Government

Ypsi City Hall

The City of Ypsilanti

The City of Ypsilanti (ip-s'-ln-t) was incorporated as a village in 1832 and as a city in 1858.  Ypsilanti is located in the southeast region of Michigan’s lower peninsula in Washtenaw County, approximately 30 miles west of Detroit. The City is bounded to the north by the Charter Township of Superior and on the west, south and east by the Charter Township of Ypsilanti. The City incorporates 4.52 square miles of which 0.19 square miles is water.   Ypsilanti has the second largest continuous historic district in the State of Michigan. The City is a stable community with many assets – quality residential neighborhoods, good schools, beautiful view of the Huron River, historic downtown and residential neighborhoods, and convenient access to I-94 and Detroit Metropolitan Airport. 

Annual events and festivals and the presence of Eastern Michigan University, all contribute to the City of Ypsilanti’s “small town” sense of community.


The incorporated area of the city is 4.3 square miles.  The City of Ypsilanti has a population of 20,648, according to the 2020 US Census. 


Life in Ypsilanti

Ypsilanti’s cultural offerings are rich and varied. A wide variety of museums, galleries, arts events, and musical attractions grace the city. FY 2021-2022 saw the return of many festivals and annual events, including the Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Festival, Ypsi Glow, the Orphan Car Show, the 4th of July Parade, and Depot Town Cruise Nights for the first time since the pandemic began. The DDA Summer Movie Series continues to grow in attendance and enthusiasm as we introduce new complementary features like a golden ticket competition to support local businesses over six events between May-November. New programs have been developed to engage EMU students and faculty returning to campus for the first time following the pandemic drawing over 400 students to local businesses on West Cross this summer with a token program. The John Lawrence Summer Jazz Festival may have moved to Ypsilanti Township over the summer. Still, it took little time for a new Jazz Festival to spring up and draw huge crowds to Frog Island Park, along with after-party shows at featured local businesses.