Michigan City, Indiana/draft

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 41°42′34″N, 86°53′13″W
Michigan City, Indiana
Location in the state of Indiana
County	LaPorte
Mayor	Chuck Oberlie
Area
- City	59.9 km²
- Land	50.8 km²
- Water	9.1 km²
Population
- City (2000)	32,900
- Density	648./km²
Website: http://www.emichigancity.com

Michigan City is a city located in LaPorte County, Indiana, approximately 50 miles east of Chicago, Illinois and 40 miles west of South Bend, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 32,900.

Michigan City is noted for both its proximity to the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore national park and for its bordering Lake Michigan; because of this, Michigan City receives a fair amount of tourism during the summer months, especially by residents of Chicago.

The current mayor of Michigan City is Chuck Oberlie.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 Features
5 Transportation
6 External links

[edit] Geography

Michigan City is located at 41°42'34" North, 86°53'13" West (41.709389, -86.886928)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 59.9 km² (23.1 mi²). 50.8 km² (19.6 mi²) of it is land and 9.1 km² (3.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 15.22% water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 32,900 people, 12,550 households, and 7,906 families residing in the city. The population density is 648.1/km² (1,678.6/mi²). There are 14,221 housing units at an average density of 280.1/km² (725.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 69.45% White, 26.31% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 2.36% from two or more races. 3.15% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 12,550 households out of which 30.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% are married couples living together, 18.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% are non-families. 30.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 3.02.

In the city the population is spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 100.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $33,732, and the median income for a family is $39,520. Males have a median income of $32,194 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the city is $16,995. 13.3% of the population and 10.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.2% of those under the age of 18 and 9.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

[edit] History

Michigan City's origins began in 1830, when the land for the city was first purchased by Issac C. Elston.

The city became incorporated in 1836, by which point Michigan City had 1500 residents, along with a post office, a newspaper, a church, and a commercial district.

[edit] Features

Michigan City Area Schools, the city's public school system, includes one high school, three middle schools, and nine elementary schools. Michigan City also contains one parochial high school and several parochial elementary schools.

Michigan City contains two major shopping centers, the Marquette Mall and the Lighthouse Place Prime Outlets outlet mall, the latter being a popular tourist attraction.

St. Anthony Memorial Health Center is Michigan City's sole hospital.

In terms of media, Michigan City has one daily newspaper, The News-Dispatch. It also has one FM radio station, WEFM, though residents receive radio and television broadcasts from both Chicago and South Bend.

Michigan City also houses a zoo, and also features on its outskirts the Indiana state prison.

In recent years, Michigan City has added a riverboat casino to its tourism offerings.

[edit] Transportation

Preceding station	Amtrak Lines			Following station
Hammond, Indiana		The Wolverine (#352, #353)		Niles, Michigan

Michigan City is a major stop along the South Shore Line, one of the last interurban streetcar lines in the U.S. The train runs directly through, and makes a stop in, Michigan City's downtown area.

Michigan City Municipal Airport has a 4100 ft runway and averages 118 operations per week.