Cass City is a village in Elkland Township, Tuscola County, in the Flint/Tri-Cities area of Michigan. According to the 2020 census, Cass City had a population of 2,494. It is located along M-81, about four miles (6.4 km) west of where M-81 crosses M-53. Cass City is near several other communities, including Colwood, Deford, Elmwood, and Ellington.

History

The village and the nearby Cass River are both named after General Lewis Cass, who was the territorial governor of Michigan in the early 19th century and ran for president of the United States as the Democratic nominee in 1848. The area is now part of Michigan's 10th congressional district.

A sawmill was built in this area in 1851. Farming settlers arrived here in 1855. The village of Cass City became officially recognized in 1883.

The town is known for being the hometown of Andrew Metelski (also spelled Andrzejowl Metelskiemu), a criminal who lived in the 1930s and was involved in murder, robbery, and theft.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village covers an area of 1.79 square miles (4.64 km²). Of this, 1.78 square miles (4.61 km²) is land, and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) is water.

This climate zone has large changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot and often humid, while winters are cold, sometimes very cold. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Cass City has a humid continental climate, labeled "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

According to the 2010 census, the village had 2,428 people, 1,024 households, and 627 families. The population density was 1,364.0 people per square mile (526.6/km²). There were 1,177 housing units, with an average density of 661.2 per square mile (255.3/km²). The racial makeup included 96.9% White, 0.2% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 2.5% of the population.

Of the 1,024 households, 29.1% had children under 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples, 12.2% had a female householder without a husband, 4.2% had a male householder without a wife, and 38.8% were non-families. Thirty-three point two percent of households had only one person, and 18.2% had someone 65 years or older living alone. The average household size was 2.26 people, and the average family size was 2.88 people.

The median age in the village was 43.7 years. Twenty-one point nine percent of residents were under 18, 7.6% were between 18 and 24, 21.8% were aged 25 to 44, 25.8% were aged 45 to 64, and 22.9% were 65 years or older. The gender distribution was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

According to the 2000 census, the village had 6,481 people, 4,670 households, and 3,892 families. The population density was 1,523.7 people per square mile (588.3/km²), with 1,159 housing units at an average density of 668.2 per square mile (258.0/km²).

Of the 1,670 households, 38.7% had children under 18, 49.3% were married couples, 12.8% had a female householder without a husband, and 35.2% were non-families. Thirty-two percent of households had only one person, and 16.5% had someone 65 years or older living alone. The average household size was 2.31 people, and the average family size was 2.91 people.

In 2000, 34.3% of the population was under 18, 8.2% were aged 18 to 24, 24.9% were aged 25 to 44, 21.4% were aged 45 to 64, and 12.2% were 65 years or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.1 males, and for every 100 females aged 18 or older, there were 79.1 males aged 18 or older.

The median income for a household in 2010 was $33,397, and for a family, it was $41,289. Males had a median income of $31,714, while females had $24,853. The per capita income was $17,159. Eight point one percent of families and 10.8% of the population lived below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under 18 and 7.1% of those 65 years or older.

Economy

Agriculture is a very important part of the Cass City economy, and some industries, such as Walbro Corp., also contribute.

Arts and culture

Cass City is the location of the Rawson Memorial Library, a district library that provides services to Cass City, Elkland Township, Elmwood Township, and Novesta Township. The library also works with Ellington Township, Evergreen Township, Grant Township, and Greenleaf Township to offer library services. The library began in 1910 as a project of a local Women's Study Club and was restructured in 1966 as the Cass City and Elkland Township Library, a district library.

The library has online archives of two local newspapers: the Cass City Chronicle (published from 1899 to 2023) and the Cass City Enterprise (published from 1881 to 1906).

In 2007, Rawson Memorial Library won the 2007 State Librarian's Excellence Award for outstanding public service. It was recognized for creating its own online bookstore, a traveling Business Resource Center, home delivery of materials, one-on-one computer training, and a "very successful young-adult section" with "more than 750 books, magazines, and paperbacks" and seating for 14 people.

Education

Cass City has a campus of the Baker College System. This campus offers programs such as an Accelerated Bachelor of Business degree, as well as courses in health science, early childhood education, and automotive services technology. The public schools in Cass City are managed by Cass City Public Schools.

Notable people

• Larry MacPhail, Hall of Fame member with Major League Baseball; born in Cass City
• Brewster H. Shaw, NASA astronaut, U.S. Air Force colonel, and executive at Boeing; born in Cass City
• Terry P. Richardson, Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Vietnam War, 1968; born in Cass City