[5] A month later Detroit completed annexation of land in the township immediately to the west of River Rouge.

One of the most important historical associations with River Rouge is its relationship to a Great Lakes freighter, the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in 1975 in a fierce storm in Lake Superior, with the loss of all 29 crew.

The city had its peak of population in 1950, when industry was the mainstay of the local economy.

[6] Of the city's land area, 0.93 square miles (2.41 km2) consists of the unpopulated Zug Island.

The Mariners Memorial Light is an active lighthouse located within the city along the Detroit River.

Built in 2004, it is located within Belanger Park and is the newest constructed lighthouse in the state of Michigan.

[7] River Rouge contains its own post office located at 10455 West Jefferson Avenue.

[8] The post office uses the 48218 ZIP Code, which covers most of River Rouge and a small section of the city of Ecorse to the south.

29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.