Detroit Draws the Young and the Restless

Posted by Shayna Pollock on July 04, 2011

In The Young and the Restless, a report on the rapidly rising number of young, college educated people flocking to cities throughout the country, CEOs for Cities found that Detroit's population of 25-34 year olds with a four-year degree has increased by 59% since 2000. An article in the New York Times highlighted the thriving young culture and entrepreneurial spirit of Detroit thanks to the influx of the country's most mobile population. The article credited David Egner, CEOs for Cities partner and president and CEO of the Hudson-Webber Foundation, as a main contributor to Detroit's newfound success. Hudson-Webber's 15x15 Initiative, which aims to bring 15,000 young, educated households to downtown Detroit by 2015, is working to attract and maintain a youthful talent pool. This "new generation of what city leaders are calling 'creatives'” is key to Detroit's resurgence and future success.