Saline (pronounced /səˈliːn/, as in Celine) is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,034.
The city is popular for its annual Celtic Festival, which attracts people from all over the United States and its sister city Brecon, Wales. It is also the hometown of the Saline Fiddlers and Fiddlers ReStrung, two nationally renowned high school bluegrass/fiddle groups. Saline, whose well-regarded school district is perhaps its biggest draw, was ranked the 43rd best place to live out of 1,300 rated cities in the United States in a 2005 CNN/Money Magazine poll[3], and 59th in 2007's poll[4], and also made CNN/Money's list of best places to retire in 2005[5].
History
Before the 18th century, Native Americans traveled to what is now Saline to hunt wildlife and gather salt from the salt springs they found nearby. In the 18th century, French explorers canoed up to the area and also harvested the salt. They named the local river Saline, which means salty or saline in French. Europeans settled the area in the 19th century, most of them coming from England and Germany. Together with Orange Risdon, a government surveyor who is generally considered to be the city's founder, the residents named the town Saline, which was officially established in 1832. In 1870 railroad service, provided by the Detroit-Hillsdale-&-Indiana Railroad, first reached Saline [6]. In 1875 Salinians built one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Second-Empire frame, two-and-one-half story residential building, the Davenport House, a.k.a. Curtis Mansion. The town continued to grow, and in 1931 the Village of Saline became the City of Saline.[7] The Saline Fisheries Research Station was built on the site of a pioneer grist mill.[8] The city of Saline has had its own newspaper since ca. 1874 [9] and is currently served by the Saline Reporter, a weekly print publication, also providing current news on its website.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.7 square miles (12.1 km²), of which, 4.6 square miles (12.0 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.64%) is water.
The city is southwest of the City of Ann Arbor and northwest of the City of Milan, where U.S. 12 (aka Michigan Avenue) intersects the Saline River, a tributary of the River Raisin. The city is bounded on the southwest by Saline Township; on the southeast by York Charter Township; on the northeast by Pittsfield Charter Township; and on the northwest by Lodi Township.
Weather and climate
The weather in Saline, Michigan, is highly variable and is greatly influenced by the Great Lakes. Saline experiences a four-season climate, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 105°F and temperatures falling as low as -22°F in the winter. Average high temperatures in the summer range between 70°F and 85°F, with average high temperatures in the winter ranging from 20°F to 35°F. Precipitation falls year round, with snow being the main form of precipitation during the winter months. Saline experiences an average yearly snowfall of 53 inches (1.3 m), with most of that coming from "Snowstorms" and "Clippers". "Lake effect" is a common sight in Saline during the winter months; however the snow is typically much lighter than the heavy accumulations that occur on the western side of the state, which is closer to Lake Michigan. The Great Lakes influence the weather in other ways in Saline, bringing constant clouds in the winter, even with dry air masses in place. Summers are cooler than those in surrounding states, with cool breezes off of the Great Lakes when the water temperature is colder than the air temperature.
The main weather hazard in Saline, Michigan—as well as in all of Southeast Michigan—is severe thunderstorms. Tornadoes, high winds, large hail, and dangerous lightning are the most frequent causes of death from weather in the area. Extreme cold air and flooding are next in line for the most potent hazards.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 8,034 people, 3,148 households, and 2,134 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,736.3 per square mile (670.0/km²). There were 3,213 housing units at an average density of 694.4/sq mi (267.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.69% White, 0.56% African American, 0.32% Native American, 1.94% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.73% of the population.
There were 3,048 households, out of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 persons and the average family size is 3.09 persons. In the city the population was spread out with 28.6% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $59,382, and the median income for a family was $73,162. Males had a median income of $51,391 versus $32,254 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,208. About 3.0% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.0% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
A large portion of the industries in the Saline area are automotive related. The largest single employer in the Saline area is Automotive Components Holdings- Saline Plant, a wholly Ford held subsidiary. The University of Michigan is perhaps the second largest employer of Salinians. Other major manufacturers in the Saline area include:
- An automotive related machine calibration optical manufacturer, Mectron.
- An automotive related plastics molding equipment manufacturer, R&B Plastics Machinery.
- An automotive related chemical analysis equipment manufacturer, Sensors Inc..
- An automotive related industrial computer monitor and software manufacturer, Proface.
- An automotive related plastics chemical supplier, Adams Renosol.
- A sporting related optical manufacturer, Accuproducts International.
- A sporting related equipment manufacturer, Sentient Sports.
- A plumbing related ceramics manufacturer, Blue Earth Ceramics.
- A general chemical supplier, Chemsol.
- A soy beverage processor, American Soy.
- A Plexiglas display manufacturer, Ann Arbor Plastics.
City Government
Gretchen Driskell is the city's current mayor. First elected in 1999 and re-elected consecutively through 2008, she is the city's longest serving mayor as well as its first female.
Major Roads
U.S. Route 12 runs right through downtown and U.S. Route 23 is 4.25 miles east of town (along U.S. Route 12), Ann Arbor saline road also runs through the city's main intersection.
More on fiddle groups
Saline is hometown of two outstanding fiddle groups. The Fiddlers Philharmonic was formed in 1994 by Saline Music Educator Bob Phillips. Under Mr. Phillips's leadership the group quickly gained national prominence as an example of using alternative musical styles to advance music education. With the retirement of the group's founder, the group transitioned to using the name "The Saline Fiddlers." In 2004, with the school district's permission, the group voted to become an independent nonprofit organization. Some parents and students wanted to remain under the school district's auspices and, with the school district's permission, they formed the Fiddlers ReStrung. Both groups continue to support the same goals of preserving American fiddling styles, spreading appreciation of this music through performance, modeling the use of alternative music styles in music education and furthering the musical education and social development of students.[10] The groups perform frequently at a wide variety of events and enjoy representing their hometown.
Schools
Administration
High school
- Saline High School (Grades 9-12) is located in Pittsfield Charter Township, just east of the City of Saline. Approved as part of Community Project 2000 and completed in August 2004, Saline High School is the largest in Michigan at approximately 480,000 sq ft (45,000 m2), totalling in $60,000,000.00, or $125.00 per square foot. It replaces the old high school which was approximately half its size. This building has 54 general classrooms, one-eight lane stretch pool, two gymnasiums (a 2,200-seat gymnasium, and an auxiliary gymnasium), a television studio, a 1,100-seat auditorium, and an extensive library.
Middle school
- Saline Middle School (Grades 7-8) moved into the "old" High School on Maple Road for the 2006-2007 school year. At 250,000 square feet (23,000 m2), it is twice the size of the now vacant Saline Liberty School. This building can house up to 1,100 students, as well as the Senior Center which occupies one wing of the facility. It still has, even though slightly smaller than the "Liberty School's", a woodshop.
Elementary schools
Currently vacant
- Saline Liberty School, most recently used as the Saline Middle School, on Ann Arbor-Saline Road (Ann Arbor St.), is currently unused for school purposes. Various groups and organizations rent the facility periodically, including the Saline District Library, which temporarily moved its book collection to the library in Liberty School so its facility could have an addition installed.
Famous residents
Sister cities
References
External links
Coordinates: 42°10′00″N 83°46′54″W / 42.1666667°N 83.78167°W / 42.1666667; -83.78167
