Saline, Michigan
Encyclopedia
Saline is a city in Washtenaw County
in the U.S. state
of Michigan
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,810.
The city is popular for its annual Celtic Festival, which attracts people from all over the United States and its sister cities Brecon
, Wales
(established 1966) and Lindenberg, Germany (established 2003). It is also the hometown of the Saline Fiddlers and Fiddlers ReStrung, two nationally renowned high school bluegrass/fiddle groups. Saline, whose well-regarded school district is perhaps its biggest draw, was ranked the 43rd best place to live out of 1,300 rated cities in the United States in a 2005 CNN/Money Magazine poll, 59th in 2007's poll, and 63rd in 2009's CNN/Money Magazine and also made CNN/Money's list of best places to retire in 2005.
The Saline Fisheries Research Station was built on the site of a pioneer grist mill. The city of Saline has had its own newspaper since ca. 1874 and is currently served by the Saline Reporter, a weekly print publication, also providing current news on its website.
, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²), of which, 4.6 square miles (12.0 of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.64%) is water.
The city is southwest of the City of Ann Arbor
and northwest of the City of Milan
, where U.S. 12 (aka Michigan Avenue
) intersects the Saline River
, a tributary of the River Raisin
. The city is bounded on the southwest by Saline Township
; on the southeast by York Charter Township
; on the northeast by Pittsfield Charter Township
; and on the northwest by Lodi Township
.
The main weather hazard in Saline, Michigan—as well as in all of Southeast Michigan—is severe thunderstorms and snowstorms. Tornadoes, high winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning are the most frequent causes of death from weather in the area. Extreme cold air and flooding are next in line for the most potent hazards.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 8,034 people, 3,148 households, and 2,134 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,736.3 per square mile (670.0/km²). There were 3,213 housing units at an average density of 694.4 per square mile (267.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.69% White, 0.56% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population.
There were 3,048 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 persons and the average family size is 3.09 persons. In the city the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,382, and the median income for a family was $73,162. Males had a median income of $51,391 versus $32,254 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $26,208. About 3.0% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
is perhaps the second largest employer of Salinians.
Over 500 Saline area businesses are represented by, and are members of, the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce. The Saline Area Chamber of Commerce is also active in supporting various Saline area social and community causes.
US 12
runs right through downtown and
U.S. Route 23 is 4.25 miles east of town (along U.S. Route 12), Ann Arbor Saline road also runs through the city's main intersection.
Some parents and students wanted to remain under the school district's auspices and, with the school district's permission, they formed the Fiddlers ReStrung. Both groups continue to support the same goals of preserving American fiddling styles, spreading appreciation of this music through performance, modeling the use of alternative music styles in music education and furthering the musical education and social development of students. The groups perform frequently at a wide variety of events and enjoy representing their hometown.
Saline Area Schools
operates public schools.
K-3 elementary schools operated by the district include Harvest, Woodland Meadows, and Pleasant Ridge. Heritage School (4-5), Saline Middle School
, and Saline High School (in Pittsfield Charter Township) serve the city.
, Wales
since 1966 Lindenberg im Allgäu
, Germany
since 2003
Washtenaw County, Michigan
Washtenaw County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 344,791. Its county seat is Ann Arbor. The United States Office of Management and Budget defines the county as part of the Detroit–Warren–Flint Combined Statistical Area...
in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 8,810.
The city is popular for its annual Celtic Festival, which attracts people from all over the United States and its sister cities Brecon
Brecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
(established 1966) and Lindenberg, Germany (established 2003). It is also the hometown of the Saline Fiddlers and Fiddlers ReStrung, two nationally renowned high school bluegrass/fiddle groups. Saline, whose well-regarded school district is perhaps its biggest draw, was ranked the 43rd best place to live out of 1,300 rated cities in the United States in a 2005 CNN/Money Magazine poll, 59th in 2007's poll, and 63rd in 2009's CNN/Money Magazine and also made CNN/Money's list of best places to retire in 2005.
