Michigan City overview

Michigan City is a city in LaPorte County, Indiana, USAMichigan City's origins began in 1830, when the land
and is located in what is known as Northwest Indianafor the city was first purchased by Issac C. Elston.
which includes Lake County, Porter County, JasperThe city became incorporated in 1836, by which point
County, and Newton County. Michigan City is part ofMichigan City had 1500 residents, along with a post
what is known as Chicagoland. It is also part of whatoffice, a newspaper, a church, and a commercial
is known as Michiana. It is approximately 50 milesdistrict.
east of Chicago and 40 miles west of South Bend,Points of interest
Indiana. The population was 32,900 at the 2000On clear days, it is possible to see the Chicago
census. It is one of two principal cities of and isskyline across Lake Michigan. In 1991, Democrat
included in the Michigan City-La Porte, IndianaMayor Sheila Brillson introduced a new logo for
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in theMichigan City, which featured the Chicago Skyline.
Chicago-Naperville-Michigan City Combined StatisticalMany residents rebelled at this proposal, so the
Area.official logo was changed.
Michigan City is noted for both its proximity to theMichigan City Area Schools, the city's public school
Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore national park andsystem, includes one high school (Michigan City High
for its bordering Lake Michigan; because of this,School), three middle schools, and nine elementary
Michigan City receives a fair amount of tourism duringschools. Michigan City also contains two parochial high
the summer months, especially by residents ofschools - Marquette and Duneland Lutheran - but
Chicago and parts of Indiana.Marquette is also the oldest school in the city. There
Geographyare several parochial elementary schools in the city to
Michigan City is located at 41°42'34?N,include St. Stanislaus Kostka School, Queen Of All
86°53'13?W (41.709389, -86.886928).GR1Saints, and Notre Dame Catholic School. At one time
According to the United States Census Bureau, theMichigan City had two public high schools, M.C. Elston
city has a total area of 59.9 km² (23.1 mi²).High School (Red Devils)(Elston is now the name of
50.8 km² (19.6 mi²) of it is land and 9.1one of the middle schools located in the city and is
km² (3.5 mi²) of it (15.22%) is water.located at the former Elston High School), and M.C.
DemographicsRogers High School (Raiders). Both schools combined
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 32,900after the 1994-1995 school year and is now the
people, 12,550 households, and 7,906 families residingpresent day Michigan City High School. The school is
in the city. The population density was 648.1located at the former Rogers High School site.
km² (1,678.6/mi²). There were 14,221Michigan City contains two major shopping centers -
housing units at an average density of 280.1Lighthouse Place Outlet Mall, which was built in the
km² (725.6/mi²). The racial makeup of themid 1980s, and Marquette Mall, which was
city was 69.45% White, 26.31% African American,constructed in 1965. St. Anthony Memorial Health
0.26% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.02% PacificCenter is Michigan City's sole hospital.
Islander, 1.10% from other races, and 2.36% fromIn terms of media, Michigan City has one daily
two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any racenewspaper, The News-Dispatch. It also has one FM
were 3.15% of the population.radio station, WEFM, one AM radio station, WIMS,
There were 12,550 households out of which 30.6%and one government access cable TV station,
had children under the age of 18 living with them,Access LaPorte County. Michigan City is in Chicago's
40.0% were married couples living together, 18.1%Area of Dominant Influence. Radio and Television
had a female householder with no husband present,broadcasts from both Chicago and South Bend reach
and 37.0% were non-families. 30.9% of all householdsmost of the population.
were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someoneMichigan City also houses a zoo, and features on its
living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Theoutskirts the Indiana State Prison.
average household size was 2.41 and the averageKnown for its many talented musicians, Michigan City
family size was 3.02.also has one of the nations oldest active municipal
In the city the population was spread out with 25.0%bands. Free concerts are performed for the public
under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.8%every Thursday evening at the Guy F. Foreman
from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1%Ampitheatre located in Washington Park.
who were 65 years of age or older. The median ageThe eastern edge of the Indiana Dunes National
was 35 years. For every 100 females there wereLakeshore is also located in Michigan City. Features
101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over,include Mount Baldy, a large wandering dune. A larger
there were 100.9 males.dune, Hoosier Slide, sat at the site of the current
The median income for a household in the city waselectrical generating station. This dune was mined for
$33,732, and the median income for a family wasits sand in the late 19th century. The sand found on
$39,520. Males had a median income of $32,194the beaches in and near Michigan City is nicknamed
versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income"singing sand" because of the sound it produces.
for the city was $16,995. About 10.4% of familiesIn recent years, Michigan City has added a riverboat,
and 13.3% of the population were below the povertyThe Blue Chip Casino. This casino is the largest
line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5%riverboat in Indiana. Michigan City has also added a
of those age 65 or over.new skatepark at Pullman Field to its tourism
Historyofferings.