Pontiac, Michigan
Pontiac, Michigan | |
|---|---|
Downtown Pontiac | |
| Nickname(s): The Yak, Yaktown | |
Location within Oakland County | |
| Coordinates: 42°38′46″N 83°17′33″W / 42.64611°N 83.29250°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Michigan |
| County | Oakland |
| Settled | 1818 |
| Incorporated | 1837 (village) 1861 (city) |
| Named after | Pontiac |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Mayor | Tim Greimel (D) |
| • Clerk | Garland Doyle |
| Area | |
| 20.25 sq mi (52.46 km2) | |
| • Land | 19.89 sq mi (51.50 km2) |
| • Water | 0.37 sq mi (0.95 km2) |
| Elevation | 922 ft (281 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| 61,606 | |
| • Density | 3,098.11/sq mi (1,196.16/km2) |
| • Metro | 4,296,250 (Metro Detroit) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | |
| Area codes | 248 and 947 |
| FIPS code | 26-65440 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0635224 |
| Website | pontiac |
Pontiac (/ˈpɒn(t)iæk/ PON-(t)ee-ak) is a city in and the county seat of Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Located roughly 26 miles (41.8 km) northwest of downtown Detroit, Pontiac is part of the Detroit metropolitan area, and is variously described as a satellite city or suburb of Detroit. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 61,606.
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.