Oakland County Information

Located within the Detroit metropolitan area, Oakland County is an area of socioeconomic diversity and both urban and suburban appeal. Blue collar workers, Fortune 500 companies, and everyone in between call this county home. The county is actually the 4th wealthiest in the United States, out of counties with over one million residents. Oakland County is bordered by six other Michigan counties, with Wayne County (the state's most populous) to the south.

Oakland County is also home to several notable features and attractions that are enjoyed by both residents and visitors. The Detroit Zoological Park in Royal Oak has several thousand animals on exhibit, including polar bears, wolverines, seals, and freely roaming peacocks. The zoo made national news recently when it voluntarily gave up its elephants because officials decided the harsh winters were too cold, and keeping the animals confined indoors was inhumane. The Detroit Pistons are an NBA team that is another huge draw for the area, with fans coming from all over to watch the action on the court. The county is also known for its diverse communities, from the middle class suburbs of Hazel Park and Ferndale to the wealthy communities of Bloomfield Hills and Franklin. Some of these areas, like Ferndale and Royal Oak, are noted for their bohemian-style shops, restaurants, and clubs. Finally, as an interesting side note, the area is not currently one that is considered bicycle-friendly. In fact, most roads outside of residential areas are not favorable for cyclists, and the League of American Bicyclists has deemed Oakland County as not having any bicycle-friendly communities. However, several places in the county are working to change that with plans to include more "complete streets."