Midland, Michigan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Midland, Michigan
City
City of Midland
Midland County Courthouse in Midland
Flag
Location within Bay County (right) and Midland County (left)
Midland, Michigan Location in Michigan
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Counties	Bay and Midland
Incorporated	1887
Government
• Type	Council–manager
Area
• City	36.34 sq mi (94.12 km2)
• Land	34.36 sq mi (89.00 km2)
• Water	1.97 sq mi (5.11 km2)
• Urban	30.69 sq mi (79.48 km2)
Elevation	636 ft (212 m)
Population  (2010)
• City	41,863
• Estimate  (2019)	41,701
• Density	1,213.51/sq mi (468.54/km2)
• Urban	49,387
• Metro	82,874
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	48623 (Freeland) 48640–48642, 48667, 48670, 48674, 48686
Area code(s)	989
FIPS code	26-53780
GNIS feature ID	0632282

Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of Central Michigan. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,701 as of the 2019 census estimate. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area, part of the larger Saginaw-Midland-Bay City Combined Statistical Area.

History

By the late 1820s, Midland was established as a fur trading post of the American Fur Company supervised by the post at Saginaw. Here agents purchased furs from Ojibwe trappers. The Campau family of Detroit operated an independent trading post at this location in the late 1820s.

The Dow Chemical Company was founded in Midland in 1897, and its world headquarters are still located there. Through the influence of a Dow Chemical plant opening in Handa, Aichi, Japan, Midland and Handa have become sister cities. The Dow Corning Corporation and Chemical Bank are also headquartered in Midland.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 41,863 people, 17,506 households, and 10,766 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,242.2 inhabitants per square mile (479.6/km²). There were 18,578 housing units at an average density of 551.3 per square mile (212.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.0% White, 2.0% Black, 0.3% Native American, 3.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 17,506 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 38.3 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Scheduled airline service is available from MBS International Airport near Freeland and Flint's Bishop International Airport. The Jack Barstow Municipal Airport, dedicated May 30, 1936, is a general aviation airport operated by the city and available for private planes.

There is no regularly scheduled public transportation (bus service). Residents can call in advance to schedule pickup or return transport by one government sponsored agency, "Dial-A-Ride", offering transport within the city only. Then there is "County Connection" a private run public transport for those outside the city of Midland but still within Midland County both for a nominal fee. Both also offer reduced fare rides for elderly and youth.

• US 10, a freeway passing the northern edge of Midland, connects with Bay City on the east; Clare and Ludington (as a two-lane highway) to the west.
• 
  Bus. US 10 is a business loop through the downtown.
• M-20 connects Midland with Mount Pleasant and Big Rapids to the west.
• M-30 runs northerly from nearby Sanford to West Branch.
• M-47 links from US-10 east of the city to Saginaw and MBS International Airport

Power

In 1967, Dow Chemical attained criticality on a 100 kW nuclear research reactor at the Midland facility, primarily as a neutron source and to irradiate samples. The reactor continues to operate.

In 1968, Consumers Power began construction of a nuclear power plant in Midland, primarily for Dow Chemical Company. The project's budget was $257 million, with completion anticipated in 1972. Extreme construction problems caused years of delays and costs soared. The Three Mile Island accident in 1979 resulted in a massive change in nuclear regulatory requirements and system redesign. When it was revealed that the containment buildings were settling and foundation cracks were discovered, Dow canceled their contract with Consumers Power, and the project was abandoned in 1984. The $4.1 billion investment nearly bankrupted Consumers Power. However, in 1985, Consumers Power formed a partnership with eight other companies to convert Midland's abandoned nuclear plant into a gas-fired power plant. Transformation of the plant began in 1986 and was completed at a cost of $500 million. The Midland Cogeneration Venture began producing power in 1991 and that success restored faith in Consumers Power. The facility now produces 10% of the power consumption for the lower peninsula of Michigan.

Geography

While the vast majority of the city exists within Midland County, a small portion of the city extends into Bay County. Most of the city's area is incorporated from Midland Township.

Topography

• According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.69 square miles (92.44 km²), of which, 33.70 square miles (87.28 km²) is land and 1.99 square miles (5.15 km²) is water.
• Midland is part of the Flint/Tri-Cities.

Climate

Sites of interest

Midland Center for the Arts

Midland has many cultural opportunities in fields ranging from music and theater to science and the arts. The Midland Center for the Arts delivers hands-on exhibits in science, art and technology, at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art. The Center also provides two state-of-the-art auditoriums for audiences of 400 to 1500 to enjoy everything from the Midland Symphony Orchestra and Center Stage Theatre, to professional programming through MATRIX: Midland.

Midland County Historical Societies Heritage Park provides an opportunity to explore Midland County's history through a variety of avenues. The Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center houses a research library, gift shop and the interactive Dorothy Dow Arbury Midland County History Gallery, which provides hands on exhibits for exploring Midland County's history. Also located at Heritage Park is the Herbert H. Dow Historical Museum, which explores the history and growth of the Dow Chemical Company founded in Midland by Herbert H. Dow. Also located on the campus is the Bradley Home Museum and Carriage House; this 1874 house built by Benjamin F. Bradley allows visitors to see an historic home and furnishings of its time. The Carriage House holds an extensive collection of sleighs and carriages, and it has the largest working blacksmith shop in the Mid-Michigan area.

