Cadillac, Michigan Totally Explained

Everything about Cadillac Michigan totally explained

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 10,000 people, 4,118 households, and 2,577 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,466.0 per square mile (566.1/km²). There were 4,466 housing units at an average density of 654.7/sq mi (252.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.55% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.92% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 1.18% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
   There were 4,118 households out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.9% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.4% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.
   In the city the population was spread out with 26.2% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
   The median income for a household in the city was $29,899, and the median income for a family was $36,825. Males had a median income of $29,773 versus $21,283 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,801. About 10.9% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 13.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

By Michigan law, Cadillac is a home rule city. The city was incorporated in 1877, with a Council-Manager form of government-one of the first in Michigan. Under this system, the responsibilities of government are shared between an elected City Council and a hired full-time City Manager.
The elected City Council is the legislative authority of the City, composed of five members, one of whom is Mayor. All members have equal authority. The Council is responsible for making policy, passing ordinances, voting appropriations, and having overall supervisory authority in the city government.(External Link

) The terms of office are four years for Council Members and two years for the Mayor. The salaries of each council member are set by an independent advisory committee, which meets every two years.
   The chief administrative officer of the City of Cadillac is the City Manager. The City Manager is responsible for the administration of all City departments, as well as the enforcement of all laws, provisions of the City charter and acts adopted by City Council.
   Current Council members are Shari Spoelman, Thomas Dyer, Arthur Stevens, James Dean and William Barnett (Mayor). Ronald Blanchard, the previous mayor of Cadillac, held the position for 18 years, until he retired from office in 2008. The present City Manager is Peter Stalker.
   Cadillac is located in Michigan's 2nd congressional district, represented by Peter Hoekstra.

Economy

Manufacturing has been the greatest employer in Cadillac since the logging industry. Presently, over 26% of the city’s labor force is employed in manufacturing. There are three industrial parks within the city limits, comprising 7% of the total land use in Cadillac and 47% of the City’s tax base. Much of the city’s economic performance is determined by the fortunes of local industry.
Major manufacturers include Four Winns, AAR Manufacturing, Avon Rubber and Plastics, FIAMM Technologies, Michigan Rubber Products and Rexair. Apart from its manufacturing base, Cadillac is frequently considered by those who know it to be a tourist town. The center of the city is generally perceived to have a "small-town-feel." In the summer, the downtown fills with tourists, many of whom are from southern Michigan. The city center is in fact only one block from Lake Cadillac and, by docking at the public docks, is as nearly accessible by boat as it's by car. The city’s immediate proximity to two lakes, as well as Manistee National Forest, Pere Marquette State Forest, Mitchell State Park and a number of major highways ensures that tourism occupies a significant sector of the local economy.
Cadillac is also known as Chestnut Town, USA. The local area is home to a relatively large number of American chestnut trees, planted by pioneers from New York and Pennsylvania who settled in western Michigan. A blight in the early twentieth century wiped out nearly every American Chestnut tree, but those in western Michigan developed a mysterious resistance and survived. The Cadillac Chestnut Harvest Festival is held every year, on the second Saturday of October.

Lou Gehrig's Disease

Based on a single, limited study involving twenty people, some people have labelled Cadillac as one of three "hot spots" for Lou Gehrig's Disease in the US. However, the study made no attempt to ascertain the occurrence of the disease in other parts of the state, or elsewhere in the country. The study was designed to examine the possible occurrence of the disease due to genetic influences. The occurrence of the disease within the city limits of Cadillac is reportedly over 100 times the normal rate. The cause of the abnormally large occurrence of the disease in Cadillac is as of yet unknown.

Colleges

The Baker College-Cadillac campus occupies 66 acres just outside of the City of Cadillac. The school enrolls more than 1,300 students and offers associate's and bachelor's degrees, apart from professional certifications.

Transportation

Cadillac is situated at the junction of 3 highways, US-131, M-115 and M-55. Prior to 2001, the northern terminus of the freeway section of US 131 was located in Cadillac. With the construction of a bypass, the freeway portion of US 131 was extended around to the west and north of the city. The portion of roadway previously designated US 131 is now BUS US 131. Within city limits, the road is named Mitchell Street, after George Mitchell, but may be referred to as Main Street.
   The city is serviced by rail via the Great Lakes Central Railroad. This is primarily a freight line, although passenger service is expected in the future.
   Cadillac and Wexford County jointly operate a local public bus service. The Cadillac/Wexford Transit Authority is a demand-response system, and has been in operation since 1974. In recent years the Authority has been experimenting with a fixed-route service, operating a mid-day service in the summer. This proto-bus line runs between Cadillac West and the downtown.
   The White Pine Trail's northern terminus is in Cadillac. The trail, which stretches 92 miles and originates from Comstock Park, follows an abandoned railroad bed into the center of the city. The last mile of the trail is paved.

Local media

Newspapers

The Cadillac News (External Link)

Radio

WTCM (580 AM, Traverse City) - news and talk

WLDR (1210 AM, Kingsley-Traverse City) - classic country

WATT (1240 AM) - news and talk

WLJW (1370 AM) - religious

WIAA (88.7 FM, Interlochen) - classical music "IPR Music Radio"

WOLW (91.1 FM) - religious "Northern Christian Radio"

WJZQ (92.9 FM) - soft AC/smooth jazz "The Breeze"

WKAD (93.7 FM) - oldies

WLXV (96.7 FM) - hot AC "Mix 96"

WUPS (98.5 FM, Houghton Lake) - classic hits

WLDR (101.9 FM, Traverse City) - country music "101.9 Sunny Country"

WTCM (103.5 FM, Traverse City) - country music

WAIR (104.9 FM) - contemporary Christian "Smile-FM"

WCKC (107.1 FM) - classic rock "The Bear"

Television

WPBN (Channel 7, Traverse City) - NBC

WWTV (Channel 9) - CBS

WCMV (Channel 27) - PBS

WGTU (Channel 29, Traverse City) - ABC

WFQX (Channel 33) - Fox

Local edition (Cable Channel 63) - IndependentFurther Information

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