Garden City, Michigan

History

The origins of Garden City started with the transfer of the property to John Lathers from Andrew Jackson for 160 acres (0.65 km²) in October 1835. The city was patterned after the "garden city" concept that became popular in England during the 19th century, with most home sites sectioned off into 1-acre (4,000 m²) plots to allow adequate farming area to support the family with fruit and vegetables. Now, most sites are considerably smaller, some as small as 40 feet by 135 feet, with little room for gardening of fruits and vegetables, though the city maintains some large lots where an extra street has not been placed between two of the older streets, such as between some parts of Bock Street and John Hauk Street where Donnelly Avenue does not cut through.

In June 1927, Garden City became a village, with Arnold Folker as Village President. Six years later the village became the city of Garden City. Areas of interest in Garden City include the first Kmart store (opened 1962 and still in use; though scheduled to close in early 2017), the first Little Caesars (still in use), and the first dine-in McDonald's in Michigan. The honeymoon cottage of Henry Ford and his wife, Clara Jane Bryant, was moved here from Dearborn in 1952.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.87 square miles (15.20 km²), all land.

Politics

Garden City is a Michigan home rule city with a council-manager form of government, in which a seven-member elected city council appoints a city manager to manage the daily operations of the city government. The mayor and six council members comprise the city council, or legislative body, with the mayor being elected every two years and council members elected to two- or four-year staggered terms depending upon the number of votes cast for each candidate. The city council appoints the city attorney and city manager. The mayor serves as the ceremonial head of the city government, presides over city council meetings, and possesses one vote on all matters coming before the city council. The city manager appoints all other heads of city departments with the approval of the city council and is responsible to the city council for the efficient and effective operations of the city government.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 27,692 people, 10,894 households, and 7,383 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,717.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,821.4/km²). There were 11,616 housing units at an average density of 1,978.9 per square mile (764.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.5% White, 3.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.3% of the population.

There were 10,894 households of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.2% were non-families. 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.07.

The median age in the city was 39.9 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.5% were from 25 to 44; 28.6% were from 45 to 64; and 14% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,047 people, 11,479 households, and 8,230 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,124.0 per square mile (1,979.7/km²). There were 11,719 housing units at an average density of 1,998.5 per square mile (772.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.20% White, 1.10% African-American, 0.40% Native American, 0.72% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.03% of the population.

There were 11,479 households out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 24.0% 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 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the city, the population was spread out with 25.1% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,841, and the median income for a family was $58,530. Males had a median income of $44,314 versus $27,904 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,651. About 3.3% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.2% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The main source of education for Garden City is their school district, Garden City Public Schools, which includes four elementary schools, one middle school, one public high school, an alternative education high school, and the Burger School for Autism.

Schoolcraft College, a community college based in nearby Livonia, has a satellite campus near the middle school.