Midland City parks number 72 with over 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of park land. Seven are classified as Regional Parks, typically larger than 200 acres; seven are considered Community Parks, normally over 15 acres; Neighborhood Parks number 19, usually from five to ten acres in size, located within residential areas; and the 36 Mini-Parks are mostly less than an acre. Other city-owned land includes pathways, undeveloped areas intended for "passive recreation", waterfront areas and protected natural areas.

Skaters of all skill levels use Midland's new 107,000-square-foot (9,900 m²) Civic Arena, which has two NHL-sized rinks and one Olympic-sized rink. A BMX track is located in Midland's Stratford park. Winner of a 2005 Michigan Cool Cities grant (a grass-roots, volunteer-based training program to revitalize a downtown area), Downtown Midland offers dining, shopping and entertainment for the whole family.

Walkers, joggers, bikers, and skaters can use the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, a ribbon of asphalt stretching 30 miles (50 km) to the neighboring city of Clare. Midland County's system of natural pathways continues to expand with the recent addition of the Chippewa Trail, which connects to the Pere Marquette trail. The Chippewa Trail ends at the Chippewa Nature Center. This has a territory of more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) of deciduous and coniferous woods, rivers, ponds, wetlands (marsh, fen, bog, and swamp) and upland fields.

Also in the recreation mix are two golf courses, the Midland Community Center (with multiple swimming pools and exercise facilities), the West Midland Family Center, the North Midland Family Center, the Midland Gymnastics Training Center, the Midland Community Tennis Center and the Midland Curling Center.

Midland's Dow Gardens feature 100-acre (40 ha) of flower and vegetable gardens, plus an arboretum. These were the original gardens of the Herbert H. Dow homestead and are open for tours. In addition, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio offers tours of this landmark American architect's unique and influential style. Alden Dow designed the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, Midland's public library named in his mother's honor.

More than 100 places of worship county-wide represent a variety of denominations and architectural styles, earning Midland the nickname "City of Beautiful Churches". Midland's Volunteer Center recruits upwards of 2,000 volunteers each year, and the United Way of Midland County supports 25 community organizations.

List of notable places

• Alden B. Dow Home & Studio
• Chippewa Nature Center
• Dahlia Hill
• Dow Chemical Company headquarters
• Dow Corning headquarters
• Dow Corning Midland plant
• Dow Diamond, Home of the Great Lakes Loons, the Single-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League in Major League Baseball
• Dow Gardens
• Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
• Herbert H. Dow House
• Midland Center for the Arts
• Midland Civic Arena, a 1,000-seat indoor arena
• Midland Community Center
• Midland Community Stadium
• Midland Community Tennis Center
• Pere Marquette Rail-Trail
• The Tridge, a 3-way pedestrian bridge over the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers.

Retail

The city's major shopping district is located north of town, on Eastman Avenue near US-10. There are several Big-box stores located here, as well as the Midland Mall, which includes Barnes & Noble, JCPenney, Target, Younkers, and Dunhams. Midland also has a downtown on Main Street which includes local restaurants, artist co-ops, and local retail.

Historical markers

Midland County Courthouse

There are four recognized Michigan historical markers in the city.

• John and Almira Kelly House
• Midland County Courthouse
• Origins of Salt Industry / State Salt Well No. 1
• The Upper Bridge

Awards

Midland has been recognized repeatedly at the national level for its business friendly attitude and high quality of life. A sampling includes.

• Top Ten Metropolitan Areas for Economic Growth with a population under 200,000: Third Place. Business Facilities magazine
• Top Ten Alternative Energy Leaders: Third Place, Business Facilities
• Best Communities for Cultivating Entrepreneurs: Five-Star Honoree (2010), Top Honoree (2009) (University of Michigan-Dearborn eCities initiative)
• Best Small Cities to Raise a Family: Fourth Place
• Best Tennis Town in America (U.S. Tennis Association, 2009)
• 100 Best Communities for Young People: Honoree (America's Promise Foundation, 2009 and 2008)
• Michigan Companies to Watch Competition: 15 small business winners from 2006–2009 (Michigan Small Business and Technology Development Center and the Edward Lowe Foundation)
• Of 380 metropolitan areas in the United States examined by the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area had the third lowest rate of vehicle theft.

Sister cities

• Handa, Aichi, Japan

Economy

Retail

The city's major shopping district is located north of town, on Eastman Avenue near US-10. There are several Big-box stores located here, as well as the Midland Mall, which includes Barnes & Noble, Target, and Dunhams. Midland also has a downtown on Main Street which includes local restaurants, artist co-ops, and local retail.

Sports

Midland is home to many recreational sporting facilities and organizations. These include the civic ice arena which hosts 2 NHL and one Olympic-sized rinks, a skate park downtown, and the Midland Community Tennis Center and its 32 courts. The tennis center also hosts a USTA Pro Circuit event and was part of the USTA award to Midland as America's Best Tennis Town 2009.

Midland is also host to the following professional sports teams.

Education

• Midland Public Schools
• Bullock Creek Public Schools
• Davenport University
• Michigan State University (research facility)
• Northwood University
• Delta College Midland Center (DCMC)
• Ross Medical Education Center
• Alternative High Schools
  • Education and Training Connection (ETC)
  • Windover High School
• Good Shepherd Lutheran School
• Calvary Baptist Academy (since 1973)

Notable people

Images for kids

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See also

In Spanish: Midland (Míchigan) para niños