South Lyon, Michigan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

South Lyon is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,036 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Businesses
4 Schools
5 McHattie Park & The Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village
6 Pumpkinfest
7 Notable residents
8 External links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.8 km² (3.4 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 10,036 people, 4,246 households, and 2,704 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,143.0/km² (2,958.2/mi²). There were 4,461 housing units at an average density of 508.1/km² (1,314.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.68% White, 0.39% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.60% of the population.

There were 4,246 households out of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.3% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 36.0% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $53,395, and the median income for a family was $67,167. Males had a median income of $53,818 versus $32,083 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,187. About 2.8% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.5% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Businesses

South Lyon has several noteworthy local businesses, including the Michigan Seamless Tube factory[1], and the South Lyon Hotel[2].

[edit] Schools

South Lyon Community Schools covers approximately 88 square miles that includes parts of Oakland, Livingston, and Washtenaw Counties. The school district history goes back to 1834 when a one-room log schoolhouse was built just east of town. Today the school district consists of one high school, two middle schools, and seven elementary schools (Kent Lake, Sayre, Salem, Dolson, Bartlett, Brummer, and Hardy). A second high school is under construction and planned to open in fall 2007. The administration facility, built jointly with the City of South Lyon, is the first shared school/municipal building in the State of Michigan.

[edit] McHattie Park & The Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village

South Lyon's McHattie Park (on the west side of Pontiac Trail between 9 Mile and 10 Mile Roads) is the location of the Witch's Hat Depot Museum and Historic Village. The historic village consists of six buildings: Washburn School (built 1907), Queen Anne Depot (a.k.a. the Witch's Hat built 1909), the Caboose (circa 1926), The Little Village Chapel (built 1930's), the Freight House (built 1984), and the Gazebo (1990). With the exceptions of the Freight House and the Gazebo which were constructed on site, the historic buildings were moved to the park from their original sites starting with the Witch's Hat in 1976.

McHattie Park and the Museum and Historic Village host public events including Depot Days and free Concerts in the Park.

McHattie Park is also connected to a portion of the Huron Valley Trail System which converted an old railroad line into a public trail. The trail is managed by the Western Oakland County Trailway Management Council.

[edit] Pumpkinfest

Pumpkinfest is the largest annual festival in the South Lyon community, and traditionally takes place during the first weekend of October. Events include the children's outdoor activity venue, Kid's Creation Station w/Monster Mural, parade, entertainment, dog show, Great Pumpkin & Fun Veggies Contest, photo contest, arts & crafts show, and home arts contests & exhibits.