Chelsea, Michigan

Chelsea, Michigan
City
City of Chelsea
Downtown Chelsea and the clock tower
Seal
Motto(s):  A city of history, a city of pride
Location within Washtenaw County
Chelsea Location within the state of Michigan
Coordinates: 42°19′05″N 84°01′13″W
Country	United States
State	Michigan
County	Washtenaw
Incorporated	2004
Government
• Type	Council–manager
• Mayor	Melissa Johnson
• Clerk	Laura Kaiser
Area
• Total	3.67 sq mi (9.50 km2)
• Land	3.62 sq mi (9.37 km2)
• Water	0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation	932 ft (284 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	4,944
• Estimate  (2019)	5,416
• Density	1,497.79/sq mi (578.24/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)	48118
Area code	734
FIPS code	26-15020
GNIS feature ID	0623143
Website	Official website

Chelsea is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,944 at the 2010 census.

In March 2004 by a 995-226 vote, residents approved a change in municipal status from a village into a city. Residents no longer pay property taxes to adjacent Lima and Sylvan townships as they had under the village government. The city provides all services formerly provided by both village and township governments.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.68 square miles (9.53 km²), of which 3.63 square miles (9.40 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water.

Chelsea Milling Co. grain elevators

Climate

This climatic region has large, varying seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Chelsea has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1870	1,013		—
1880	1,160		14.5%
1890	1,356		16.9%
1900	1,635		20.6%
1910	1,764		7.9%
1920	2,079		17.9%
1930	2,268		9.1%
1940	2,246		−1.0%
1950	2,580		14.9%
1960	3,355		30.0%
1970	3,858		15.0%
1980	3,816		−1.1%
1990	3,772		−1.2%
2000	4,398		16.6%
2010	4,944		12.4%
2019 (est.)	5,416		9.5%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,944 people, 2,224 households, and 1,284 families living in the city. The population density was 1,362.0 inhabitants per square mile (525.9/km²). There were 2,436 housing units at an average density of 671.1 per square mile (259.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.4% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 2,224 households, of which 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.3% were non-families. 37.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 43.5 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 22.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.5% male and 54.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,398 people, 1,840 households, and 1,133 families living in the village. The population density was 1,315.3 per square mile (508.4/km²). There were 1,913 housing units at an average density of 572.1 per square mile (221.1/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 97.14% White, 0.70% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.82% of the population.

There were 1,840 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.4% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the village the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 24.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $51,132, and the median income for a family was $72,266. Males had a median income of $50,506 versus $35,579 for females. The per capita income for the village was $27,609. About 2.5% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Chelsea High School

Chelsea residents typically send their children to public institutions, including North Creek Elementary School (formerly North Elementary), South Meadows Elementary School (formerly South Elementary), Pierce Lake Elementary School (now closed), Dwight E. Beach Middle School, and Chelsea High School.

Economy

Chelsea Milling, maker of Jiffy Mix, is based in Chelsea. Other employers include Saint Joseph Mercy Chelsea, the Chrysler Proving Grounds, and the Special Alternative Incarceration Facility.

Awards

In 2008, Chelsea District Library was named Best Small Library in America by Library Journal.

Notable people

• Lynn Allen, NFL player
• Dwight E. Beach, U.S. Army general and namesake of Beach Middle School
• Jeff Daniels, actor of stage and screen. Founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea.
• Laura Kasischke, National Book Critics Circle Award winner, poet, novelist
• Tony Scheffler, professional football player for the Detroit Lions

Sister cities

• Shimizu

External links

• City of Chelsea government website