River Rouge ZIP Code List — Wayne County, MI

There is one unique ZIP code in River Rouge, Michigan and it is 48218. Area code: 313.
1
ZIP codes
2.18
sq mi land
0.03
sq mi water
313
area code
River Rouge, MI ZIP code map

About River Rouge, MI

River Rouge, Michigan is a small city located within Wayne County. This unique urban area is known for its industrial heritage and proximity to the Detroit River. It boasts a rich history and a close-knit community that contributes to its distinct character.

Location & geography

River Rouge is situated in southeastern Michigan, approximately five miles southwest of downtown Detroit. It is bordered by several neighboring cities, including Ecorse to the west, Lincoln Park to the north, and Southgate to the east. The city covers a total land area of 4.36 square miles with a small water area of 0.06 square miles, primarily comprising urban terrain.

Community & economy

The community of River Rouge is characterized by a strong sense of identity and pride among its residents. Historically, the city has been heavily influenced by its industrial sectors, notably manufacturing, which remains a significant part of daily life. Residents enjoy local parks and recreational opportunities, creating a balance between urban living and community-oriented lifestyles.

Transportation

River Rouge is easily accessible via major highways, including Interstate 75 that runs nearby, facilitating travel to and from urban centers. The nearest airport is the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, located about 15 miles to the northeast. Public transit options are available, providing residents with connections to surrounding areas.

History

River Rouge was established as a city in the early 20th century, driven by its location along the Detroit River and the growth of industry in the region. The city has historically been associated with significant manufacturing operations, particularly in the automotive sector. Notable events in its past include the establishment of the River Rouge complex, which has played a pivotal role in the local economy.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about River Rouge is that it is home to a significant portion of the historic steel industry in Michigan. Additionally, the city hosts various community events that reflect its rich cultural heritage.

ZIP codes for River Rouge, MI (1)
ZIP code City County Map
48218 River Rouge Wayne View map

Demographics & statistics

7,204
Population
34.9
Median age
$26,435
Median household income
$20,548
Per capita income
$49,400
Median home value
$731
Median monthly rent
50.6%
Home ownership
43.8%
Poverty rate
12.8%
Unemployment
2,047
Housing units
8.1%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
174
Under 5
164
280
5–9
262
302
10–14
283
168
15–19
158
302
20–24
284
644
25–34
604
419
35–44
392
496
45–54
465
284
55–59
266
225
60–64
211
353
65–74
330
55
75–84
51
17
85+
15
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 181,60922.3%
18 and over5,59577.7%
65 and over82111.4%
Median age34.9 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 41.8%
White 33.1%
Two or more races 14.6%
Hispanic or Latino 9.6%
Other race 0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native 0.2%
GroupCount%
Black or African American3,33041.8%
White2,63733.1%
Two or more races1,16014.6%
Hispanic or Latino7649.6%
Other race620.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native150.2%

Household income

Under $10k 17.5%
$10k–$15k 14.7%
$15k–$25k 16.7%
$25k–$35k 7.6%
$35k–$50k 11.9%
$50k–$75k 17.9%
$75k–$100k 3.8%
$100k–$150k 4.7%
$150k–$200k 2.7%
$200k+ 2.4%
Range% of households
Under $10k17.5%
$10k–$15k14.7%
$15k–$25k16.7%
$25k–$35k7.6%
$35k–$50k11.9%
$50k–$75k17.9%
$75k–$100k3.8%
$100k–$150k4.7%
$150k–$200k2.7%
$200k+2.4%
Median income$26,435

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 50.5%
$50k–$100k 40.5%
$100k–$150k 5.5%
$150k–$200k 1.2%
$200k–$300k 2.4%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$49,400
Median rent / month$731
Owner occupied50.6%
Renter occupied49.4%
Vacant16.6%
Single-family detached62.1%
Large apartment buildings3.0%
Mobile homes0.7%
Median rooms5.2
Avg household size (owned)3.01

