Detroit Future City

Detroit Future City is a think tank, a policy advocate, and an innovation engine developing data-driven strategies to create a more equitable and sustainable future for Detroit.

Registration Open for Detroit Future City's Future City Forum!

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Detroit Future City is approaching what promises to be our most impactful gathering yet. Now in our sixth year of bringing together Detroit's most passionate changemakers, we're stepping into a bold new chapter for the forum. Registration is now open for the sixth annual Forum and Pre-Event Reception.

Detroit Future City's New Brief to Inform the Detroit 2025 Mayoral Election - April 17, 2025

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Detroit Future City has released the "Opportunities for the Next Mayoral Administration to Grow Detroit’s Middle Class" which focuses on key policy priorities for the next mayoral administration to grow Detroit’s middle class.

Detroit Future City's New Brief on 2023 Mortgage Data Update - December 9, 2024

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Detroit Future City has released the "Detroit Mortgage Data Update: 2023" to provide an updated look at the data originally presented in the 2022 report "Buying In." The brief continues DFC's tracking of the city’s mortgage market.

2024 Equity Forum Panel featured on American Black Journal

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“American Black Journal” on Detroit PBS brings you a portion of the 5th annual Detroit Future City Equity Forum.

Detroit Future City Releases New Brief Addressing Community Health in Detroit - Oct. 24, 2024

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Detroit Future City has released "Creating a Healthy Detroit: Understanding How the Systems We Live in Impact Our Health," a new publication that outlines social determinants of health that impact a thriving and resilient Detroit.

Detroit Future City Releases New Report on Building a Middle Class Detroit - Sept. 25, 2024

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Detroit Future City has released "Making the Middle Class: Leveraging Detroit’s Neighborhoods to Build a Middle-Class City,” a new report that examines key factors related to becoming a middle-class city, including population change, income and education, housing, and neighborhood quality.

Detroit Future City's New Brief on Latino Education & Workforce Outcomes - July 23, 2024

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Detroit Future City has released "Prosperidad Económica: Education and Workforce Outcomes for Detroit’s Latino/Hispanic Community," a new publication on Latino/Hispanic Detroiter's education and workforce outcomes, and what solutions are needed to address the challenges.

Detroit Future City Releases New Report on Micro and Small Businesses - May 22, 2024

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Detroit Future City releases new report, “State of Micro and Small Businesses in the Detroit Region,” provides insight into the outlooks, challenges, and goals of Detroit-region small businesses, based on 1,235 survey responses from small business owners in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.

Detroit Future City Releases "Keeping Your Family Home," New Report on Heirs' Properties - Feb. 27, 2024

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Detroit Future City has released the “Keeping Your Family Home: Addressing the Challenges of Inherited Properties in Detroit” report to detail the scale of family-owned properties in Detroit inherited through generations without formal legal proof of ownership.

Detroit Future City's CEO, Anika Goss, Discussed Detroit's Climate Crisis at TED Countdown Summit - July 11, 2023

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How can cities become resilient to the shocks of climate change? As a leading force behind Detroit's ongoing revitalization, Anika Goss spends a lot of time thinking about this question. Connecting the city's industrial past to its sustainable future, she explores the link between climate vulnerability and economic inequity, offering a vision for responding to both challenges at once.

Our core areas

Detroit Future City’s Economic Inclusion department works to promote equity and inclusion in education, employment, and business opportunities for all Detroiters, with the goal of growing Detroit’s Black Middle Class.

ECONOMIC INCLUSION

Detroit Future City’s Equitable Neighborhood Planning department combines original research, cross-sector collaboration, technical assistance, and policy development to foster a more equitable and resilient city.

EQUITABLE NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING

Detroit Future City’s Land Use & Design department works to foster equity and sustainability in Detroit neighborhoods promoting the use of Green Stormwater Infrastructure and open space projects.

LAND USE & DESIGN

The Center for Equity, Engagement, and Research (The Center) produces relevant and accessible research focused on advancing economic equity and an improved quality of life for all Detroiters.

THE CENTER FOR EQUITY, ENGAGEMENT, & RESEARCH

CHECK OUT OUR RESOURCES

DFC 2030 Plan
Economic Equity Dashboard
Videos
Research
Tools

Latest News

What we’re learning from Detroit’s first batch of mayoral forums

What we’re learning from Detroit’s first batch of mayoral forums
In the Media | May 15, 2025

In this article, Malachi Barrett from Bridge Detroit discusses Detroit mayoral candidates’ participation in various forums to help voters understand their policy positions and inform endorsements by local organizations. Barrett […]

All-hands effort needed to make Detroit a middle-class city again, report says

All-hands effort needed to make Detroit a middle-class city again, report says
In the Media | September 25, 2024

In this Crain’s Detroit Business article, Nick Manes highlights that revitalizing Detroit’s middle class will require a collective, all-hands-on-deck approach. This includes coordinated efforts from government, businesses, and local organizations […]

More Black Detroiters got home loans since 2018, report shows

More Black Detroiters got home loans since 2018, report shows
In the Media | September 25, 2024

In this Detroit Free Press article, Nushrat Rahman shares how DFC’s new report is focused on Detroit becoming a middle-class city to grow and thrive. Her three main takeaways from […]