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Saline, Michigan

Coordinates: 42°10′00″N 83°46′54″W / 42.16667°N 83.78167°W / 42.16667; -83.78167
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Saline, Michigan
City
Downtown Saline
Downtown Saline
Official seal of Saline, Michigan
Seal
Location of Saline, Michigan
Location of Saline, Michigan
CountryUnited States
StateMichigan
CountyWashtenaw
Government
 • TypeCity Council
 • MayorBrian Marl (D)
 • State Rep.Gretchen Driskell (D-52)
 • US House Rep.Tim Walberg (R-MI07)
Area
[1]
 • Total4.33 sq mi (11.21 km2)
 • Land4.26 sq mi (11.03 km2)
 • Water0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation
820 ft (250 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total8,810
 • Estimate 
(2012[3])
8,976
 • Density2,068.1/sq mi (798.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
48176
Area code734
FIPS code26-71140[4]
GNIS feature ID0637119[5]
Saline Farmers Market

Saline /səˈliːn/ is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,810.

The city is popular for its annual Celtic Festival, which attracts people from all over the United States and its sister cities Brecon, Wales, United Kingdom (established 1966) and Lindenberg, Germany (established 2003). It is also the hometown of the Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic, formerly known as the two separate groups Saline Fiddlers and Fiddlers ReStrung, two nationally renowned high school bluegrass/fiddle groups. Saline, whose well-regarded school district is perhaps its biggest draw, was ranked the 63rd best place to live (out of 1,300 location) in a 2009 CNN/Money Magazine survey, and it also made CNN/Money's list of best places to retire in 2005.[6]

History

Before the 18th century, Native Americans traveled to what is now Saline to hunt wildlife and gather salt from the salt springs they found nearby. In the 18th century, French explorers canoed up to the area and also harvested the salt. They named the local river Saline, which means "salty" in French. Europeans settled the area in the 19th century, most of them coming from England and Germany. Together with Orange Risdon, a government surveyor who is generally considered to be the city's founder, the residents named the town Saline, which was officially established in 1832. In 1870 railroad service, provided by the Detroit-Hillsdale-&-Indiana Railroad, first reached Saline.[7] In 1875 Salinians built one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Second-Empire frame, 2+1⁄2-story residential building, the Davenport House, a.k.a. Curtis Mansion. The town continued to grow, and in 1931 the Village of Saline became the City of Saline.[8] The Saline Fisheries Research Station was built on the site of a pioneer grist mill.[9] The city of Saline has had its own newspaper since ca. 1874 [10] and is currently served by the Saline Reporter, a weekly print publication, also providing current news on its website.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.33 square miles (11.21 km2), of which 4.26 square miles (11.03 km2) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km2) is water.[1]

The city is southwest of the City of Ann Arbor and northwest of the City of Milan, where U.S. 12 (Michigan Avenue) intersects the Saline River, a tributary of the River Raisin. The city is bounded on the southwest by Saline Township; on the southeast by York Charter Township; on the northeast by Pittsfield Charter Township; and on the northwest by Lodi Township.

Weather and climate

The weather in Saline is highly variable and is greatly influenced by the Great Lakes. Saline experiences a four-season climate, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 105°F and temperatures falling as low as -29°F in the winter. Average high temperatures in the summer range between 70°F and 85°F, with average high temperatures in the winter ranging from 15°F to 35°F. Precipitation falls year round, with snow being the main form of precipitation during the winter months. Saline experiences an average yearly snowfall of 53 inches (1.3 m), with most of that coming from "Snowstorms" and "Clippers". "Lake effect" is a common sight in Saline during the winter months; however, the snow is typically much lighter than the heavy accumulations that occur on the western side of the state, which is closer to Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes influence the weather in other ways in Saline, bringing constant clouds in the winter, even with dry air masses in place. Summers are cooler than those in surrounding states, with cool breezes off the Great Lakes when the water temperature is colder than the air temperature.

The main weather hazard in Saline—as well as in all of Southeast Michigan—is severe thunderstorms and snowstorms. Tornadoes, high winds, large hail, and lightning are the most frequent causes of death from weather in the area.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 8,810 people, 3,699 households, and 2,336 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,068.1 inhabitants per square mile (798.5/km2). There were 3,923 housing units at an average density of 920.9 per square mile (355.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 1.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population.

There were 3,699 households of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.1% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.8% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 41.1 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 8,034 people, 3,148 households, and 2,134 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,736.3 per square mile (670.0/km²). There were 3,213 housing units at an average density of 694.4 per square mile (267.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.69% White, 0.56% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population.

