Flint, MI

Flint, Michigan

Introduction to Flint, Michigan

The city of Flint is located along Michigan's Flint River, about 68 miles northwest of Detroit. It is one of Michigan's largest cities and the county seat of Genesee County. Nearby large cities include the state capital of Lansing (47 miles to the southwest), Saginaw (36 miles to the north), and Ann Arbor (54 miles to the south). The city is serviced by Interstates I-69, I-75, and I-475; U.S. Route 23; and Michigan State Highways 13, 54, and 57.

Flint was founded in 1819 by Jacob Smith, a prominent Detroit fur trader. Due largely to its ideal location as a stopover on the overland route between Saginaw and Detroit, Flint began to prosper as a small but significant village. In 1855 the settlement became incorporated as the city of Flint, deriving its name from the river running through it. During the latter half of the nineteenth century, Flint established itself as a lumber center, and by the end of the century was able to leverage its lumbering infrastructure into a burgeoning carriage-manufacturing industry. As the world's largest carriage-making center, Flint soon became known as "Vehicle City". When horse-drawn carriages gave way to the advent of automobiles, Flint was in the forefront of the newly-formed auto industry. In 1908, William C. Durant founded the General Motors Corporation in the city and motor-vehicle manufacturing and assembly quickly prospered into a huge industry. Throughout the 20th century and beyond, Flint has continued to be closely tied to the auto industry, experiencing both the prosperity and hardships visited on the industry at various times in the nation's history.

Arts and Culture in Flint

Flint is noted for the Flint Cultural Center, home of the Flint Symphony Orchestra. Established in 1958, the Cultural Center includes an art center, planetarium, auditorium, music center, and the Alfred P. Sloan Museum, home to hundreds of artifacts, photographs, and exhibits chronicling the automobile history of Flint. The Flint Children's Museum is another city landmark, offering over 40 hands-on exhibits which are both fun and educational. The Whaley Historical House Museum, former home of the prominent Whaley family from 1885 to 1925, showcases Flint as it was during the late-19th/early-20th century. Another venue where Flint's history comes to life is the restored working community of Crossroads Village. Visitors here will find dozens of historic buildings and shops including Michigan’s oldest operating gristmill, an old-time Barber Shop, a general store, and an authentic blacksmith shop. Across from Crossroads Village is one of Genesee County's most picturesque spots: Stepping Stone Falls, which features a man-made cascade of water flowing over an intricate patchwork of levels and steps.

Flint is home to a number of semi-pro and minor league professional sports teams. The Flint Generals are a professional ice hockey team playing in the International Hockey League (IHL). The Flint Fury and Genesee County Patriots are both semi-pro football teams residing in Flint. The Fury currently plays in the Mid Continental Football League, while the Patriots are members of the North American Football League. Major league sports can be found in the city of Detroit, only about an hour away. Some of Detroit's premiere teams include Major League Baseball's Tigers, NBA basketball's Pistons, the Red Wings of the National Hockey League, the Lions of the National Football League and a WNBA women's basketball team, the Shock.

High Points

Flint strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Michigan):

Category	Trophy
Public Transportation Use (vs. State)	Top 2%
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 4%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 8%
Low Property Crime (vs. Peers)	Top 13%
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 14%

Comparative Profile of Flint, MI

Comparing Flint to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Michigan (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Children Under 5 Years Old
Female Share of the Population
Racial Diversity
Senior Citizens
Age of the Population
Male Share of the Population
Well-Paid Single Men

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty
Median Family Income

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Public Transportation Use
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Affordability of Property Taxes
Affordability of Rents
People Living Alone
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Seasonal and Vacation Housing
Housing Recently Built

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Flint Almanac

Flint Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Flint Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Flint Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Political Contributions (2004)

Money donated by Flint residents to parties and candidates for the 2004 elections.

by Political Party

by Presidential Candidate

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Flint, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Flint Hospitals

HURLEY MEDICAL CENTER
(Government - Local)
ONE HURLEY PLAZA
(810) 257-9237
Emergency Service: Yes

MCLAREN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
(Voluntary non-profit - Other)
401 S BALLENGER HWY
(810) 342-2000
Emergency Service: Yes

Starbucks in Flint

Wal-Mart in Flint

Flint High Schools (2004)

CARMAN-AINSWORTH HIGH SCHOOL
1300 N. LINDEN ROAD
810-591-3240
Serves 1,574 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 19.1

CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
601 CRAPO STREET
810-760-1042
A Title I school.
Serves 1,465 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 20.5

SOUTHWESTERN ACADEMY
1420 W. 12TH STREET
810-760-1400
Serves 1,371 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 22.9

NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL
G-3284 MACKIN ROAD
810-760-1740
Serves 1,311 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 18.2

KEARSLEY HIGH SCHOOL
G-4302 UNDERHILL DRIVE
810-591-9886
Serves 1,138 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 22.7

NORTHWESTERN-EDISON HIGH SCHOOL
G-2138 W. CARPENTER ROAD
810-760-1780
A Title I school.
Serves 831 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 19.8

BEECHER HIGH SCHOOL
1020 W. COLDWATER ROAD
810-591-9222
A Title I school.
Serves 504 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 19.2

INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF FLINT (2-12)
2820 S. SAGINAW STREET
810-251-5151
A charter school.
A magnet school.
A Title I school.
Serves 493 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 10.5

SCHOOLS OF CHOICE
517 E. 5TH AVENUE
810-760-1390
A Non-traditional School
Serves 462 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 22

HAMADY COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
G-3223 W. CARPENTER ROAD
810-591-0890
A magnet school.
Serves 329 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 78.3

MOTT MIDDLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
1401 E. COURT STREET
810-232-8530
Serves 279 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 155

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