Sep 30, 2026, 7:30 PMRole Model
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre · Role Model — concert at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights.
Metro Detroit Macomb County City
Sterling Heights
From rhubarb fields to Ram trucks, with the Middle East and the Balkans at home
- People (2025 estimate)
- 133,931
- Land area
- 36.4 sq mi · 94.4 km²
- From downtown
- 17.3 miles · 28 km · north
- Incorporated
- 1968
01 / Why it matters
Why Sterling Heights matters
Until the 1950s, Sterling Heights was quiet farm country, and Sterling Township's fields mostly grew rhubarb for Detroit markets. Then came better roads, factories and autoworker families, and in 1968 the township became a city and picked up the “Heights.”
The economy still runs on cars: Sterling Heights Assembly opened in 1953 as a Chrysler missile plant and has built the Ram 1500 pickup since 2019. Jet's Pizza started here in 1978 and took its square, Detroit-style pies national.
It's a city of immigrants too. Alongside Eastern European and Balkan communities, including Albanians, Bosnians, Croatians, Macedonians and Serbians, many Iraqi Christians, mostly Chaldean Catholics and Assyrians, settled here after the 2003 Iraq war, and the area around 15 Mile and Ryan is nicknamed Little Nineveh.
02 / Known for
What Sterling Heights is known for
Sterling Heights Assembly, opened as a missile plant in 1953 and home of the Ram 1500 pickup since 2019.
Jet's Pizza: brothers Eugene and John Jetts opened the first shop in a former party store in 1978, and it's now a chain of several hundred locations.
Little Nineveh: the Iraqi Christian, Chaldean and Assyrian community that arrived after 2003 around 15 Mile and Ryan; the city also has a welcome center for refugees.
Lakeside Mall ran from 1976 until July 1, 2024; when it closed it was Michigan's largest mall by leasable space, and a mixed-use town center is planned in its place.
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill, Macomb County's big outdoor concert venue.
03 / What’s on
What’s on in Sterling Heights
Sep 30, 2026, 7:30 PM
Oct 2, 2026, 8:00 PMFoster The People
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre · Foster The People — concert at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights.
Oct 3, 2026, 8:00 PMSteve Lacy
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre · Steve Lacy — concert at Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre, Sterling Heights.
04 / Places
14 places on our site in Sterling Heights
Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights, MI 4831205 / What to do
If you’re in Sterling Heights
Dodge Park
A city park of more than 50 acres on Utica Road with sports fields, a seasonal splash pad and ice rink, and trails linking to the Clinton River Trail; you can paddle the river too.
Official site ↗Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill
An outdoor amphitheater on Metro Parkway with room for about 7,300, split between seats and lawn, hosting touring acts from May to October.
Official site ↗
06 / History
Sterling Heights through the years
- 1835
The area splits off from Shelby Township as Jefferson Township.
- 1838
The township is renamed Sterling Township.
- 1953
Chrysler's Missile Division opens the plant known today as Sterling Heights Assembly.
- 1968
In July the township incorporates as the City of Sterling Heights, with Gerald Donovan as first mayor.
- 1976
Lakeside Mall opens on March 2 along Hall Road (M-59).
- 2024
Lakeside Mall closes on July 1 to make way for a new mixed-use town center.
Sources
Population and area are Census Bureau figures (Sterling Heights city).
- 2020 Census, Michigan (PL 94-171)
- Census Bureau population estimates: cities and towns
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Heights,_Michigan
- macombnowmagazine.com/project/sterling-heights-a-historic-past-and-a-bright-future
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sterling_Heights_Assembly
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet%27s_Pizza
- foreignpolicy.com/2015/03/05/from-mosul-to-motor-city
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakeside_Mall
- cbsnews.com/detroit/news/lakeside-mall-in-sterling-heights-to-close-permanently-on-july-1
- 313presents.com/venue/michigan-lottery-amphitheatre
- macombgov.org/make-macomb-your-home/outdoor-activities/trail-network/mountain-biking-and-equestrian-trails/dodge
- sterlingheights.gov
Change since 2020, per the Census Bureau estimate: −0.3 percent.
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