ANN ARBOR, a city of Michigan, U.S.A., on the Huron river, 38m. W. of Detroit ; the county-seat of Washtenaw county. It is served by the Michigan Central and the Ann Arbor railways, and by electric trolley and motor-coach lines. The population was 19,516 in 1920, and was 26,944 in 193o.
Ann Arbor is the trade centre of a rich farming and fruit growing region. The river provides good water-power, and there are substantial manufacturing industries. In 1927, 47 establish ments produced commodities valued at $7,982,697, including auto trucks and trailers, furniture, agricultural implements, pianos and organs, pottery and flour. The University of Michigan (q.v.) is situated there, and brings to the city a transient population of 12,000 or more in the course of the year. Catering to their needs gives employment, directly or indirectly, to a considerable part of the permanent population. As the university has no dormitories for men, and not enough for women, the single item of providing lodging for students deserves to be mentioned as a major industry.
Ann Arbor was settled, laid out, and chosen as the county-seat in 1824; incorporated as a village in 1833; and chartered as a city in 1851. It was named in honour of Ann Allen and Ann Rumsey, wives of two of the founders.