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.0%
2010–20190.8%
2000–20092.3%
1990–19993.1%
1980–19892.8%
1970–19793.4%
1960–196913.4%
1950–195914.9%
1940–194913.9%
1939 or earlier45.4%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)3.4%
1 bedroom17.5%
2 bedrooms23.7%
3 bedrooms39.7%
4 bedrooms9.9%
5+ bedrooms5.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle20.9%
1 vehicle41.3%
2 vehicles26.2%
3 or more11.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas88.8%
Electricity8.7%
Propane / LP gas0.5%
Wood0.1%
No fuel used1.2%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family60820.9%
Cohabiting couple1465.0%
Male householder, no spouse96233.1%
Female householder, no spouse1,18840.9%
Households with children under 1858220.0%
Households with seniors (65+)66522.9%
Average household size2.48

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married51.5%53.5%
Married25.3%25.6%
Separated0.0%0.5%
Widowed2.6%8.1%
Divorced20.5%12.3%

Education

Less than 9th grade 7.3%
Some HS, no diploma 12.6%
HS graduate 41.2%
Some college, no degree 23.7%
Associate's degree 7.2%
Bachelor's degree 6.2%
Graduate / professional 1.9%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher80.1%
Bachelor's or higher8.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool694.5%
Kindergarten815.3%
Elementary school87657.0%
High school27918.2%
College / grad school23215.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.9%
Manufacturing 18.4%
Transportation & utilities 11.7%
Retail trade 10.8%
Arts, food & hospitality 8.9%
Other services 7.5%
Construction 6.2%
Public administration 5.9%
Professional & management 5.5%
Finance & real estate 5.2%
Agriculture & mining 1.1%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts20.9%
Service26.4%
Sales & office16.8%
Natural resources & construction7.2%
Production & transportation28.7%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector84.5%
Government11.7%
Self-employed3.7%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone78.4%
Carpool7.9%
Public transit0.3%
Walk3.5%
Other means3.7%
Avg commute (minutes)23.2

Poverty

All people 43.8%
Under 18 years 68.6%
18 and over 36.7%
Married-couple families 16.1%
Female-led households 57.1%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security31.0%
Retirement income20.3%
Supplemental Security13.9%
Cash public assistance4.7%
Food stamps / SNAP42.3%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure41.9%
High cholesterol33.8%
Heart disease8.6%
Stroke6.0%
Asthma15.7%
Arthritis34.1%
Kidney disease4.7%
Pulmonary disease12.2%
Cancer5.5%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking15.5%
No physical activity35.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep42.9%
Fair or poor health29.5%
Poor mental health21.9%
Poor physical health17.8%
No health insurance17.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)76.6%
Visited dentist48.0%
Cholesterol screening88.5%
Teeth loss29.7%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans2534.5%
Disability%
Any disability17.6%
Under 183.2%
18–64 years20.6%
65 and over28.3%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance34.3%
Public insurance66.0%
Uninsured under 191.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only6,86695.3%
Spanish2774.0%
Other Indo-European2774.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)6,89195.7%
Born in same state6,76994.0%
Born in different state5,80380.6%
Foreign born1221.7%
Naturalized citizen3134.3%
Not a US citizen15348.9%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Arab5167.2%
Italian3314.6%
French991.4%
AncestryCount%
German410.6%
Dutch260.4%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access40.3%
Internet access84.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What is the ZIP code for River Rouge, MI?
River Rouge, MI has one ZIP code: 48218.
What is the main ZIP code for River Rouge, MI?
The primary ZIP code for River Rouge, MI is 48218. The city uses area code 313 for phone service.
What county is River Rouge, MI in?
River Rouge is located in Wayne County, Michigan.
How many ZIP codes are in River Rouge, MI?
River Rouge, MI has 1 ZIP code.
What is the ZIP code for the downtown River Rouge area near the City Hall and municipal offices?
The downtown River Rouge area, including City Hall located on Visger Road, is served by ZIP code 48218.
What ZIP code covers the residential neighborhoods along the Detroit River waterfront in River Rouge?
The waterfront residential areas of River Rouge along the Detroit River are located in ZIP code 48218, which encompasses the entire city.
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