Cedar Springs, Michigan

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Cedar Springs, Michigan
settlement_type = City
nickname =
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Cedar Springs, Michigan


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Michigan
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Kent

government_footnotes =
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leader_title =
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unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 4.8
area_land_km2 = 4.7
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 1.8
area_land_sq_mi = 1.8
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 3112
population_density_km2 = 657.1
population_density_sq_mi = 1701.9

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 261
elevation_ft = 856
latd = 43 |latm = 13 |lats = 20 |latNS = N
longd = 85 |longm = 33 |longs = 7 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 49319
area_code = 616
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 26-14200GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0622953GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Cedar Springs is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan, 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids, Known as "Red Flannel Town," the city is home to an annual Red Flannel Festival. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,112.

The city's official mission statement is "The City of Cedar Springs strives to be a great place to live, work and play."

History

Established as a lumber town in 1856, Cedar Springs boasted numerous lumber and shingle mills. The town was the northern terminus of the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad for two years and also was the crossing point for the east to west running Toledo, Saginaw and Muskegon Railroad, which became the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, which was built through the town in 1888. The community was named for the fine springs bordered by a cedar grove.

Red Flannel Festival

Cedar Springs has developed a reputation for its production of red flannels. Its popularity peaked in 1936, when the Associated Press featured an article about the town. Due to high demand, red flannel sales rose dramatically and established the town's status as the "Red Flannel Town."

Despite the closure of the Red Flannel factory in 1994, the town still holds an annual Red Flannel Festival the first weekend of October. This festival includes a marching band competition, arts and crafts fair, an entertainment tent, and several food booths. The festival closes every year with a parade featuring local high school marching bands, and floats sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

Featured in the parade is the "Red Flannel Festival Queen," a privileged high school junior selected in a pageant beforehand. The Queen is featured with her "court," the runners-up of the pageant. Each young lady must go through a traditional pageant format, similar to that of Miss. America. With an opening dance number, a speech on community involvement, and a random question on stage. The girls chosen are the brightest of the bright and bring a lot to their community. The winners receive a very generous scholarship to help with their future endeavors.

There is no charge to attend the festival, though there is an informal requirement that all attendants wear red. A group of mock-Keystone Cops drive around town during the festival and enforce this "law" by placing offenders in a portable jail. A small fee is required to leave the jail.

Economy

Taxes in Cedar Springs have remained steady at a millage rate of $15 per $1,000. Cedar Springs has a small retail business district and a burgeoning industrial base. The community has vast possibilities for future growth. Significant industry and business have been attracted to the Cedar Springs area, including Wolverine World Wide and various precision tool and die companies.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,542, and the median income for a family was $42,250. Males had a median income of $37,708 versus $23,056 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,040. About 12.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.4% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

The two top employers in Cedar Springs are the Cedar Springs Public Schools and Wolverine World Wide.

School district

The city is home to two high schools and several primary/middle schools:

*Cedar Springs High School (Students: 1100 Grades: 09 - 12)
*New Beginnings Alternative High School (Students: 86 Grades: 09 - 12)
*Red Hawk Elementary School (Students: 450 Grades: 05- 06)
*Cedar Springs Middle School (Students: 753 Grades: 07 - 08)
*Cedar Trails Elementary School (Students: 568; Grades: PK - 01)
*Cedar View Elementary School (Students: 548; Grades: 02 - 04)
*Beach Elementary School (Students: 468; Grades: 02 - 04)
*Creative Technologies Academy (Students: 300; Grades: K - 12)

The city is home to the Cedar Springs Public School District which encompasses 110 square miles (285 km²) and serves the city and portions of seven surrounding townships. Cedar Springs Public Schools has a current enrollment of 2,768 students located on a single 100 acre (400,000 m²) campus near downtown Cedar Springs. The school system is currently completing a $27 million building and renovation project. Cedar Springs High School has North Central Accreditation.

Total General Fund Expenditure Per Pupil (RPS): $ 5,089.03

City government

*Mayor: Linda Hunt
*Mayor Pro Tem: Patrica Capek
*City Manager: Christine M. Burns

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.9 square miles (4.8 km²), of which, 1.8 square miles (4.7 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (1.08%) is water.

Demographics

Kent County is the fastest growing county in the State of Michigan according to a recent survey, its current population being over 500,000. As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 3,112 people, 1,115 households, and 774 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,701.9 per square mile (656.6/km²). There were 1,175 housing units at an average density of 642.6/sq mi (247.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.85% White, 0.29% African American, 0.74% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 1.19% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.82% of the population. The ancestries of the city are 24% German, 14.2% American, 13.7% Dutch, 9.8% Irish, 9.5% English, and 7.4% Polish.

There were 1,115 households out of which 40.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 17.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.5% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city the population was spread out with 31.3% under the age of 18, 11.6% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 15.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.6 years (below state average). For every 100 females there are 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

For population 25 years and over in Cedar Springs:

*High school or higher: 79.4%
*Bachelor's degree or higher: 11.7% (below state average)
*Graduate or professional degree: 3.6%
*Unemployed: 8.3%
*Mean travel time to work: 25.0 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Cedar Springs city:

*Never married: 29.8%
*Now married: 47.2%
*Separated: 2.0%
*Widowed: 6.1%
*Divorced: 14.9%

2.4% Foreign born (2.0% Latin America, 0.4% Europe).

References

External links

* [http://www.cedar-springs.mi.us/ Cedar Springs, Michigan Official Website]
* [http://www.cedar-springs.mi.us/chamber.htm Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.csredhawks.org/ Cedar Springs Public Schools]
* [http://cedarsprings.llcoop.org/ Cedar Springs Public Library]
* [http://www.redflannelday.com/ The Red Flannel Festival]
* [http://www.therockfordnetwork.com/ TheRockfordNetwork.com Community Website]