Michigan, more than half of whom live in metro Detroit. While many work in the service industry, construction, and landscaping, a significant number have also opened food and restaurant businesses in the area. In the last several years, Detroit's hispanic community has seen some of the largest growth in entrepreneurial ventures and job creation, with a roughly 34 percent increase in Hispanic small business development. The Latino Press is one of the largest publications serving the Hispanic community.read on…

The South Asian community comprises of immigrants from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.  This fast growing cultural group includes students, engineers, physicians, entrepreneurs and other professionals.  During the past decade a number of successful South Asian entrepreneurs have played a major role in building Michigan's economy.  In particular, the IT (Information Technology) industry continues to see robust growth in Michigan powered by a large influx of talent from the Indian subcontinent.  Delicious cuisine, the sport of cricket, Bollywood movies, ethnic fashions are some of the unique attributes that define the community.  Founded in 1999, www.miindia.com is the communication medium of choice for the Indian and South Asian community providing up-to-date information on various topics including events, activities, success stories, news and more.  miindia.com also offers networking opportunities to seek jobs, buy-sell goods, accommodation and more.read on…

Metro Detroit is the 21st largest Jewish community in the United States, with an estimated 72,000 in the region. The community is primarily concentrated in Oakland County, particularly in Oak Park, West Bloomfield, and Farmington Hills, and accounts for 2 percent of the overall metro Detroit population. The Jewish community has strong local ties, 88% having lived in the region for more than 20 years, and the metro area is home to multiple kosher restaurants, bakeries, caterers, supermarkets, Jewish bookstores and numerous synagogues, schools and community centers. The Jewish News is the largest publication serving the Jewish community.read on…