Flint, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Flint
City
Downtown Flint Applewood Estate Sloan Museum Longway Planetarium Capitol Theater
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  Vehicle City (official) Flint Town (unofficial)
Motto(s):  "Strong and Proud"
Flint Location in Michigan Show map of Michigan Flint Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Genesee
Settled	1819
Incorporated	1855
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
• Body	Flint City Council
Area
• City	34.10 sq mi (88.33 km2)
• Land	33.44 sq mi (86.61 km2)
• Water	0.67 sq mi (1.72 km2)
Elevation	751 ft (229 m)
Population  (2020)
• City	81,252
• Estimate  (2021)	80,628
• Rank	US: 438th MI: 12th
• Density	2,429.78/sq mi (938.13/km2)
• Urban	298,964 (US: 134th)
• Urban density	1,455.1/sq mi (561.8/km2)
• Metro	404,208 (US: 135th)
Demonym(s)	Flintstone
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	48501–48507, 48531, 48532, 48550–48557, 48559
Area code(s)	810
FIPS code	26-29000
GNIS feature ID	0626170

Flint is a city in Michigan, United States. It is the biggest city in Genesee County. Flint is located along the Flint River, about 66 miles (106 km) northwest of Detroit. In 2020, about 81,252 people lived in Flint. This makes it the twelfth-largest city in Michigan.

Flint started as a small village in 1819. It was founded by a fur trader named Jacob Smith. In the 1800s, it became a major center for cutting and selling lumber. Later, it became famous for making carriages and then cars. This is why it's nicknamed "Vehicle City."

General Motors (GM), a huge car company, was started in Flint in 1908. The city became a powerhouse for making cars, especially for GM's Buick and Chevrolet brands. Flint was also where the important sit-down strike happened in 1936–37. This strike helped create the United Auto Workers union.

Since the late 1960s, Flint has faced many challenges. GM reduced its number of workers in the area. The city's population also dropped a lot, from nearly 200,000 in 1960 to about 81,000 in 2020. From 2014 to 2019, Flint had a serious public health issue because of lead in its water. The city has worked hard to fix this problem, getting new clean water and replacing old pipes.

Exploring Flint's Past: A City's Journey

The Early Days: From Fur Trade to Lumber Boom

The area where Flint is now was once home to several Ojibwe tribes. They had important communities along the Flint River. In 1819, Jacob Smith, a fur trader, set up a trading post here. He was friends with both the Ojibwe and the government.

Flint grew because it was a good stopping point between Detroit and Saginaw. It became a village in 1855. In the late 1800s, Flint was a big center for the lumber industry in Michigan. The money from lumber helped start a business making horse-drawn carriages.

How Car Manufacturing Began in Flint

As cars started to replace carriages, Flint naturally became a key player in the new car industry. The Buick Motor Company moved to Flint. Other car brands like Dort and Chevrolet also had their main factories here. For a while, all Buicks and Chevrolets were made in Flint.

The first Ladies' Library Association in Michigan started in Flint in 1851. This was the beginning of the Flint Public Library.

The Auto Industry Takes Off: General Motors and Worker Rights

Buick factory complex in Flint, 1912

In 1904, a local businessman named William C. Durant took over Buick. By 1908, Buick was the biggest car maker. In 1908, Durant founded General Motors (GM) in Flint. GM later moved its main office to Detroit.

Flint's history has been shaped by the car industry and car culture for a long time. A very important event was the Sit-Down Strike in 1936–1937. Workers at General Motors sat down inside the factories and refused to leave. This strike helped the United Auto Workers union become very strong. It led to many workers across the U.S. joining unions.

During World War II, Flint's factories made many tanks and other war machines. This showed how important the city was to the country. In 1953, a huge tornado, known as the Flint-Beecher tornado, hit the city. It sadly killed 116 people.

Flint's Golden Age and New Beginnings

Flint's population reached its highest point in 1960, with almost 200,000 people. The 1950s and 1960s were a time of great success for Flint. Many important places were built, like the Flint Cultural Center. This center is still a major attraction today.