There were 3,048 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 persons and the average family size is 3.09 persons. In the city the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $59,382, and the median income for a family was $73,162. Males had a median income of $51,391 versus $32,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,208. About 3.0% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.

Industry and commerce

Manufacturing related operations probably account for the majority industry of in the Saline area. The largest single employer in the Saline area is Faurecia, an international automotive parts manufacturer. The University of Michigan is perhaps the second largest employer of Salinians.

Over 500 Saline area businesses are represented by, and are members of, the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce. The Saline Area Chamber of Commerce is also active in supporting various Saline area social and community causes.

City government

Saline city councilors march in the 2014 Memorial Day Parade

Brian Marl is the city's current mayor. Former mayor Gretchen Driskell was first elected in 1999 and re-elected consecutively through 2008. She was the city's longest serving mayor as well as the first female mayor.[11] Driskell declined to seek re-election is 2012, instead choosing to run for the Michigan House of Representatives. Brian Marl was elected to succeed her on November 6, 2012.[12] The city council is non-partisan, and serves at large for two-year terms.

Transportation

Ride Saline, a transit service that operates from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM from Monday to Friday, is available to Saline residents.[13]

  • US 12 runs right through downtown, and
  • US 23 is 4.25 miles east of town (along US 12), Ann Arbor–Saline Road also runs through the city's main intersection.[14]

The Ann Arbor Railroad also operates as far as Maple Rd in the north area of the city, but this portion is only used as a siding for the Faurecia Plant and only freight service is offered.

Recreation

Fiddlers ReStrung
Saline Fiddlers truck

Saline is hometown of two fiddle groups. The Fiddlers Philharmonic (Later known as Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic) was formed in 1994 by Saline Music Educator Bob Phillips. Under Phillips's leadership the group quickly gained national prominence as an example of using alternative musical styles to advance music education. Bob retired in 2003 and created a nationally known consultancy to assist music educators. In 2003, the majority of members in the group voted to become an independent nonprofit organization named "Saline Fiddlers". They bill themselves as "America's premier youth fiddling show band". Some parents and students wanted to remain under the school district's auspices and, with the school district's permission, they formed Fiddlers ReStrung.[15] Both groups continue to support the same goals of preserving American fiddling styles, spreading appreciation of this music through performance, modeling the use of alternative music styles in music education and furthering the musical education and social development of students.[16] The groups perform frequently at a wide variety of events and enjoy representing their hometown.[17][18][19] Beginning in the summer of 2014, the two groups will merge and once again become The Saline Fiddlers Philharmonic.

Schools

Saline High School in nearby Pittsfield Charter Township

Saline Area Schools operates public schools.

K-3 elementary schools operated by the district include Harvest, Woodland Meadows, and Pleasant Ridge. Heritage School (4-5), Saline Middle School, and Saline High School (in Pittsfield Charter Township) serve the city.

Notable people

Sister cities

Sister Cities sign, Michigan Ave.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  2. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  3. ^ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  4. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Saline, Michigan
  6. ^ Saline, MI Best Places to Retire 2005
  7. ^ History of Saline. Dikeman, Agnes L. Saline Area Historical Society. http://salinehistory.org/index.php?section=history&content=index. Retrieved 14 Oct. 2009.
  8. ^ History of Saline. Dikeman, Agnes L. Saline Area Historical Society. http://salinehistory.org/index.php?section=history&content=index. Retrieved 18 April 2006.
  9. ^ "Saline Fisheries Research Station". Retrieved 2009-06-12.
  10. ^ "Saline History". Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  11. ^ Gretchen Driskell, Biography
  12. ^ Brain Marl Wins Saline Mayoral Race
  13. ^ "Ride Saline." York Township, Michigan. Retrieved on May 18, 2010.
  14. ^ "[1].". Retrieved on June 28, 2010.
  15. ^ http://archives.heritage.com/sr/20040108/R20FBNC.htm
  16. ^ Saline Fiddlers and Fiddlers Restrung Program Distinctives document from the Saline Fiddlers and the Saline Area Schools Community Education Program
  17. ^ "Saline Michigan - Events". Besaline.com. Retrieved 2013-06-29.
  18. ^ Tara Cavanaugh, Saline Fiddlers and Fiddlers Restrung embrace their roles as musical ambassadors, AnnArbor.com, July 25, 2010
  19. ^ [2][dead link]
  20. ^ Sister Cities - City of Saline, Michigan
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42°10′00″N 83°46′54″W / 42.16667°N 83.78167°W / 42.16667; -83.78167

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