Imlay City is located in Lapeer County, Michigan. According to the 2020 census, the population was 3,707.

History

In 1836, a businessman from Connecticut named William H. Imlay began buying land in the forest area here. When the township was officially formed in 1850, it was named after him. In 1870, the Port Huron & Lake Michigan Railroad started building rail lines through the area. The chief engineer, Charles Palmer, bought land to build a market and hotel. A post office opened on December 12, 1870, with Edward Palmer as the first postmaster. The community grew quickly, including 15 stores, a grain elevator, and several mills. In 1871, the area became an official village named Imlay City.

In 1914, the city began building streetcar lines, a type of public transportation typically found in large cities. In April 1970, Imlay City celebrated its 100th anniversary. Residents voted to change the village to a home rule city by a two-to-one vote. The construction of Interstate 69 in the 1980s connected Imlay City to Flint, Port Huron, and Canada. This connection led to a lot of economic growth as the city served travelers on the interstate.

Economy

Vlasic Pickles, a company from Michigan, has been an important part of Imlay City for many years. The company was founded in the 1920s by Franjo Vlasic, a Croatian immigrant, and began as a creamery in Detroit. Over time, it became the largest milk supplier for businesses in the state. As the company grew, it started making hams and pickles for the Polish community in the area.

At first, the Vlasics made pickles in large barrels, a method used for centuries. In 1942, Franjo’s son, Joseph, and grandson, Bob, began packaging pickles in glass jars. This change helped increase the popularity of their pickles.

To meet growing demand, Joseph Vlasic purchased a pickle plant on Blacks Corners Road in Imlay City, Michigan, in 1957. Two years later, in 1959, he founded Vlasic Foods, marking the start of the Vlasic pickle business.

Today, Vlasic Pickles remains an important part of Imlay City. The cucumbers used to make the pickles are grown in Michigan, specifically in the cities of Mount Pleasant and Kalamazoo.

Education

Imlay City has five public schools, all part of Imlay City Community Schools, and one private school. The public schools include Weston Elementary, which serves students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade; Borland Elementary, for 3rd through 5th grade; Imlay City Middle School, for 6th through 8th grade; and Imlay City High School, for 9th through 12th grade. Venture High School is an alternative school for students who need different learning options. The private school in Imlay City is Imlay City Christian School, a non-denominational, private Christian school located outside the town. It was founded in 1952 by parents from the local area.

The Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library opened on January 27, 1990. It was built using money left by Ruth E. Hughes in her will after her death in March 1985. The library is managed by a group of seven people, with members from Imlay City, Imlay Township, and Attica Township.

The Imlay City Historical Museum was created in 1978 and is run by a private, non-profit group. Its records focus on Imlay City, Imlay Township, Attica Township, Arcadia Township, Goodland Township, and nearby areas. The museum has displayed items such as a World War I handgun. A historical caboose, once used by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, sits outside the museum building. The building was originally a train station for the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. In 1971, the Imlay City Historical Commission asked Grand Trunk Western to lease the building to prevent it from being destroyed. Grand Trunk Western agreed to lease the land to Imlay City, and the Historical Commission then leased the building for the museum. Restoration work began on the building, and it was completed in 1978. An open house and dedication ceremony took place on November 9, 1979.

Geography

• The United States Census Bureau reports that the city covers an area of 2.37 square miles (6.14 km), and all of this area is land.
• The city is located within the Thumb region of Michigan.
• Imlay City crosses two major highways in Michigan: Interstate 69 and M-53, which is also called Van Dyke Road.

Demographics

As of the 2010 census, the city had 3,597 people, 1,356 households, and 841 families. The population density was 1,517.7 people per square mile (586.0/km²). There were 1,600 housing units, with an average density of 675.1 per square mile (260.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city included 82.9% White, 0.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 12.1% from other races, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 29.0% of the population.

Of the 1,356 households, 37.9% had children under 18 living with them, 42.8% were married couples, 13.5% had a female householder without a husband, 5.7% had a male householder without a wife, and 38.0% were non-families. Thirty-one point nine percent of households were individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.64, and the average family size was 3.43.

The median age in the city was 33 years. Thirty point two percent of residents were under 18, 9.2% were between 18 and 24, 26% were aged 25 to 44, 21.7% were aged 45 to 64, and 12.8% were 65 or older. The gender distribution was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

As of the 2000 census, the city had 3,869 people, 1,496 households, and 936 families. The population density was 1,690.4 people per square mile (652.7/km²). There were 1,599 housing units, with an average density of 698.6 per square mile (269.7/km²). The racial makeup included 88.65% White, 0.57% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.32% Asian, 7.78% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race made up 19.20% of the population.

Of the 1,496 households, 34.1% had children under 18, 45.5% were married couples, 13.0% had a female householder without a husband, and 37.4% were non-families. Thirty-three point two percent of households were individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.53, and the average family size was 3.26.

The population was distributed as follows: 28.3% under 18, 11.1% aged 18 to 24, 28.5% aged 25 to 44, 16.9% aged 45 to 64, and 15.3% aged 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.5 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and older, there were 83.4 males.

The median household income was $32,436, and the median family income was $43,267. Males had a median income of $36,066, while females had a median income of $22,396. The per capita income was $16,021. Approximately 6.4% of families and 8.1% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 6.0% of those under 18 and 12.7% of those aged 65 or older.

Media

WHYT, which is on 88.1 FM, is based in Imlay City and broadcasts Smile FM, a non-commercial, contemporary Christian radio station. Many other radio stations, both AM and FM, are based in Lapeer, Flint, or the Detroit area.

The Tri-City Times is located and printed in Imlay City. The Lapeer County Press and Lapeer Area View are often found in the area. National and international newspapers, such as The New York Times, USA Today, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as regional newspapers, such as the daily editions of The Flint Journal, the Detroit Free Press, and The Detroit News, are also widely available in the city.

Attractions

Imlay City has the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds, which hosts an annual fair featuring rides, a rodeo, a demolition derby, and a farm animal competition. Also held at the fairgrounds are a car show and Imlay City's "Woods and Water," a hunting and fishing event. The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is also held in Imlay City, with two types of walks: the survivor walk and the team walk. Imlay City also has its own city pool, several parks, part of the Polly Ann Trail, and a farmer's market.

Notable people

• Bob Burman, race car driver
• James Paul Churchill, United States federal judge
• Al Dorow, National Football League quarterback
• Clara Engle, nurse and medical missionary in Turkey
• David Kircus, National Football League wide receiver
• Chester Marcol, National Football League placekicker
• Carl Pursell, United States Congressman
• John Philip Wernette, President of the University of New Mexico
• Lee Weyer, National League umpire