Detroit, once a thriving industrial powerhouse known for its automotive legacy and cultural contributions, has seen its population shrink dramatically over the decades. Nicknamed Motown, The Motor City, and Hockeytown, the city’s blue-collar roots and Midwestern identity remain central to its story, even as it grapples with the challenges of decline. The shift from its peak era reflects broader economic transformations that have reshaped urban landscapes across America. This look at Detroit’s past and present explores how a city synonymous with ambition has adapted—or struggled—to survive in a changing world.

Motown, The Motor City, Hockeytown. Detroit is a proud, blue-collar, Midwestern city that at one time was home to 1.86 million people. It has since fallen from grace but is…