Warren is located in Macomb County, Michigan about 20 miles north of Detroit. Warren is Macomb County's largest city and it's the 3rd largest city in the state. Warren is the largest suburb by population in the Detroit metro area. Due to successive decades of decline in the population of Warren, an increase in violent crime, and a collapse in the housing market, Warren was ranked 7th place in Forbes magazine’s list of Most Miserable Cities to Live in the United States, along with two other Michigan cities, Flint and Detroit, which in the top 10.

Diversity

Between 2000 and 2010, the African American population of Warren saw a more than 300% increase, from around 3,700 people to over 18,000. The Asian population also saw a large increase, although not nearly as substantial, with a 46% increase to over 6,000 people.

Population Growth

In its years since incorporation in 1957, Warren has seen more of a decrease in population than an increase, owing mainly to an increase in violent crime and a collapsing housing market.

In the first half of the 20th century, Warren saw an increase of only 300 people. That saw a huge increase of over 62%, however, during the 1950s, bringing the population up from 700 in 1950 to over 89,000 by 1960. While this would repeat itself over the following decade, with a further increase of over 90,000, by the 1980s this was in rapid decline. As of 2019, the population stands at an estimated 135,000, down almost 33% from its peak in 1970.

Warren's population decline is part of a trend across the United States wherein cities with crime and high unemployment (https://www.coloradoan.com/story/money/2019/05/05/americas-fastest-shrinking-cities-face-unemployment-crime-issues/39436365/) are facing decline due to net migration.

The settlement that later became Warren was founded in 1830, going by the name Beebe’s Corners. This was a carriage stop between Utica and Detroit, consisting of a trading post, a mill, a tavern, and a distillery. In 1837, the Warren Township was established, first going Hickory, then a year later Aba, and shortly after that being renamed Warren.

1893 saw the Warren Township incorporated when it became the Village of Warren. The small village grew slowly over the following decades, while the larger surrounding township grew at a much more rapid pace.

In 1957, the Village of Warren, along with the majority of the Township of Warren, and together with neighboring community Van Dyke, incorporated as a city. From then until the end of the following decade, Warren’s population soared, more than doubling from over 42,000 to just shy of 90,000. This rapid growth can be put down to the post World War II Baby Boom, and the White Fright of the 1950s and ‘60s.

Subsequent decades have seen a decline in Warren’s population, with an increase of violent crime and a collapse in the housing market.