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Michigan City, Indiana

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Michigan City, Indiana
Location in the state of Indiana
Location in the state of Indiana
CountyLaPorte
Government
 • MayorChuck Oberlie
Population
 (2005)
 • Total
33,000
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
Websitehttp://www.emichigancity.com

Michigan City (IPA: [ˈmɪʃ.ɪ.gɪn ˈsɪ.ti]) 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.

Geography

Michigan City is located at 41°42′34″N 86°53′13″W / 41.70944°N 86.88694°W / 41.70944; -86.88694Invalid arguments have been passed to the {{#coordinates:}} function (41.709389, -86.886928)Template:GR.

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.

Demographics

As of the censusTemplate:GR 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.

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.

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.

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.[1]

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

Transportation

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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.

Notes

  1. ^ "Best Beach: Washington Park Beach". Lake Magazine (electronic version). July 2005. Retrieved 2006-04-29. See also [1]

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