Editing Saginaw, Michigan

{{Redirect|Saginaw}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Saginaw
| official_name      =
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| nickname           = "Sagnasty"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Engel |first=Justin |date=October 20, 2022 |title=Draymond Green trademarked 'Sagnasty,' a slang word for Saginaw with dual meanings |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2022/10/draymond-green-trademarked-sagnasty-a-slang-word-for-saginaw-with-dual-meanings.html |access-date=January 6, 2024 |website=mlive |language=en}}</ref>
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border                 = infobox
| total_width            = 280
| image_style            = border:1;
| perrow                 = 1/2/2
| image1 = Saginaw, Michigan Skyline (2022).jpg
| caption1 = Downtown Saginaw
| image2 = Castle Museum of Saginaw County History.jpg
| caption2 = [[Castle Museum (Saginaw, Michigan)|Castle Museum]]
| image3 = The Saginaw Waterworks has a maximum capacity of 52 million gallons a day (4330378847).jpg
| caption3 = [[The Grove (Saginaw, Michigan)|The Grove]]
| image4 = Temple Theater-Masonic temple - E Saginaw HBD - Saginaw Michigan.jpg
| caption4 = [[Temple Theatre (Saginaw, Michigan)|Temple Theatre]]
| image5 = Dow Event Center, Saginaw Michigan.jpg
| caption5 = [[Dow Event Center]]
}}
| image_flag         = Saginaw Michigan Flag.gif
| image_seal         = Seal of the City of Saginaw.png
| image_blank_emblem = Wordmark of Saginaw, Michigan.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  =
| pushpin_map        = Michigan#USA
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| pushpin_label      = Saginaw
| image_map          = Saginaw, MI location.png
| mapsize            = 250
| map_caption        = Location within [[Saginaw County, Michigan|Saginaw County]]
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Michigan|County]]
| subdivision_name   = {{Flagu|United States}}
| subdivision_name1  = {{Flag|Michigan}}
| subdivision_name2  = [[Saginaw County, Michigan|Saginaw]]
| government_type    = [[Council–manager government|Council–manager]]
| leader_title       =
| leader_name        =
| leader_title1      = [[List of mayors of Saginaw, Michigan|Mayor]]
| leader_name1       = Brenda Moore ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title2      = [[City manager]]
| leader_name2       = Tim Morales
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1819
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2  = 1857
<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| 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     = 46.12
| area_land_km2      = 44.28
| area_water_km2     = 1.84
| area_total_sq_mi   = 17.81
| area_land_sq_mi    = 17.10
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.71
| area_water_percent = <!-- Population -->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 43,185
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  =
| population_footnotes =
| population_total   = 44,202
| population_rank    =
| population_density_km2 = 998.29
| population_density_sq_mi = 2585.52
| population_urban   = 116,058
| population_metro   = 187,782
| population_blank1_title = [[Combined statistical area|CSA]]
| population_blank1  = 374,321
| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset         = −5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −4
| latitude           =
| longitude          =
| coordinates        = {{coord|43|25|12|N|83|57|00|W|region:US–MI|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_ft       = 591
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code|ZIP code(s)]]
| postal_code        = 48601–48609, 48638, 48663
| area_code          = [[Area code 989|989]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 26-70520
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 1627020<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|1627020}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.saginaw-mi.com}}
| footnotes          =
}}

'''Saginaw''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|s|æ|g|ᵻ|n|ɔː}}) is a city in [[Saginaw County, Michigan]], United States, and its [[county seat]].<ref name="naco">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=/cffiles/counties/county.cfm&id=26145 |title=About Saginaw County, MI |publisher=[[National Association of Counties]] |access-date=November 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018130025/http://naco.org/Template.cfm?Section=Find_a_County&Template=%2Fcffiles%2Fcounties%2Fcounty.cfm&id=26145 |archive-date=October 18, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It had a population of 44,202 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Saginaw city, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2670520|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=April 15, 2022}}</ref> Located along the [[Saginaw River]], Saginaw is adjacent to [[Saginaw Charter Township, Michigan|Saginaw Charter Township]] and considered part of [[Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City metropolitan area|Greater Tri-Cities]] region of [[Central Michigan]]. The Saginaw [[Metropolitan statistical area|metropolitan area]] had a population of 190,124 in 2020, while the Tri-Cities area had 377,474 residents.