History
Before the 18th century, Native Americans traveled to what is now Saline to hunt wildlife and gather salt from the salt springs they found nearby. In the 18th century, French explorers canoed up to the area and also harvested the salt. They named the local river Saline, which means salty or saline in French. Europeans settled the area in the 19th century, most of them coming from England and Germany. Together with Orange Risdon, a government surveyor who is generally considered to be the city's founder, the residents named the town Saline, which was officially established in 1832. In 1870 railroad service, provided by the Detroit-Hillsdale-&-Indiana Railroad, first reached Saline. In 1875 Salinians built one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Second-Empire frame, -story residential building, the Davenport House, a.k.a. Curtis Mansion. The town continued to grow, and in 1931 the Village of Saline became the City of Saline.The Saline Fisheries Research Station was built on the site of a pioneer grist mill. The city of Saline has had its own newspaper since ca. 1874 and is currently served by the Saline Reporter, a weekly print publication, also providing current news on its website.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.2 km²), of which, 4.6 square miles (12.0 of it is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1035995244 km²) of it (0.64%) is water.
The city is southwest of the City of Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
and northwest of the City of Milan
Milan, Michigan
Milan is a city in Monroe and Washtenaw counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,775 at the 2000 census. About 60% of the city's area and 75% of its residents are located on the Washtenaw County side adjacent to York Township in Washtenaw County; while 40% percent of the...
, where U.S. 12 (aka Michigan Avenue
U.S. Route 12 in Michigan
US Highway 12 is a US Highway that runs from Aberdeen, Washington to Detroit, Michigan. In the US state of Michigan it runs for . Previous to the creation of Interstate Highways in Michigan, US 12 ran along Michigan Avenue between Kalamazoo and Detroit, a highway corridor now served by I-94...
) intersects the Saline River
Saline River (Michigan)
The Saline River is a river in southeastern Michigan in the United States. A tributary of the River Raisin, it originates in Washtenaw County; flows through the cities of Saline and Milan, where it enters Monroe County; then joins the River Raisin at the village of Dundee...
, a tributary of the River Raisin
River Raisin
The River Raisin is a river in southeastern Michigan, United States that flows through glacial sediments into Lake Erie. The area today is an agricultural and industrial center of Michigan. The river flows for almost , draining an area of in the Michigan counties of Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw,...
. The city is bounded on the southwest by Saline Township
Saline Township, Michigan
Saline Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,302 at the 2000 census. The City of Saline is located at the northeast corner of the township, but is administratively autonomous.-Geography:...
; on the southeast by York Charter Township
York Charter Township, Michigan
York Charter Township is a charter township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 7,392 at the 2000 census.Federal Correctional Institution, Milan and the Toyota Technical Center are located in the township...
; on the northeast by Pittsfield Charter Township
Pittsfield Charter Township, Michigan
Pittsfield Charter Township is a charter township south of Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 30,167 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
; and on the northwest by Lodi Township
Lodi Township, Michigan
Lodi Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan, located southwest of Ann Arbor. The population was 5,710 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
.
Weather and climate
The weather in Saline, Michigan, is highly variable and is greatly influenced by the Great Lakes. Saline experiences a four-season climate, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 105°F and temperatures falling as low as -29°F in the winter. Average high temperatures in the summer range between 70°F and 85°F, with average high temperatures in the winter ranging from 15°F to 35°F. Precipitation falls year round, with snow being the main form of precipitation during the winter months. Saline experiences an average yearly snowfall of 53 inches (1.3 m), with most of that coming from "Snowstorms" and "Clippers". "Lake effect" is a common sight in Saline during the winter months; however the snow is typically much lighter than the heavy accumulations that occur on the western side of the state, which is closer to Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes influence the weather in other ways in Saline, bringing constant clouds in the winter, even with dry air masses in place. Summers are cooler than those in surrounding states, with cool breezes off of the Great Lakes when the water temperature is colder than the air temperature.The main weather hazard in Saline, Michigan—as well as in all of Southeast Michigan—is severe thunderstorms and snowstorms. Tornadoes, high winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning are the most frequent causes of death from weather in the area. Extreme cold air and flooding are next in line for the most potent hazards.
Demographics
As of the 2010 census Saline had a population of 8,810. The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 93.6% white, 1.4% black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 2.5% Asian, 0.4% from some other race and 1.8% from two or more races. 2.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 8,034 people, 3,148 households, and 2,134 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,736.3 per square mile (670.0/km²). There were 3,213 housing units at an average density of 694.4 per square mile (267.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.69% White, 0.56% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population.
There were 3,048 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 persons and the average family size is 3.09 persons. In the city the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,382, and the median income for a family was $73,162. Males had a median income of $51,391 versus $32,254 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $26,208. About 3.0% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Industry & commerce
Manufacturing related operations probably account for the majority industry of in the Saline area. The largest single employer in the Saline area is Automotive Components Holdings- Saline Plant, a wholly Ford held subsidiary. The University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
is perhaps the second largest employer of Salinians.
