Members of dozens of ethnic groups live in Hamtramck today, making it one of the most diverse communities in America. Hamtramck is named for the French-Canadian soldier Jean François Hamtramck, who was the first American commander of Fort Shelby, a fortification at Detroit. Founded as a township in 1798 by German and French farmers, Hamtramck was a dusty farming community through the 19th century. That sleepy character underwent a profound and sudden change in 1910 when John and Horace Dodge started construction of their auto factory at the far south end of town. At the beginning of 1910 Hamtramck had a population of 3,500. By 1920 the population reached 48,000 in an area of 2.1 square miles.

Almost all of the new residents were Polish immigrants who came to work in the factories of the Dodge brothers and Henry Ford. These new residents lived in homes on 30-foot-wide lots, which gave the city the densely packed appearance that remains today. Many signs of the Polish presence also remain in such ethnic restaurants as the Polish Village Cafe, Polonia, and Under the Eagle, as well as in stores like the Polish Market. They all still do a thriving business today.

Symbols of the strong Polish Catholic faith are also evident. St. Florian Parish was founded in 1907 to serve the growing Polish community. St. Ladislaus was formed from St. Florian when the latter expanded rapidly in the early 20th century. And the strong connection between the city's Polish population and the memory of Pope John Paul II – Karol Wojtyla – stands prominently in the form of his statue at “Pope Park” on Jos. Campau, the city’s main street. Despite that Polish presence, over the years the Polish population of Hamtramck has declined and is being replaced by many other ethnic groups. In 1970, for example, Hamtramck’s population was 90% Polish. As of 2000, just 22% of Hamtramck’s population is of Polish origin. The remainder is a rich mixture of cultures, as African Americans, Albanians, Bosnians, Yemenis, Arabs, Bangladeshis, Indians, Germans, and Mexicans have been changing the composition of the city’s population.

At the same time, there also has been an influx of new immigrants from Poland, continuing the Polish flavor of the city. As the automotive industry has shrunk, so has the overall population, which stands at around 23,000 people, diminishing the tax base and causing the city many of the economic problems facing other Michigan cities. In 2000, the city went into receivership over low revenues and political infighting, but by 2006 it was out of receivership, and its many cultures are now finding common ground to discuss and solve issues.

While the city has gone through many changes, what remains consistent is the welcoming atmosphere that characterizes Hamtramck today, just as it has for decades. There are many festivals, some of them traditional Polish celebrations, but others reflecting the diverse cultural heritage. That diversity is also represented on the city council, which in 2007 elected its first female mayor, Karen Majewski. The council members were mayor pro tempore Scott Klein, Shahab Ahmed, Abdul Al-Ghazali, Cathy Gordon, Alan Shulgon, and Catrina Stackpoole.

Hamtramck is clearly unique and rich with opportunity to use its cultural diversity as a springboard for future growth and prosperity. In such ways, it reflects the future diversity and spirit of cooperation that Michigan will need for its cities to overcome racial divisions and attract immigrants who often spur innovation and entrepreneurship.