Challenges and Changes: A City Adapts

Since the late 1960s, Flint has faced many challenges. The city saw a decline as factories closed and people moved away. This was partly because of rising oil prices and foreign car companies making more fuel-efficient cars.

In the 1980s, GM greatly reduced its workforce in Flint. Many jobs were moved to other places or replaced by machines. This decline was shown in the film Roger & Me by Michael Moore. The movie highlighted the struggles of the city.

Managing Financial Challenges

Flint has faced financial difficulties several times. When the city had money problems, the state of Michigan stepped in to help manage its finances. This happened from 2002 to 2004 and again from 2011 to 2015. During these times, state-appointed managers made decisions to help the city get back on track.

The Water Crisis and Recovery

President Barack Obama sips filtered Flint water following a roundtable on the Flint water crisis, 2016

From 2014 to 2019, Flint experienced a major public health crisis. The city's water source was changed, and the water became contaminated with lead. This caused serious health problems for many residents.

The city has worked hard to fix the water problem. They have found a new source of clean water and replaced many old pipes with new ones. Water filters have also been given to residents. While the immediate crisis has been addressed, the community is still working to rebuild trust.

Downtown Revitalization and New Projects

The Durant, built in 1919

Flint has been working to redevelop and improve its downtown area. Old buildings like the First National Bank have been renovated into new spaces. The historic Durant Hotel was turned into apartments and commercial spaces.

Local groups are also working to improve areas around the universities. They are creating a "University Corridor" to connect the University of Michigan–Flint and Kettering University. The city is also tearing down many abandoned homes to create new opportunities for growth.

The Paterson Building

Flint's Location and Layout

Downtown Flint looking northwest, taken from a now-demolished skyscraper, the Genesee Towers. The downtown core has seen some improvement in recent years due to an influx of younger people, college students, and new restaurants and bars.

Flint is located in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan. The Flint River flows through the city. The city covers about 34 square miles (88 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water.

Neighborhoods and Their Stories

Hall's Flats on the West Side is one of Flint's many neighborhoods.

Flint has many different neighborhoods. The downtown area is focused around Saginaw Street. Nearby, you'll find Carriage Town and the Grand Traverse Street District. These areas have many beautiful old Victorian homes.

The University Avenue area in Carriage Town is home to many college fraternity houses. East of the highway, you'll find Central Park and Fairfield Village. These neighborhoods are known for their strong community groups.

The North Side and 5th Ward are mainly African American neighborhoods. They have historic areas like Buick City and Civic Park. The South Side has also seen many people move there from other states. The East Side is home to the Applewood Mott Estate and the Flint Cultural Center. This area is one of Flint's more prosperous parts.

The West Side includes the Mott Park neighborhood and Kettering University. It also has historic homes once owned by famous car executives. Many former and current General Motors facilities are located throughout the city.

The Genesee Towers (left), now demolished, and Mott Foundation Building (right). The Flint Journal's former headquarters (now used by the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine) is to the far left.

The Genesee Towers, once Flint's tallest building, was completed in 1968. It later became empty and was taken down in 2013.

Flint's Weather: A Look at the Climate

Climate chart for Flint

Flint has a humid continental climate. This means it has cold winters with lots of snow. Summers are warm to hot. Temperatures can drop below 0°F (-18°C) in winter and go above 90°F (32°C) in summer.

The city gets a moderate amount of rain and snow throughout the year. Snow usually falls from November to April.

Who Lives in Flint: Population and Diversity

In 2020, Flint had a population of 81,252 people. The city is home to a diverse mix of people. About 55.7% of the population is Black or African American, and 32.5% is White. There are also people of Native American, Asian, and other backgrounds. About 4.9% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Sports and Recreation in Flint

Flint has a strong sports history and many active teams.

Basketball: A City's Pride

Many famous basketball players come from Flint. These include NBA champion Glen Rice and three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee. Other notable players are Morris Peterson, Mateen Cleaves, and Charlie Bell. These last three were part of the "Flintstones" team that won a National Championship for Michigan State University in 2000.