Over 500 Saline area businesses are represented by, and are members of, the Saline Area Chamber of Commerce. The Saline Area Chamber of Commerce is also active in supporting various Saline area social and community causes.
City government
Gretchen Driskell is the city's current mayor. First elected in 1999 and re-elected consecutively through 2008, she is the city's longest serving mayor as well as the first female mayor. The City council is non-partisan, and serves at large for 2 year terms.Transportation
Ride Saline, a transit service that operates from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM from Monday to Friday, is available to Saline residents. US 12U.S. Route 12
U.S. Route 12 or US 12 is an east–west United States highway, running from Grays Harbor on the Pacific Ocean, in the state of Washington, to downtown Detroit, for almost . As a thoroughfare, it has mostly been supplanted by I-90 and I-94, but remains an important road for local travel.The...
runs right through downtown and
U.S. Route 23 is 4.25 miles east of town (along U.S. Route 12), Ann Arbor Saline road also runs through the city's main intersection.Recreation
Saline is hometown of two fiddle groups. The Fiddlers Philharmonic was formed in 1994 by Saline Music Educator Bob Phillips. Under Phillips's leadership the group quickly gained national prominence as an example of using alternative musical styles to advance music education. Bob retired in 2003 and created a nationally known consultancy to assist music educators. In 2003, the majority of members in the group voted to become an independent nonprofit organization named "Saline Fiddlers". They bill themselves as "America's premier youth fiddling show band".Some parents and students wanted to remain under the school district's auspices and, with the school district's permission, they formed the Fiddlers ReStrung. Both groups continue to support the same goals of preserving American fiddling styles, spreading appreciation of this music through performance, modeling the use of alternative music styles in music education and furthering the musical education and social development of students. The groups perform frequently at a wide variety of events and enjoy representing their hometown.
Schools
Saline Area Schools
Saline Area Schools is a school district headquartered in Liberty School in Saline, Michigan. The district serves Saline, Pittsfield Charter Township, and a portions of York Charter Township, Lodi Township and Saline Township .-High school:...
operates public schools.
K-3 elementary schools operated by the district include Harvest, Woodland Meadows, and Pleasant Ridge. Heritage School (4-5), Saline Middle School
Saline Middle School
Saline Middle School is a middle school in Saline, Michigan. A part of Saline Area Schools, it currently houses grades 6-8. As of 2005, there are about 60 staff members and 900 students...
, and Saline High School (in Pittsfield Charter Township) serve the city.
Notable residents
- George Matthew AdamsGeorge Matthew AdamsGeorge Matthew Adams was a newspaper columnist and founder of the George Matthew Adams Newspaper Service, which syndicated comic strips and columns to newspapers for five decades...
- Lisa BonderLisa BonderLisa Bonder-Kreiss , was a professional tennis player from Saline, Michigan....
- Ann PellegrenoAnn PellegrenoAnn Dearing Holtgren Pellegreno has been a professional musician, teacher, author, lecturer, and farmer. In 1967, Pellegreno and a crew of three successfully flew a similar aircraft to complete a world flight that closely mirrored Amelia Earhart's flight plan in 1937...
- Charles Van RiperCharles Van RiperCharles Gage Van Riper was a renowned speech therapist who became internationally known as a pioneer in the development of speech pathology...
- Bryan Thao WorraBryan Thao WorraBryan Thao Worra is a Laotian American writer. His books include On The Other Side Of The Eye, Touching Detonations, Winter Ink, Barrow and The Tuk Tuk Diaries: My Dinner With Cluster Bombs. He is the first Laotian American to receive a Fellowship in Literature from the United States government's...
- Brandon IngeBrandon IngeCharles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
Sister cities
BreconBrecon
Brecon is a long-established market town and community in southern Powys, Mid Wales, with a population of 7,901. It was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire; although its role as such was eclipsed with the formation of Powys, it remains an important local centre...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
since 1966 Lindenberg im Allgäu
Lindenberg im Allgäu
Lindenberg im Allgäu is the second largest town of the district of Lindau in Bavaria, Germany. It is an acknowledged air health resort.-History:The town was first mentioned in 857, when two nobles donated estates in "Lintiberc" to the monastery of St...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
since 2003