Editing Mason, Michigan

{{Distinguish|Mason County, Michigan}}
{{For|the unincorporated community in the Upper Peninsula|Mason, Houghton County, Michigan}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Mason, Michigan
|official_name            = City of Mason
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
|image_skyline            = Mason downtown wiki.jpg
|imagesize                = 275
|image_caption            = Downtown Mason from Town Square
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
|pushpin_map            = Michigan#USA
|pushpin_label_position = left<!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none -->
|pushpin_label          = Mason
|pushpin_map_caption    = Location within the state of Michigan##Location within the United States
|pushpin_mapsize        = 
|image_map                = Mason, MI location.png
|mapsize                  = 250
|map_caption              = Location within [[Ingham County, Michigan|Ingham County]]
|subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Michigan]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Ingham County, Michigan|Ingham]]
|government_type          = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
|governing_body           = 
|leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name              = Russell W. Whipple
|leader_title1            = [[City manager|Manager]]
|leader_name1             = Deborah Stuart
|leader_title2            = [[Municipal clerk|Clerk]]
|leader_name2             = Sarah Jarvis
|established_title        = Settled
|established_date         = 1836
|established_title2       = Incorporated
|established_date2        = 1865 (village)<br>1875 (city)
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_footnotes           = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_26.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=May 21, 2022}}</ref>
|area_total_km2           = 13.29
|area_total_sq_mi         = 5.13
|area_land_km2            = 13.24
|area_land_sq_mi          = 5.11
|area_water_km2           = 0.05
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02
|area_water_percent       = 
|area_urban_km2           = 
|area_urban_sq_mi         = 
|area_metro_km2           = 
|area_metro_sq_mi         = 
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 8283
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_density_km2   = 625.81
|population_density_sq_mi = 1620.94
|population_note          = 
|population_metro         = 
|population_urban         = 
|timezone                 = EST
|utc_offset               = -5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -4
|coordinates              = {{coord|42|34|50|N|84|26|34|W|region:US-MI_type:adm2nd_source:GNIS|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 915
|website                  = {{URL|http://www.mason.mi.us|Official website}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
|postal_code              = 48854
|area_code                = [[Area code 517|517]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 26-52180<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 1626706<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1626706}}</ref>
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|unit_pref = Imperial
}}
'''Mason''' is a city and the [[county seat]] of [[Ingham County, Michigan|Ingham County]] in the U.S. state of [[Michigan]].  The population was 8,252 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> Mason was named after [[Stevens T. Mason]], the state's first [[Governor of Michigan|governor]].

==History==
In 1836 Charles Noble knew that Michigan would be seeking a central location for a new capital when it became a state. He purchased an area of forest, cleared 20 acres (81,000 m2), and founded Mason Center. The "Center" was soon dropped. In 1847, however, the state chose Lansing Township 12 miles (19&nbsp;km) northward to be its capital due to its potential for water power. Noble managed to make Mason the county seat instead. Ingham County's first downtown courthouse was built in 1843, and was replaced in 1858, and the economy thrived in the first decades based on sawmills, carriage and cart factories, copper shops, a steam flourmill and a buffalo robe manufacturer. In 1865, Mason was incorporated as a village; in 1875 the town became a city. In the 1800s, Mason was the center of Ingham County activity, even more than was Lansing, the state capital. In 1877, Lansing attempted to take the status of county seat for itself, but the two cities made an agreement that moved some county offices and courts to Lansing in exchange for Mason remaining the county seat. As a result, Michigan is the only state in the country with a capital city that is not also a county seat.

The economy thrived in the first decades based on [[sawmill]]s, [[carriage]] and [[cart]] factories, [[copper]] shops, a [[steam]] [[Gristmill|flourmill]] and a [[buffalo robe]] manufacturer.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2008-02-19 |title=Noble's dashed dream for Mason |url=https://www.leaderpub.com/2008/02/19/nobles-dashed-dream-for-mason/ |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=Leader Publications}}</ref> In 1865, Mason was incorporated as a village; in 1875 the town became a city. In the 1800s, Mason was the center of Ingham County activity, even more than was Lansing, the state capital. In 1877, Lansing attempted to take the status of county seat for itself, but the two cities made an agreement that moved some county offices and courts to Lansing in exchange for Mason remaining the county seat. As a result, Michigan is the only state in the country with a capital city that is not also a county seat.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

Up into the early 1900s, the local Ojibwa tribe had a visible presence in the town. In the 1900s, The [[Wyeth|Wyeth Corporation]] began producing baby formula in Mason, but that was discontinued in the 1990s. Today, it is home to the headquarters of [[Dart Container|Dart Container Corporation]]. Michigan Packaging Company, Gestamp Hardtech, and Ingham Intermediate School District also have facilities in the Mason area.  Cattle can still be seen grazing within the city limits.<ref>Schultz, Todd: ''Michigan History Magazine'', issue January/February 2008, page 50.</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.13|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|5.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref> [[Sycamore Creek (Michigan)|Sycamore Creek]] flows through the city.<ref>[http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ The National Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329155652/http://viewer.nationalmap.gov/viewer/ |date=2012-03-29 }}, accessed 2015-09-23</ref>
[[File:MasonEsker.JPG|right|thumb|200x200px|A part of the Mason Esker]]
Mason sits upon the Mason [[Esker]], which is one of the longest eskers in the western hemisphere.<ref>{{cite book|title=Field Manual of Soil Engineering |year=1952 |publisher= Michigan. State Highway Dept|page=8|quote=The longest esker in Michigan is called the Mason esker and it extends from the outskirts of Lansing to a point beyond Mason }}</ref>