Established as a fort following the 1819 [[Treaty of Saginaw]], Saginaw was a thriving [[lumber]] town in the 19th century. It was an important industrial city and manufacturing center throughout much of the 20th century due to its [[Automotive industry in the United States|automobile and automotive parts]] production led by [[General Motors]].<ref>{{cite web |title=The Saginaw Lumber Boom (1850–1894) |url=http://michiganhistory.leadr.msu.edu/the-saginaw-lumber-boom-1850-1894/ |website=Michigan State University}}</ref> As part of the [[Rust Belt]], its industry and strong manufacturing presence declined, leading to increased unemployment, crime, and a population decline.<ref name="epic-lumber">{{cite web |url=http://www.michigan-history.org/lumbering/LumberingBriefHistory.html |title=A Brief History of Lumbering in Michigan |publisher=Michigan Center for History Studies |access-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> Modern economic development is focused on comparative advantages in innovation, clean energy, and continued manufacturing exports. However, the city continues to have a higher proportion of manufacturing jobs than the U.S. average.<ref>{{cite report |title=Michigan Economics Condition Assessment: Flint, Kalamazoo, Holland, And Saginaw| date = 2012 | url=http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/2012/2/23-michigan-economy/0223_michigan_mid_metros.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416205723/http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/reports/2012/2/23-michigan-economy/0223_michigan_mid_metros.pdf |archive-date=April 16, 2014 |url-status=live|publisher=Brookings Institution|access-date=April 15, 2014}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The name Saginaw is widely believed to mean "where the [[Sauk people|Sauk]] were" in [[Ojibwe]], from ''Sace-nong'' or ''Sak-e-nong'' (Sauk Town), due to the belief that the Sauk once lived there. But it is more likely that the name means "place of the outlet", from the Ojibwe ''sag'' (opening) and ''ong'' (place of).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clarke.cmich.edu/localhistory/Saginaw.htm|title=Clarke Home—entral Michigan University|work=cmich.edu}}</ref><ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-153-54463_54466_20829-54126--,00.html Michigan Counties.] DNR. Retrieved November 5, 2012.</ref>

When Natives told [[Samuel de Champlain]] that the Sauk nation was on the western shore of [[Lake Michigan]], Champlain mistakenly placed them on the western shore of [[Lake Huron]]. This mistake was copied on subsequent maps, and future references identified this as the place of the Sauks. Champlain himself never visited what is now Michigan.<ref>Saginaw's Changeable Past, by Jeremy W. Kilar, G. Bradley, St. Louis, MO, 1994, p. 15</ref>

==History==
{{Main|History of Saginaw, Michigan}}

===19th century===
====Early history====
The site of what later became the city of Saginaw was originally inhabited by the [[Anishinaabe|Anishnabeg]]. French missionaries and traders first appeared in the area during the late 17th century and encountered the [[Ojibwe|Ojibwe (Chippewa)]] living in the area. The first permanent settlement by those other than Native Americans was in 1816 when [[Louis Campau]] established a trading post on the west bank of the Saginaw River.<ref name=wses>{{cite news|last1=Manning|first1=Nancy Sajdak|title=West Side, East Side|url=http://www.greatlakesbaymag.com/2014/06/west-side-east-side/|access-date=January 22, 2015|work=Great Lakes Bay Magazine|issue=June 2014|publisher=Great Lakes Publishing}}</ref> Shortly thereafter the [[United States]] established Fort Saginaw. Campau's trading post was also inhabited by Metis.

During Michigan's territorial period, a county and township government were organized at Saginaw. Growth of the settlement was fueled rapidly during the 19th century by the lumber industry. Saginaw was the site of numerous sawmills and served as a port for Great Lakes vessels. What is now the city of Saginaw resulted from the consolidation of the cities of East Saginaw and Saginaw City (West Side) in 1889.

====Fort Saginaw====
In 1819, [[Lewis Cass]], in the [[Treaty of Saginaw]], negotiated the prerogative for the [[United States]] to own and settle the area with the leaders of the [[Ojibwe]]. In 1820, Campau attempted to expand across to the east bank of the river but was rejected by the Chippewas. In 1822, the [[United States Army]] established a [[fort]] on the west bank of the [[Saginaw River]] and named it Fort Saginaw. Two [[Company (military unit)|companies]] were stationed at the fort. A group of investors purchased some land near the fort and had it [[plat]]ted under the name, Town of Sagana. Due to the extremely harsh seasons and illnesses, Fort Saginaw was abandoned by 1824.<ref name=wses/>

By the late 1820s, the [[American Fur Company]] was operating a post at Saginaw.

