Saginaw is a city located in Saginaw County, Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 61,799. It is the county seat of Saginaw County⁶.

The city is served by MBS International Airport, which is located in Freeland, a central point for its two other nearby cities, Midland and Bay City. The city is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township.

The city's main entertainment can be found downtown, where places such as The Dow Event Center and the newly-restored Temple Theater offer live entertainment. The Dow Event Center is also home to the city's junior ice hockey team, the Saginaw Spirit.

Saginaw has recently gained a reputation as a breeding ground for outstanding athletes. NBA stars Jason Richardson, Kenyon Martin, Mark Macon and Darvin Ham , ACC freshman of the year Anthony Roberson , University of Michigan defensive end Lamarr Woodley and running back Jerome Jackson , Big Ten career interception leader Stuart Schweigert , the NFL's Charles Rogers , Sam Sword , James Reed and Alphonso Boone are all natives of Saginaw. Serena Williams was born in Saginaw but spent most of her childhood in Los Angeles, California.

The poet Theodore Roethke was born and raised in Saginaw. The musician Stevie Wonder was born in Saginaw but grew up in Detroit, Michigan. There is a memorable reference to Saginaw in Paul Simon's song "America ".

Richard Mudd resided in Saginaw. He unsuccesfully tried for many years to have his grandfather's name, Samuel Mudd, cleared for aiding John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The elder Mudd treated Booth's broken leg following the assassination of Lincoln.

Saginaw is also home to Saginaw Valley State University.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 47.1 km² (18.2 mi²). 45.2 km² (17.4 mi²) of it is land and 1.9 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.96% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 61,799 people, 23,182 households, and 15,114 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,368.2/km² (3,542.9/mi²). There are 25,639 housing units at an average density of 567.6/km² (1,469.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 47.02% White, 43.26% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.86% from other races, and 3.03% from two or more races. 11.75% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 23,182 households out of which 35.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% are married couples living together, 27.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% are non-families. 29.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.60 and the average family size is 3.23.

In the city the population is spread out with 31.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $26,485, and the median income for a family is $29,945. Males have a median income of $31,614 versus $22,714 for females. The per capita income for the city is $13,816. 28.5% of the population and 24.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 40.2% of those under the age of 18 and 16.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

• City of Saginaw