Originally known as the birthplace of Henry Ford, Dearborn, Michigan’s reputation now centers around its business acumen and immigration, with more than 30 percent of the citizens of this thriving, multicultural town being foreign-born. The city serves as a regional hub for jobs, healthcare, education, and top-notch tourist and cultural attractions, and is renowned for its friendliness and rich cultural diversity. The Dearborn Advantage—an inspired initiative that includes free books for kids, free summertime access to city pools for kids under 13, and a collaboration with Google Cloud that offers free certifications for IT professions—is but one example of the city’s many impressive commitments, and one that perfectly illustrates the respect and care the city has for its residents.
The second-largest city in Wayne County and the seventh-largest in the state, Dearborn hosts a strong small business environment alongside major players like the Ford Motor Company, Carhartt, Hollingsworth, and Shatila Food Products. In keeping with this entrepreneurial commitment, and in order to increase job possibilities for locals and business owners, the Economic Development Department’s Workforce & Business Development Division strategically leads and strengthens projects that promote economic growth, community well-being, and individual prosperity.
Forging an identity
“Our modern economic identity began with Ford Motor Company, established here in the early 20th century,” says Kelli Vanden Bosch, President, Dearborn Area Chamber of Commerce. “But that did more than build cars here in Dearborn; it built a strong middle class and a culture of entrepreneurship.”
As the automotive industry matured, Dearborn evolved beyond a single-industry town, investing in the future via the University of Michigan, Dearborn and Henry Ford College, both located in the city and providing thousands of students with opportunities to further their education.
“We have 20,000 children who attend public schools here every year, and a 93 percent graduation rate,” says Vanden Bosch, adding that the past two superintendents of the State of Michigan also came from Dearborn.
A culture of celebration
As for community, Dearborn is a welcoming, family-oriented city that embraces its rich diversity. “Our culture is reflected in everything we do—from our incredible Middle Eastern cuisine and vibrant coffee shops to the locally owned businesses that give our city its character,” says Vanden Bosch. “Whether you’re stopping for coffee, enjoying a meal, or exploring our neighborhoods, you’ll find a strong sense of community. While Dearborn is known around the world as the home of Ford Motor Company, it’s also become a destination for people seeking authentic food, culture, and experiences.”
Other local tourist attractions include the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, which bring a sizeable number of visitors to the area.
When it comes to planned tourism events, the Chamber’s yearly Taste of Dearborn, a restaurant crawl in the west downtown area on Michigan Avenue that piggybacks on the food scene, takes place every third Wednesday in June, enticing thousands of people to experience the wares of 30-plus participating restaurants.
There’s also the Dearborn Summer Market, formerly known as the Dearborn Farmers & Artisans Market, overseen by West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority (WDDDA), who strives to foster community cohesion and bolster local small businesses and entrepreneurs. The 2026 season of “Under the Stars,” held at Dearborn PEACE Park West, is proudly presented by the City of Dearborn and brings a diverse range of entertainment to the community.
The seasonal Take in the Holiday Lights, hosted by PEACE Park West, is a new city tradition combining public art with holiday joy. Over the course of three months, this free, family-friendly event showcases three top-notch, interactive light displays created by artists from across the world.
And in keeping with Dearborn’s deep appreciation of education, there are the Teacher of the Year awards, which work hand-in-hand with the Dearborn public schools to honor those who strive to provide quality instruction to students. The Women of Inspiration Lunch, meanwhile, focuses on supporting women entrepreneurs. Finally, there’s the Dearborn Homecoming Festival, a three-day event taking place the first full weekend of August each year. Founded in 1979 and hosted in Ford Field Park, this celebration features reunions, carnival rides, historical reenactments, and massive fireworks.
Committed to its people
In order to guarantee the provision of Dearborn’s top-notch public services, Mayor Abdullah Hammoud collaborates closely with more than a dozen city department leaders and their employees. Born and raised in Dearborn, Hammoud is devoted to creating a community where everyone has the chance to prosper and contribute to its success. A graduate of both Dearborn Public Schools and the University of Michigan, with bachelor’s degrees in science and master’s degrees in public health and business administration, Hammoud also represented Dearborn’s 15th District in the Michigan House of Representatives before becoming Mayor.
While serving in the state legislature, he supported several programs that protected public health and air quality and enhanced access to healthcare, education, and economic growth for Michigan residents. He was elected mayor of Dearborn in November 2021 and has been carrying out his shared vision of a more affluent, lively, and inclusive neighborhood ever since, prioritizing public safety and economic development, implementing public health in all programs, making historic investments in public parks, and reinventing the way the government provides services to its more than 100,000 residents.
Part of the government’s commitment to its people includes bringing to fruition numerous projects, such as authorizing a $31 million, 111-unit townhouse project with reasonably priced units at 15625 Lundy Parkway. The project consists of a variety of one- to four-bedroom residences, amenities, a clubhouse, and green space, and is scheduled to begin construction in 2026 with an anticipated 2028 completion. According to a 2025 market estimate, Dearborn needs roughly 1,500 new housing units by 2035, and the development will assist in addressing this need.
A brownfield tax incentive plan that would reimburse up to about $11.4 million in eligible development costs over 28 years supports the project, which is anticipated to generate more than $5.6 million in revenue for the city during the incentive period while remaining cost-neutral, with projected service costs of approximately $5 million. Later in the incentive period, the plan calls for converting around 49 percent of the units from rentals to owner-occupied housing alongside new construction.
Indeed, in one of Michigan’s most competitive housing markets, the city is pushing forward with hundreds of millions of dollars in rehabilitation projects that are intended to create new housing. The east side of Dearborn is currently the main focus of the housing push, which includes the construction of a new residential neighborhood with roughly 300 houses and apartments on 21 acres of city-owned land close to Carhartt’s global headquarters. The city is also developing a plan to create dozens of new residences on about 40 city-owned lots in the Lonyo neighborhood, while Waza Construction is erecting 111 new townhouses. Additionally, Village Plaza, a 12-story office skyscraper on Michigan Avenue that has been abandoned since 2018, is being demolished and the city is preparing a 20-plus-acre site near Michigan Avenue and I-94 for future development.
Development in Dearborn goes beyond housing, with a mixed-use office complex on vacant ground at Michigan Avenue and Howard Street and the former Hyatt Regency site on Town Center Drive being actively developed by an architecture firm. A city code reform to permit indoor leisure facilities in more commercial locations is also being championed by a local company, Just Play. And, in late 2026 and early 2027, the city intends to invite developers to apply for its pre-approved sites.
A great place to grow
For Kelli Vanden Bosch, a deep love and abiding pride for the city and its residents runs deep, both personally and generationally. “Not only do I work in Dearborn, but I’ve proudly called it home for more than 30 years,” she says. “My husband works for Dearborn Public Schools, and we raised our children here. Dearborn is a community that invests in its families, and it’s been a wonderful place to live, work, and build a life.”
With about 110,000 residents, Dearborn offers plenty of activities and a bright future. Local leaders put words into action, always striving to improve the quality of life for residents. And initiatives like the Dearborn Advantage aim to set the city apart in the face of a population surge, a surge it intends to maintain with fresh expenditures in parks, workforce development, and early literacy.