Few plots were sold and after the U.S. Army pulled out, the town languished for most of the following decade. The town was re-platted in December 1830, comprising riverfront from Cass Street, on the south, to Harrison Street, and north to Jefferson. These plots sold slowly. By 1835, only 24 plots had been sold and the remainder were transferred to a new owner, who made another plat in February 1837. However, the [[financial crisis]] of the [[Panic of 1837]] dampened interest in purchasing properties. After selling only 58 of the 407 plots, the remainder was sold again in 1841.<ref name="leeson">{{cite book |last=Leeson |first=Michael A. |title=History of Saginaw county, Michigan |orig-year=1881 |url=http://name.umdl.umich.edu/bad1164.0001.001 |access-date=April 11, 2007 |year=2005 |publisher=University of Michigan Library |location=Ann Arbor, Mich. |pages=596+}}</ref>

====Native Americans====
Saginaw was the location of the annual government payment to the Ojibwe and Ottawa of the area, starting in the 1830s. This also attracted many French-Canadian and Euro-American merchants, primarily involved in selling watered down whiskey.<ref>''History of Saginaw County, Michigan'' (Chicago: Charles A. Chapman, 1881) p. 122–123</ref>

====Lumber boom====
[[File:Eddy Lumber Docks 1888.jpg|thumb|Eddy Lumber Docks]]
[[File:Holland Street Lumber Docks 1888.jpg|thumb|Holland Lumber Docks on [[Saginaw River]] 1888]]
[[File:Lumber Docks in Old Saginaw City at Mackinaw Street 1888.jpg|thumb|Lumber Docks in Saginaw City at Mackinaw Street 1888]]
[[File:Lumber Docks A.W. Wright 1888.jpg|thumb|Lumber Docks AW Wright along Saginaw River]]
[[File:Pere Marquette Railroad Station on Potter Street 1888.jpg|thumb|Pere Marquette Railroad Station (Potter Street Station) 1888]]
The main cause for the founding and subsequent development of Saginaw was the large demand for lumber as the [[United States]] expanded westward. A virgin growth forest principally consisting of white pine trees covered most of Michigan. The convenient access to transportation provided by the [[Saginaw River]] and its numerous tributaries fueled a massive expansion in population and economic activity. As the trees were being cut down in the region, logs were floated down the rivers to sawmills located in Saginaw, destined to be loaded onto ships and later railroad cars.

Multiple settlements comprise present-day Saginaw. On the west side of the river the first settlement around what had been Fort Saginaw developed into Saginaw, which was incorporated as a city in 1857, containing the seat of the Saginaw County government. On the east side of the river a parallel settlement, East Saginaw, developed which was incorporated first as a village in 1855, and then as a city in 1859. Also south of East Saginaw, on the east bank of the river, the village of Salina formed. Salina's name relates to the [[brine]] that led to a growing industry of salt production in the area. Both Saginaw and East Saginaw quickly became a hub for railroad transportation in addition to ships on the Saginaw River.
Lumber production peaked by the early 1870s, but had virtually disappeared by the end of the 19th century. In addition to salt production, which experienced an eventual decline as well, growing industries, such as those supporting the area's agriculture and manufacturing, developed.

====Consolidation====
[[File:City Hall built 1890.jpg|thumb|Saginaw City Hall]]
[[File:Saginaw City from Courthouse 1888.jpg|thumb|Saginaw City, looking east from the courthouse towards the river, 1888]]
On June 28, 1889, the [[Michigan]] state legislature passed Act 455 to consolidate the cities of Saginaw and [[East Saginaw, Michigan|East Saginaw]] into a single city.<ref name="minutes">{{cite web |url=http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/CityCouncil/Minutes/2005/06-27-05%20Council%20Meeting-NA.doc |title=Minutes of City Council Meeting—June 27, 2005 |access-date=November 29, 2007}}</ref><ref name="charter">{{cite web |url=http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/charter/preface.php |title=City Charter Preface |access-date=November 29, 2007}}</ref> Prior to this consolidation, the nearby village of Salina had already become part of East Saginaw. The consolidation of Saginaw became effective with the election of officers on March 12, 1890.<ref name="charter" />

