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Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 61,799 (Census Bureau estimate for July 2004 is 59,045 residents). 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 two other nearby cities, Midland and Bay City. The city is adjacent to Saginaw Charter Township.
The city's main entertainment can be found in the downtown area, where places such as The Dow Event Center and the newly-restored Temple Theatre offer live entertainment. The Dow Event Center is also home to the city's junior ice hockey team, the Saginaw Spirit. The downtown area, which is full of early 1900s office buildings, is located near the Saginaw Club (local businessmen's club founded in 1889) and an educational complex. However, constant criminal problems have arisen due to two formerly grand hotels being converted into section 8 housing. Combined with deep cuts in police services, this has led to a stalling of the city's economy. Crime, particularly violent crime, is increasing in the area.
As of January of 2006, the city is in the grip of a gang war between the north and south side gangs. The north side gang is based on the east side of the river, near a mostly abandoned major rail yard. The south side gang called "Thug Life", also based on the east side, is centered between Saginaw High School and a mostly vacant retail and light industrial center with a lot of violence occuring in an area nicknamed "The Woods" because many of the road names end in the word wood (for instance, Oakwood and Beechwood).
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.
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.
Source:
SaginawMichigan.com
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