Ann Arbor has been described as "25 square miles surrounded by reality" and "a little bit of California dropped into the Midwest." It's true–Ann Arbor is one of Michigan's delightfully distinctive cities.

Home to the world-class University of Michigan, Ann Arbor is an international center for sophisticated research and development. Its educated workforce has attracted so many high-tech companies that Ann Arbor has become a top-ten market nationally for software firms.

Hardly surprising, then, that its residents are an affluent group. Median household income for the Ann Arbor metropolitan statistical area ranks 25th in the nation at $47,151.

The community's energized employment base, combined with the university's cultural and sporting events, make Ann Arbor a vibrant, cosmopolitan place to live and work.

The Ann Arbor News

The Ann Arbor News is the preferred newspaper for Washtenaw County adults. The News has more readers every day than all other area daily newspapers combined (including The Detroit News and The Detroit Free Press).

Major Retailers

ABC Warehouse
CVS Drugs
Best Buy
Borden's Books
Circuit City
Dunham's
Frank"s Nursery & Crafts (2)
Farmer Jack's (4)
Hiller's
Home Depo
Hudson's
Jacobson's
J.C. Penney
Kmart
Kohl's
Kroger
Lowes
MC Sports
Meijer
Mervyn's
Office Depot
Office Max
Old Navy
Rite Aid
Sam's Club
Sears
Sports Authority
Staples
Target (2)
TJ Maxx (2)
Toys-R-Us
Walgreens
Wal-Mart (2)

Population (metro market)
564,400 in 2000
610,000 projected in 2005

Population (circulation area)
397,600

Households (circulation area)
147,300

Total Retail Sales (metro market)
$9,057,863,000

Higher Education

University of Michigan
Eastern Michigan University
Washtenaw Community College
Concordia College
Cleary College

Medical Centers

University of Michigan Medical Centers
St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
McPherson Hospital
Saline Community Hospital
Chelsea Community Hospital
Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Sports & Recreation

Big Ten sports
(you name it, Ann Arbor has it)
EMU athletic facilities and events
Mathaei Botanical Gardens
Nichols Arboretum

The Arts & Learning

Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Ann Arbor Civic Ballet
Ann Arbor Civic Theatre
The Purple Rose Theatre
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Ann Arbor Summer Festival
Ann Arbor Blues & Jazz Festival
Ann Arbor Festival of Classical Music
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
University of Michigan Museum of Art
University of Michigan Museum & Planetarium
Museum of Archeology
Museum of Natural History
Yankee Air Museum

University of Michigan*
24,060

University of Michigan Medical Centers*
8,200

Ford Motor Company
6,800

General Motors
6,200

St. Joseph Mercy Hospital
4,200

Pfizer (pharmaceuticals)
3,000

Eastern Michigan University*
2,200

Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Medical Center*
1,600

Borders Group* (retail bookstores)
1,600

UMI (microfilm, CD-ROM products)
1,500

Washtenaw Community College*
1,200

Pilot Industries*
(automotive research & development)
900

Chrysler Proving Grounds
600

Dominos* (franchise pizza)
550

Pall Gelman Sciences
(medical diagnostic equipment)
550

Chelsea Community Hospital*
530

Edwards Brothers* (printing
525)

Braun-Bruinfield (printing)
500

ERIM International*
(advanced sensors, image processors)
500



* Corporate headquarters located in Ann Arbor