The provisions of the [[city charter]] were established by the same act of the legislature that provided for the consolidation. Saginaw was to be governed by a [[city council]] consisting of two [[aldermen]] elected from 21 wards and a mainly ceremonial executive [[mayor]] who was to have fairly weak powers. This was to be, as numerous other elected officials, along with elected or appointed boards, controlled much of the administrative and executive functions of government. The efficient and cohesive functioning of the Saginaw city government also was constrained by remaining rivalries between residents, business owners, and politicians from the former two cities. The distinctions and rivalries between Saginaw's east side and west side persisted into the 20th century in various forms, and continues to influence Saginaw's social, political, economic landscape, even into the 2010s.<ref name="rev-150th">{{cite journal |last=Thompson |first=Mike |date=June 2007 |title=Saginaw Celebrates its 150th Birthday! |journal=Review Magazine |volume=29 |issue=641 |url=http://review-mag.com/archive/640-649/641/Saginaw150.htm |access-date=November 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022004509/http://www.review-mag.com/archive/640-649/641/Saginaw150.htm |archive-date=October 22, 2007 }}</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:Panorama of downtown Saginaw in 1912.jpg|thumb|Panorama of downtown Saginaw, 1912]]

====Industrialization====
[[File:Downtown Saginaw 1915.jpg|thumb|Downtown Saginaw about 1915]]
In the early 20th century, [[automobile]] production proliferated throughout Michigan, but most notably in [[Detroit]]. Other Michigan cities became suppliers to Detroit factories, sometimes with factories of their own. In Saginaw, the Jackson-Church-Wilcox Company began as a partnership in 1906 for producing [[steering]] gear under the "Jacox" brand. Jackson-Church-Wilcox was acquired by [[Buick]] in 1909, and as part of [[General Motors]] became the Jackson, Church and Wilcox Division, the first GM division devoted to parts production. In 1919 the Jacox division was merged with Saginaw Malleable Iron and Central Foundry into GM's [[Saginaw Metal Casting Operations|Saginaw Products Company]]. This formed the basis for the Saginaw Steering Gear Division, created in 1928. General Motors and other manufacturers established [[foundries]] and other automobile-related manufacturing facilities in Saginaw, for the production of chemicals and plate glass, as well as metal fabrication. This early development of a symbiotic relationship with the auto industry set the course for the future of the city.<ref name="steering">{{cite web |url=http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Saginaw_Steering_Division|title=Saginaw Steering Division—Generations of GM|access-date=June 23, 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Aerial View of Downtown Saginaw 1930.jpg|thumb|Aerial View of Downtown Saginaw in 1930]]
Before the United States entered [[Allies of World War II|World War II]], Saginaw's industrial complex became directed towards military production. Turning its efforts to the production of [[munitions]], [[weapons|ordnance]] and components for military vehicles made Saginaw a significant contributor to the Allies' victory. Saginaw was home to a production facility that produced [[M1919 Browning machine gun|.30 caliber machine guns]] more quickly and at lower cost than the Army thought possible, armor-piercing shells for anti-tank use,<ref name=Saginaw-WWIIproduction-MBC>{{cite news|last=Rogers|first=Dave|title=Why Did U.S. Win WW II? Saginaw Gun Plant Personified Patriotic Production|url=http://www.mybaycity.com/scripts/p3_v2/P3V3-0200.cfm?P3_NewspaperID=868&P3_articleID=6946|access-date=May 13, 2013|newspaper=MyBayCity.com|date=April 22, 2012}}</ref> and more than half a million [[M1 carbine]] rifles for the US military during World War II, the "Gun Plant" that later became Steering Gear Plant 2.<ref name="fulton">{{cite web |url=http://www.fulton-armory.com/M1Carbine.htm |title=A Pocket History of the M1 Carbine |access-date=November 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012152834/http://fulton-armory.com/M1Carbine.htm |archive-date=October 12, 2007 }}</ref> Saginaw Steering Gear's Plant{{nbsp}}1 also began wartime production in 1941, concentrating on ball screws that would eventually be used in the wing flaps of the [[Boeing]] [[B-29 Superfortress]].<ref name=ThomsonAero-AboutUs /><ref>Herman, Arthur. ''Freedom's Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II,'' pp. 110-11, 146, 216, Random House, New York, NY, 2012. {{ISBN|978-1-4000-6964-4}}.</ref> Malleable Iron converted its production of Armasteel from engine components to gun parts and tank treads,<ref name=Bowman-CentralFoundry /> while Grey Iron specialized in the production of magnesium for use in [[Pratt & Whitney]] airplane engines.<ref name=SMCOtimeline-2009 />

