Banglatown & Hamtramck
Banglatown
The Banglatown neighborhood borders the city of Hamtramck but is in Detroit. During the 1970s and '80s, a small number of Bangladeshi immigrants began migrating to the traditionally working-class Polish neighborhood. Today, nearly half of the area's residents are foreign-born, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates, and almost a third are from Bangladesh. Just under 20 percent of residents are African-American; 40 percent are white.
Banglatown has attracted many artists thanks to organizations like Power House Productions and the Hinterlands in recent years.
Sylhet Farms and Sylhet Farmers Market are visible off the main traffic corridor of Joseph Campau, north of Carpenter. Residents are familiar with these street names, but for those not from the area—one minute, you're in Detroit; the next, you are in Hamtramck. If you're ever confused, know the street signs in Detroit are green, and the Hamtramck signs are blue. A small insider tip.
Hamtramck
Hamtramck is a city within the metropolitan area of Detroit in Michigan. It is a densely populated city of over 22,500 people occupying row after row of two-story, turn-of-the-century bungalows packed into two square miles.
Known in the 20th century as a vibrant center of Polish American life and culture, Hamtramck is now considered the most diverse city in Michigan with immigrants from Yemen, Bangladesh, Bosnia, and Poland. It made history in November 2015 when it became the first American city to elect a Muslim-majority city council. It made history again in 2021, becoming the first city in the U.S. to have a 100% Muslim city council, and we elected the first Muslim Mayor, Amer Ghalib. He replaced Karen Majewski, who has served as Mayor since 2006. This unique place embraces multiple cultures, backgrounds, and religions. There are over 30 languages spoken within this city. For those who like trying good ethnic foods, Hamtramck is the place to go. People volunteer with One New Humanity and often try one of the local restaurants afterward. Our favorites are Yemen Café, Aladdin's, and Balkan House.