Imlay City, Michigan

Imlay City, Michigan
Town

Location of Imlay City, Michigan
Coordinates: 43°1′21″N 83°4′40″W / 43.02250°N 83.07778°W / 43.02250; -83.07778Coordinates: 43°1′21″N 83°4′40″W / 43.02250°N 83.07778°W / 43.02250; -83.07778
Country United States
State Michigan
County Lapeer
Government
 • Type Commission-Manager
 • Mayor Pro-Tem Walt Bargen
 • City Manager D. Wayne O'Neal
 • City Treasurer Janice Zuhlke
Area[1]
 • Total 2.37 sq mi (6.14 km2)
 • Land 2.37 sq mi (6.14 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 827 ft (252 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 3,597
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 3,587
 • Density 1,517.7/sq mi (586.0/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 48444
Area code(s) 810
FIPS code 26-40320[4]
GNIS feature ID 0628928[5]
Website www.imlaycity.org/imlaycity/

Imlay City is a town in Lapeer County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,869 at the 2000 census and 3,597 in 2010.

History

Imlay City was founded on April 1, 1850. Charles Palmer, the chief engineer of the Port Huron and Lake Michigan Railroad, bought 240 acres of land along the railroad's route at a location he anticipated would be a likely produce center between the towns of Capac and Lapeer.[6] Palmer named the city for the Connecticut-based capitalist William H. Imlay, who had invested heavily in the region after moving there in 1828.[6] Within a year and a half, the newly established city had attracted 500 residents with over 120 buildings including two hotels, 20 stores and a school.[7]

Government

The City of Imlay City has a commission-manager system of government, whereby the City Commission, consisting of seven members, makes the policies (ordinances and resolutions) of the city and the administration, including a city manager, a clerk-treasurer, and a number of other officials implement the policies. It is a weak mayoral system. The current city charter was approved by the electors of the city and signed by the Governor of Michigan in 1970. Elections for the City Commission are held every two years with four seats being up at each regular election. The three candidates for the City Commission who receive the most votes at each election are elected to four-year terms, while the candidate with the fourth highest number of votes only receives a two-year term. All commissioners are elected on an at-large basis. The mayor and mayor pro tempore are chosen by a majority vote of the City Commission; the Mayor presides over the City Commission and is considered primus inter pares, or first among equals, on the commission. The City Commission also chooses the City Manager and Clerk-Treasurer.

The major departments of the City include Fire, Police, Public Works, Building and Zoning, Parks and Recreation, and Waste Water Treatment, each having a respective head appointed by the City Manager. The City also has a nine-member zoning board of appeals, a nine-member planning commission, a board of review for tax and assessment purposes, a revolving loan and bond board, and a downtown development board, which appoints its own director. There are also numerous advisory boards appointed by the City Commission or the Mayor for such things as parks and recreation and the Lamb-Steele building.

The City Charter also grants limited initiative and referendum powers to the resident electors of the city. Millage rates above a particular threshold or for specific causes and the issuance of certain types of bonds also require a vote of the electors. The City Charter can only be changed by a vote of the resident electors of the city, though both state and federal laws can invalidate or manipulate the effect of its provisions.

The city is a part of the Lapeer County Economic Development Corporation.

Education

Imlay City has five public schools, which are all part of Imlay City Community Schools, and one private school. The public schools include Weston Elementary for Kindergarten through 2nd grade, Borland Elementary for 3rd through 5th grade, Imlay City Middle School for 6th grade through 8th grade, and Imlay City High School for 9th through 12th grade. There is also Venture High School, an alternative school for students who do not succeed at the traditional high school. Imlay City public schools are associated with the Lapeer County Intermediate School District and send some of their high school students to the Lapeer County Education and Technology Center. The public schools are a member of the Blue Water Area Conference for athletics and a member of the third district of the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association for musical competitions. The public schools are governed by a seven-member board of education consisting of three trustees, one secretary, one treasurer, one vice president, and one president, elected by the residents of the district to staggered six-year terms. Two members are elected every other year. The private school in Imlay City is the Imlay City Christian School, which is a non-denominational, private Christian school located just outside town; it was established in 1952 by parents of the local area.

Library

The Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library was first opened on January 27, 1990. It was constructed on the funds Ruth E. Hughes left for the Township Library through her will upon her death in March 1985. The library is governed by a seven-member board of trustees, with representation from Imlay City, Imlay Township and Attica Township.

Museum

The Imlay City Historical Museum was established in 1978 and is run by a private, non-profit organization.[8] While its historical records primarily showcase Imlay City, Imlay Township, Attica Township, Arcadia Township, Goodland Township and the surrounding areas, it also has had such items as a World War I handgun exhibit. In front of its building is an historical caboose that was decommissioned some time ago. The building was a train station for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, until the Imlay City Historical Commission wanted to lease the building from Grand Trunk Western after they decided to bulldoze it in 1971. Grand Trunk Western decided to lease the land to Imlay City, and from Imlay City, the Historical Commission leased the building for a museum.[9] Work was started on restoring the building, and in 1978 it was completed. The open house ceremony and dedication was held on November 9, 1979.

Geography

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1880971—
18901,25128.8%
19001,122−10.3%
19101,1744.6%
19201,2113.2%
19301,49523.5%
19401,446−3.3%
19501,65414.4%
19601,96819.0%
19701,9800.6%
19802,49526.0%
19902,92117.1%
20003,86932.5%
20103,597−7.0%
Est. 20153,573[10]−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 3,597 people, 1,356 households, and 841 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,517.7 inhabitants per square mile (586.0/km2). There were 1,600 housing units at an average density of 675.1 per square mile (260.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 82.9% White, 0.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 12.1% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 29.0% of the population.

There were 1,356 households of which 37.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.43.

The median age in the city was 33 years. 30.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 21.7% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 3,869 people, 1,496 households, and 936 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,690.4 per square mile (652.3/km²). There were 1,599 housing units at an average density of 698.6 per square mile (269.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.65% White, 0.57% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 7.78% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 19.20% of the population.

There were 1,496 households out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.5% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.26.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.3% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 16.9% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,436, and the median income for a family was $43,267. Males had a median income of $36,066 versus $22,396 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,021. About 6.4% of families and 8.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Media

Radio

WHYT, which is on 88.1 FM, is stationed in Imlay City and broadcasts Smile FM - a non-commercial, contemporary Christian radio station. Most other radio stations, both AM and FM, come from Lapeer, Flint, or the Detroit area.

Newspapers

The Tri-City Times is located and printed in Imlay City, and both the Lapeer County Press and LA View are often available to residents. National and International publications such as The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal as well as regional publications such as daily editions of The Flint Journal, Detroit Free Press, and The Detroit News are also widely available in the city.

Attractions

Imlay City is home to the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds, which holds a fair every year that includes rides, a rodeo, a demolition derby, and a farm animal competition. Also occurring at the fairground is a car show and Imlay City's "Woods and Water", a hunting and fishing extravaganza. An American Cancer Society Relay for Life is also held in Imlay City, with two different walks: the survivor walk and the team walk. Imlay City also has its own city pool, a number of parks, a portion of the Polly Ann Trail, and a farmer’s market.

Churches

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 24, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  4. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. 1 2 "Imlay City History," http://www.imlaycity.org/1/65/history.asp
  7. ↑ "Imlay City Historical Marker" http://www.michmarkers.com/startup.asp?startpage=L0780.htm
  8. ↑ "Imlay City Historical Museum" http://www.michigan.org/Property/Detail.aspx?p=G4694
  9. ↑ "About Us". Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  10. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 11, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
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