In the second half of the 20th century, Detroit's population began to fall and its economy declined. By the end of the 1980s, Detroit had become the national exemplar of urban decline, marked by burned out buildings, concentrated poverty, and racial stratification. The decline is told in different ways, roughly following the standard rise and fall narrative.

Origins of the Decline

The rise and fall narrative places the 1967 riot/rebellion, but the origin is in the structural inequality of the the 40s.

1980s Detroit

Rising crime, including arson on Devil's Night, brought national attention to Detroit in the 1980s. The City had issued very few building permits in the decade. Large building projects like the RenCen, which was constructed in 1977 and was separated from the city by a large earthen berm, had failed to live up to its name. Conflict between mayor Coleman Young and the suburbs limited available help.

The destruction of local landmarks and mass abandonment of homes altered the physical landscape during this period, and continues to have strong repercussions in the city today. Expats (and residents) lament the loss of Hudsons, which has become a symbol of Detroit's decline.

Following

In the 2000s, Detroit began what observers see as a revitalization, as new businesses and independents began to join and rejoin the city. Community responses, like urban gardening, and massive foundation support began to give signs of hope.

The city slowly began making its way back onto rankings of positive cities. It was 14th of 100 US cities in a 2010 Portfolio magazine report.