Flint, Michigan

Flint, Michigan is located in Genesee county along the Flint River[?] about 60 miles northwest of Detroit. Its population in 1998 was 131,000 people and it is the fourth largest city in Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 124,943. It is the county seat of Genesee County⁶.

The city was founded in 1819 by Jacob Smith, a fur trader, and was incorporated in 1855.

Flint has been host to various industries in its history:

• Trading/Trapping
• Lumber
• Carriages
• Automobiles

The city's landscape and culture is dominated by the auto industry. Some of the more notable events in Flint's history are:

• The sit down strike of 1937 turned the foundling United Auto Workers[?] into a labor union of note.
• Flint was a major contributor of tanks and other war material during World War II due to its heavy manufacturing facilities.
• The deadliest tornado on record in the United States struck Flint on June 8, 1953 killing 115 people, injuring 844. On the next day the same weather system spawned the worst tornado in New England in Worcester, Massachusetts killing another 94 people.
• Flint was the most notorious example of the effects of the 1970s collapse of the US auto industry on surrounding communities. This was highlighted in the film Roger and Me by Michael Moore.

Flint hosts a disproportionately large cultural center funded by the revenue from the auto industry in the 1950s. It boasts:

• Whiting Auditorium, a beautiful 2100 seat auditorium
• Sloan Museum, a large portion of which is dedicated to rare automobiles
• Longway Planetarium, the largest planetarium in Michigan
• Flint Institute of Arts, a well stocked art museum and learning facility

And others (Bower Theater, Flint Institute of Music, Pierce Cultural Center) all set on a 30-acre site near downtown. Flint is also host to the University of Michigan's Flint campus.

Table of contents 1 History 2 Geography 3 Demographics 4 External Links

History During the early 2000s Flint stands as an empty shell of its former self. The auto industry continues its exodus from Flint as does the population and sources of revenue. Flint has the highest crime rate in Michigan (5538 incidents/100000 residents) and the 45th highest crime rate in the United States. The unemployment rate in Flint is nearly 10% and unable to pay its debts, the city was placed into receivership with the state of Michigan in 2002.

Geography According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 88.2 km² (34.1 mi²). 87.1 km² (33.6 mi²) of it is land and 1.1 km² (0.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.26% water.

Demographics As of the census of 2000, there are 124,943 people, 48,744 households, and 30,270 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,434.5/km² (3,714.9/mi²). There are 55,464 housing units at an average density of 636.8/km² (1,649.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 41.39% White, 53.27% African American, 0.64% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.11% from other races, and 3.14% from two or more races. 2.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 48,744 households out of which 33.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.0% are married couples living together, 27.5% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% are non-families. 31.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.51 and the average family size is 3.16.

In the city the population is spread out with 30.6% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $28,015, and the median income for a family is $31,424. Males have a median income of $34,009 versus $24,237 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,733. 26.4% of the population and 22.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 37.4% are under the age of 18 and 13.4% are 65 or older.

External Links

• City of Flint (http://www.ci.flint.mi.us)
• Cultural Center (http://www.flintculturalcenter.com)