Reed City is a city located in Osceola County, Michigan. It is the county seat and had a population of 2,490 according to the 2020 census.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of 2.11 square miles (5.46 km), of which 2.08 square miles (5.39 km) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km) is water.

The Hersey River flows through Reed City.

Demographics

At the 2020 census, there were 2,465 people. The population density was 1,172.6 people per square mile (452.7/km²).

At the 2010 census, there were 2,425 people, 1,007 households, and 582 families living in the city. The population density was 1,165.9 people per square mile (450.2/km²). There were 1,136 housing units at an average density of 546.2 per square mile (210.9/km²). The racial make-up of the city was 94.8% White, 1.7% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 1,007 households. Of these, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.2% were non-families. 38.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26, and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age was 36.1 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18, 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24, 25.1% were from 25 to 44, 21.4% were from 45 to 64, and 17.5% were 65 years of age or older. The sex make-up of the city was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.

At the 2000 census, there were 2,430 people, 999 households, and 609 families living in the city. The population density was 1,265.3 people per square mile (488.5/km²). There were 1,090 housing units at an average density of 567.5 per square mile (219.1/km²). The racial make-up was 95.84% White, 1.07% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.12% from other races, and 2.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.91% of the population.

There were 999 households. Of these, 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.0% were non-families. 33.4% 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 2.30, and the average family size was 2.93.

25.6% of the population were under the age of 18, 11.4% were from 18 to 24, 25.4% were from 25 to 44, 19.8% were from 45 to 64, and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median household income was $30,756, and the median family income was $42,340. Males had a median income of $29,375, and females had a median income of $25,263. The per capita income was $15,889. About 10.9% of families and 17.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.

Infrastructure

The city is located at the intersection of two major US highways:

• US 10 is a highway that passes near Reed City. It includes a special route for local businesses that goes through the city.
• Bus. US 10 is the only highway that directly enters Reed City. Most businesses in the city are located along Bus. US 10.
• US 131 is a freeway that connects with US 10 near Reed City.

Indian Trails operates daily bus service between Grand Rapids and Petoskey, Michigan.

Two of the state’s most important rail trails cross through the city:
• White Pine Trail
• Pere Marquette Trail

The Pennsylvania Railroad ran trains from Grand Rapids to Cadillac, Petoskey, and Mackinaw City. This route included land now used for the White Pine Trail. Trains stopped at Reed City’s union station. Passengers in Grand Rapids could connect to trains heading to eastern Indiana and Cincinnati. Reed City was the closest Pennsylvania Railroad station to Idlewild, a major African-American resort until the 1960s. In its final years, train service through Reed City was limited to summer months. Passenger service ended between 1954 and 1955.

The Pere Marquette Railway operated trains west from Reed City to Ludington and east to Saginaw. This route is now part of the Pere Marquette Trail. At Saginaw, trains were scheduled to meet other trains coming from Bay City to Detroit. The Pere Marquette Railway’s successor, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, stopped the Ludington to Saginaw train service in late 1949.

Notable people

• George Bennard (1873–1958), preacher and composer of the hymn "The Old Rugged Cross"
• Harold Cronk (born in 1973), writer and director
• William C. Giese (1886–1966), Wisconsin state assemblyman
• Thomas D. Schall (1878–1935), U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative from Minnesota