Many people are surprisingly unaware that there is a Korean community in Detroit.

While it doesn't have a large Korean town like LA, New York, or New Jersey, it is estimated that around 15,000 to 20,000 Koreans reside in the Detroit metro area.

About 3,000 to 5,000 live in the city of Detroit, while the majority are concentrated in the northern suburbs of Oakland County, including Troy, Novi, West Bloomfield, Southfield, and Auburn Hills.

A key feature of the Korean community in Detroit is its deep connection to the automotive industry. Major South Korean companies like Hyundai, Kia, Samsung, LG, and Hanwha have offices or research facilities in the Detroit metro area, leading to a significant number of Koreans and their families being dispatched as expatriates.

Additionally, there are many Korean engineers and researchers working for the Big Three American automakers: Ford, GM, and Stellantis. There are also Korean professionals in fields such as healthcare, law, and education forming part of the community.

The overall atmosphere of the community is quiet and solid. Instead of a large Korean commercial area or town, there is a strong tendency for the community to bond around churches. There are several Korean churches in the Troy and Novi areas, and local information is shared through church newsletters, KakaoTalk open chats, and the BAND app.

Various small communities, such as parent groups, golf clubs, hiking clubs, and food gatherings, are actively organized. Families are increasingly moving to the Troy area for its good school districts, showing a strong interest in their children's education.

Organizations related to the Korean community in the Detroit metro area include the Michigan Korean Association and the Michigan Korean Chamber of Commerce, with major Korean events such as the Chuseok Festival, Liberation Day celebrations, and Korean Day.

The Korean consular services for Michigan are managed by the Consulate General in Chicago, so for passport renewals or consular services, one must travel to Chicago or use the consular visit service. Chicago is about a 4 to 5-hour drive from Detroit. Recently, there has been an increase in younger Koreans, including international students, IT professionals, and startup personnel, contributing to a gradual diversification of the community's generations.

Although the Korean community in Detroit is not large, it is closely connected, allowing newcomers to settle in relatively quickly by attending church or Korean gatherings. H Mart in Troy makes it easy to find Korean ingredients, and Korean restaurants, beauty salons, and educational services are also established in the Troy and Novi areas, providing a decent living infrastructure.

While not the largest Korean community in the Midwest, the Detroit metro Korean society continues to maintain steady growth.