==Transportation==
*{{jct|state=MI|US|127}}
*{{jct|state=MI|M|36}}
* The [[Capital Area Transportation Authority]] (CATA) provides bus service from Lansing to Mason.  Route 46 runs weekdays from downtown Lansing to the southside of Mason.  The ''Mason Connector'' runs weekdays and Saturday from south Lansing to Mason.<ref>[http://www.cata.org/Schedules/RouteInformation/Route46/tabid/253/Default.aspx CATA Route 46 Mason, Limited], CATA.org, ''retrieved 2009-Nov-05''</ref>
* [[Mason Jewett Field|Jewett Field]] is a general aviation airport located southeast of Mason.  Scheduled passenger air carrier flights are provided by [[Capital Region International Airport]] located at the northwest corner of Ingham County.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 363
|1870= 1212
|1880= 1809
|1890= 1875
|1900= 1828
|1910= 1742
|1920= 1879
|1930= 2575
|1940= 2867
|1950= 3514
|1960= 4522
|1970= 5468
|1980= 6019
|1990= 6768
|2000= 6714
|2010= 8252
|2020= 8283
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-11-25}}</ref> of 2010, there were 8,252 people, 3,278 households, and 2,032 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1618.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,574 housing units at an average density of {{convert|700.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 90.2% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 5.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.7% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.7% of the population.

There were 3,278 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.

The median age in the city was 37.8 years. 21.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.7% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.8% male and 49.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 6,714 people, 2,806 households, and 1,826 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,466.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,961 dwelling units at an average density of {{convert|646.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 95.98% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.64% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.46% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.71% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.74% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.46% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.73% of the population.
[[Image:Ingham county courthouse night.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Ingham County Courthouse]]
There were 2,806 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.6% under the age of 18, 8.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $41,790, and the median income for a family was $53,519. Males had a median income of $41,081 versus $26,266 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,866. About 1.3% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 1.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over

==Economy==
* The Mason area is home to [[Dart Container]] Corporation, the largest manufacturer of foam cups and containers in the world. Dart is known for being [[Vertical integration|vertically integrated]], and is one of the largest privately owned corporations in Michigan. Dart Container also owns Solo.

==Notable people==
*[[Steve Clark (soccer)|Steve Clark]] — soccer player<ref>{{Cite web |title=Steve Clark |url=https://www.houstondynamofc.com/dynamo2/players/steve-clark/ |access-date=April 11, 2025 |website=[[Houston Dynamo FC|Houston Dynamo]]}}</ref>
* [[Ion Cortright]] — a 1907 graduate of Mason High School, was a college football and men's basketball coach; during his coaching career, he was head coach for the [[University of South Dakota]], [[University of Cincinnati]], and North Dakota Agricultural College (now [[North Dakota State University]])
* [[Alan Curtis (harpsichordist)|Alan Curtis]] — born in Mason in 1934 and a graduate of Mason High School in 1951, was a harpsichordist, musicologist and conductor of baroque opera
* [[David Feintuch]] — author of the science fiction series the [[Seafort Saga]], was a longtime resident of Mason
* [[Kristin Haynie]] — a former point guard, who played in college basketball at [[Michigan State University]]; she played professionally in the [[Women's National Basketball Association]] and [[Europe]], currently an assistant coach at [[Central Michigan University]]
* [[John W. Longyear]] — a judge and politician, moved to Mason in 1844, where he taught school and studied law
* [[Denny Stolz]] — a 1951 graduate of Mason High School, is a former college football coach; during his 23-year college coaching career, he was head coach for [[Alma College]], [[Michigan State University]], [[Bowling Green State University]], and [[San Diego State University]]
* [[Floyd Wilcox]] — born in Mason in 1886,<ref>{{cite news|work=The Institution Bulletin|page=274|title=Students: 1913|volume=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=P4EZAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA3-PA274}}</ref> was the third president of [[Shimer College]]
* [[Malcolm X]] (then known as Malcolm Little) — spent part of his childhood in Mason.<ref>{{cite book |last=Marable |first=Manning |author-link=Manning Marable |title=[[Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention]] |location=New York |publisher=Viking |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-670-02220-5 |pages=36–38 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Perry |first=Bruce |title=Malcolm: The Life of a Man Who Changed Black America |year=1991 |publisher=Station Hill |location=Barrytown, N.Y. |isbn=978-0-88268-103-0 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/malcolmlifeofman00perr/page/36 36–38, 42–43] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/malcolmlifeofman00perr/page/36 }}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Michigan}}
{{commons}}
* [http://www.mason.mi.us/ Official Website of the City of Mason]
* [http://www.masonchamber.org/ Official Website of the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100510122142/http://www.mason.k12.mi.us/ Official Website of the Mason Public Schools]

{{Cities of Ingham County, Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}
{{Adjacent communities|North-west=[[Holt, Michigan]]|NORTHWEST=[[East Lansing, Michigan]]|North=[[Okemos, Michigan]]|North-east=[[Williamston, Michigan]]|Centre=Mason, Michigan|EAST=[[Dansville, Michigan]]|South-west=[[Eaton Rapids, Michigan]]|South=[[Leslie, Michigan]]}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Ingham County, Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:Lansing–East Lansing metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1836]]
[[Category:1836 establishments in Michigan Territory]]