The movie Semi-Pro (2008), starring Will Ferrell, is about a fictional basketball team called the "Flint Tropics."

Ice Hockey: The Flint Firebirds

In 2015, an ice hockey team called the Plymouth Whalers moved to Flint. They changed their name to the Flint Firebirds. They play in the Ontario Hockey League.

Other Sports and Events

Flint also has a semi-pro football team, the Flint Fury, who play at Atwood Stadium. The city is twinned with Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Amateur athletes from both cities compete in the CANUSA Games every year.

Learning in Flint: Schools and Libraries

Frances Willson Thompson Library at the University of Michigan–Flint

Flint has several colleges and universities:

• University of Michigan–Flint
• Kettering University
• Mott Community College
• Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

Public schools in Flint are part of the Flint Community Schools system. Students attend elementary, middle, and high schools. The city also has private and charter schools. The state-run Michigan School for the Deaf is located in Flint.

The Flint Public Library has a large collection of books, audio materials, and videos for everyone to enjoy.

Flint in the Media: News and Entertainment

The former Flint Journal Building, now used by the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine

The main newspaper in Flint is The Flint Journal. It has been around since 1876. While it used to be a daily paper, it now publishes a few times a week. There are also local magazines and online news sources that cover Flint.

Television and Radio

Flint has its own TV station, WJRT-TV (ABC). Other TV stations that serve the area are based in nearby cities like Saginaw and Bay City.

Flint also has a rich history in radio. Some of the first stations in the country to play music for the Black community were in Flint. Famous DJ Casey Kasem had his first radio job here.

Local TV Stations

Local AM Radio Stations

Local FM Radio Stations

Flint in Movies and TV Shows

Flint has been featured in many films and TV shows. The documentary Roger & Me by Michael Moore is about the economic changes in Flint. The movie Semi-Pro is set in Flint. The Netflix documentary Flint Town shows the daily lives of police officers in the city.

Getting Around Flint: Transportation and Services

MTA Transit Center

Roads and Highways

Several major highways run through Flint, making it easy to travel by car. These include I-69, I-75, and I-475.

Bus and Rail Travel

The Flint Mass Transportation Authority (MTA) provides local bus services within the city. For longer trips, Indian Trails offers bus service to other cities.

Amtrak provides passenger train service from Flint to places like Chicago and Port Huron. Freight trains also operate in the city.

Airports

Flint is served by Bishop International Airport. This airport has flights for both passengers and cargo. Smaller, private planes can use Dalton Airport nearby.

Healthcare Services

Flint has important healthcare facilities, including Hurley Medical Center and McLaren Regional Medical Center. These hospitals provide medical care to the community.

A Stat EMS ambulance, a defunct private ambulance company that served the city.

Global Connections: Flint's Sister Cities

Flint has "sister city" relationships with other cities around the world. These connections help promote cultural exchange and understanding. Flint's sister cities are:

• Changchun, Jilin, China
• Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
• Kielce, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, Poland
• Tolyatti, Samara Oblast, Russia

Flint in Books and Music

Books Set in Flint

Many books have been written about Flint or are set there. Some popular fiction books include:

• The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
• Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis

Non-fiction books about Flint include:

• What the Eyes Don't See by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, which is about the water crisis.
• Teardown: Memoir of a Vanishing City by Gordon Young

Music from Flint

A railroad bridge in Flint re-painted to show the name of rock band Grand Funk Railroad, which was formed in the city in 1969.

Flint has a lively music scene. It is known for its unique rap style, with artists like Rio Da Yung OG and Bfb Da Packman. This rap style often has bouncy beats and funny lyrics.

The famous rock band Grand Funk Railroad was formed in Flint in 1969. The city is also the hometown of the Pop/RnB group Ready For The World.

Notable People from Flint

Many famous people have come from Flint. You can find a full list at List of people from Flint, Michigan.

Images for kids

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  Flag of Flint

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  Seal of Flint

See also

In Spanish: Flint (Míchigan) para niños