Windsor-Detroit
The Windsor-Detroit region is an international metropolitan area spanning the Canadian regions of Chatham-Kent, Essex and Lambton counties in Ontario and American regions of Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, Wayne, Genesee, Washtenaw and Monroe counties in Michigan.
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Demographics
Together, the 2 cities have a population of almost 6,000,000 people, with 5.4 million[1] in Detroit, 375,000 people in Essex County [2] (Windsor) and 125,000 in Lambton County (Sarnia)[3]. It is the largest border region in the world (after Hong Kong was returned to China). The Detroit side contains well over one half of the population of Michigan, whereas Windsor and Sarnia contain only 2 percent of Ontario's population. An estimated 46 million people live within a 300 mile radius of the area.
The region is highly diverse, with a large visible minority population. However, historic racial tensions on the Detroit side are a source of media interest. Windsor itself reflects the rest of Ontario and Canada, following the mosaic pattern of cultures, rather than the American melting pot.
Growth in the region is steady; many areas outside of Detroit, including Warren and Windsor, are growing. Windsor, being part of Southern Ontario, has recently been given a boost by immigration.
Confusion
The region as a whole is not officially recognized as a single metropolitan area by either the Canadian or American governments, as they are in separate countries. However, it may be so recognized informally by residents of the region [4] and marketing or statistical companies.
Economy
Being that Ontario and Michigan are two of the largest auto markets in the world, the most populous border region between them is heavily reliant on cars. After other world-wide markets opened up, this area experienced a rapid economic decline.
That being said, the economy has added many other major factors, both Windsor and Detroit have been revitalizing and diversifying their economies. This has led to the slow but increasing gentrifying of their downtown cores, with riverwalks on both of their waterfronts. A compuware headquarters and a re-done Renaissance Center are featured on the Detroit side.
Also in recent years, immigration has picked up, being that Southern Ontario is one of the top immigration destinations in the world, and that Detroit is still a massive city with many new job opportunities.
See also
Sources
Categories
Metropolitan areas of Canada | Metropolitan areas of the United States