Michigan City, Indiana
Michigan City (
IPA: ) is a city in
LaPorte County,
Indiana, USA, approximately 50 miles east of
Chicago, Illinois and 40 miles west of
South Bend, Indiana. The population was 32,900 at the 2000 census.
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.
Michigan City is located at (41.709389, -86.886928).
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 (15.22%) is water.
As of the
census of 2000, there were 32,900 people, 12,550 households, and 7,906 families residing in the city. The
population density was 648.1/km² (1,678.6/mi²). There were 14,221 housing units at an average density of 280.1/km² (725.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 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.
Hispanic or
Latino of any race were 3.15% of the population.
There were 12,550 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.0% were
married couples living together, 18.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the city the population was 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 were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $33,732, and the median income for a family was $39,520. Males had a median income of $32,194 versus $23,125 for females. The
per capita income for the city was $16,995. About 10.4% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.
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.
Michigan City Area Schools, the city's public school system, includes one
high school(
Michigan City 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 one major shopping center,the Lighthouse Place
outlet mall, and one minor shopping center, the Marquette Mall
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.
The eastern edge of the
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is also located in Michigan City. Features include
Mount Baldy, a large
wandering dune. The sand found on the beaches in and near Michigan City is nicknamed "singing sand" because of the sound it produces.
[ See also [1]]In recent years, Michigan City has added a riverboat
casino, and a new skatepark to its tourism offerings.
Michigan City is a major stop along the
South Shore Line, the
United States' last
interurban streetcar line. The train runs directly through, and makes two stops in, Michigan City's downtown area.
Michigan City Municipal Airport has a 4100 ft runway and averages 118 operations per week.
*
WeAreMC - The Online Community for Michigan Cityzens Past And Present*
Michigan City Area Schools*
eMichiganCity.comThe News-Dispatch*
The South Shore Line*
Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets' website*
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore*
Washington Park Zoo
