Mason, Michigan

History

In 1836 Charles Noble knew that Michigan would be seeking a central location for a new capital when it became a state. He purchased an area of forest, cleared 20 acres (81,000 m²), and founded Mason Center. The "Center" was soon dropped. In 1847, however, the state chose Lansing Township 12 miles (19 km) northward to be its capital due to its potential for water power. Noble managed to make Mason the county seat instead. Ingham County's first downtown courthouse was built in 1843, and was replaced in 1858, and then again in 1905.

In 1865, Mason was incorporated as a village; in 1875 the town became a city. In the 1800s, Mason was the center of Ingham County activity, even more than was Lansing, the state capital. In 1877, Lansing attempted to take the status of county seat for itself, but the two cities made an agreement that moved some county offices and courts to Lansing in exchange for Mason remaining the county seat. As a result, Michigan is the only state in the country with a capital city that is not also a county seat.

Up into the early 1900s, the local Ojibwa tribe had a visible presence in the town. In the 1900s, The Wyeth Corporation began producing baby formula in Mason, but that was discontinued in the 1990s. Today, it is home to the headquarters of Dart Container Corporation. Michigan Packaging Company, Lear Corporation, Gestamp Hardtech, and Ingham Intermediate School District also have facilities in the Mason area. Cattle can still be seen grazing within the city limits.

The courthouse scenes of the 2011 film Real Steel were filmed at the Ingham County Courthouse in downtown Mason.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.13 square miles (13.29 km²), of which 5.10 square miles (13.21 km²) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km²) is water. Sycamore Creek flows through the city.

Mason sits upon the Mason Esker, which is one of the longest eskers in the western hemisphere.

Transportation

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,252 people, 3,278 households, and 2,032 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,618.0 inhabitants per square mile (624.7/km²). There were 3,574 housing units at an average density of 700.8 per square mile (270.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.2% White, 5.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 3,278 households of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 32.6% 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 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.8% male and 49.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,714 people, 2,806 households, and 1,826 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,466.6 per square mile (566.0/km²). There were 2,961 housing units at an average density of 646.8 per square mile (249.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.98% White, 0.64% African American, 0.46% Native American, 0.71% Asian, 0.74% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.73% of the population.

There were 2,806 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,790, and the median income for a family was $53,519. Males had a median income of $41,081 versus $26,266 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,866. About 1.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over

Government

Mason was first incorporated as a village in 1865, and was later incorporated as a municipality in 1875. The city provides a full range of services and facilities including public sanitary sewer, storm sewer, water, police and fire protection, street maintenance, parks and recreation facilities, and cemetery services. The city also owns and provides the land and building facilities for the Mason branch of the Capital Area District Library (CADL).

The City of Mason has a Council-Manager form of government, where a City Administrator manages the daily operation of city services and other functions, and a seven-member city council provides general oversight of city government by determining policy, enacting legislation, and approving the annual budget. Councilmembers are elected to four-year terms and the city council appoints one of its members to serve as mayor and another to serve as mayor pro tem.

Points of interest

Celebrations and festivals

Famous residents and businesses