Migration from across the country, particularly from the [[Southern United States]], drastically increased Saginaw's population during the war years and through the 1950s. This population growth included the expanded presence of African Americans and Latinos in Saginaw. Even before the end of the war, the needs of Saginaw's growth became clear, and were met by significant investment in the city's infrastructure. In 1947, Saginaw and the nearby city of [[Midland, Michigan|Midland]] constructed a {{convert|65|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}} [[water supply]] pipeline drawing water from Whitestone Point in [[Lake Huron]] to meet the anticipated needs of the communities. In addition, the cities of Midland and [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]] joined with Saginaw to develop and operate an airport on the site of a former POW camp in nearby [[Tittabawassee Township]], which eventually became [[MBS International Airport]].

====Governance====
[[File:Saginaw City Hall burning in 1935.jpg|thumb|Saginaw city hall burning in 1935. It was replaced with a modest [[Art Deco]] building a year later.]]
In 1908, a new [[Michigan Constitution|Michigan state constitution]] was adopted. The new Michigan state constitution mandated increased [[home rule]] powers for local units of government, and the Michigan state legislature enacted the [[Home Rule Cities Act (Michigan)|Home Rule Cities Act]] in 1909. Under this [[statute]], cities were permitted to frame and adopt their own city charters and were given great flexibility in structuring their local governments. The government, under the 1889 charter, had continued to be inefficient and provided for much political infighting. In 1913, a new city charter was adopted with voter approval and which followed a [[City commission government|commission form of city government]] that had gained in popular interest among various cities across the United States in the early 20th century. The new government consisted of five commissioners, each elected separately [[at-large]], who served both as the city council and as the executive heads of various city government departments. One of the commissioners served as the mayor, which was a mostly ceremonial role.

The 1913 city charter was followed for little more than two decades when the voters of the city again adopted another new city charter in 1935 following the [[Council-manager government|council-manager form of government]]. The government under the 1913 city charter retained some of the independent boards that were given authority independent of the elected city commissioners. This caused some inefficiency and political friction. The economic consequences of the [[Great Depression]] during the 1930s provided the final catalyst for municipal government reform.

In contrast to the previous government structures, the 1935 charter, having taken effect in 1936, provided for all administration of city government to be headed directly by a single officer, the [[city manager]], who was appointed by, and accountable to a city council of nine members elected as a group by the entire city at-large. The system was designed to address two principal issues with Saginaw's history of municipal government, the inefficiency and politics associated with having executive and administrative authority spread among many different officers and boards, and political rivalries and friction between various geographic areas of the city, mainly the east side and the west side.

====Post World War II====
In the years following [[World War II]], the Michigan state legislature enacted laws making it increasingly difficult for incorporated cities to expand by annexing territory from neighboring townships. Townships, which had historically served an agrarian, smaller population than that of larger cities, were given the ability to provide nearly all the same services an incorporated city could. Although Midland pursued (and continues to pursue) a policy of "No annexation, no water,"<ref name=MidlandMUGAhistory>{{cite web|title=The Midland Urban Growth Area (MUGA)|url=http://www.midland-mi.org/government/departments/planning/planning/muga.htm|publisher=City of Midland Planning Department|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> Saginaw chose to sell water to neighboring communities under long-term contracts. This allowed the townships to further develop at the expense of the city, the limits of which changed little after consolidation in 1889–90. The unintended consequence of this choice was that Saginaw's population stopped growing, new housing development focused on the suburban townships, and businesses eventually followed.

===21st century===

====Population decline====
Manufacturing in Saginaw declined in the latter half of the 20th century, leading to high unemployment in the city. As a result, the city's population diminished dramatically. From 2000 to 2010, the population of Saginaw proper decreased by nearly 10,000. Michigan's population during that period decreased by 0.6% percent, the only U.S. state to lose population during the decade of the 2000s. In addition, Saginaw has faced increasing social problems relating to poverty as a result of its high rate of unemployment. The crime rate has been a major area of concern for the community.<ref>{{cite web|title=Census 2010 News U.S. Census Bureau Releases Data on Population Distribution and Change in the U.S. Based on Analysis of 2010|url=http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn124.html|access-date=June 23, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016002430/http://2010.census.gov/news/releases/operations/cb11-cn124.html|archive-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref>

====Unemployment and crime====
Saginaw's economic conditions, compounded by the [[Great Recession]], are a significant area of concern for the city's residents. The decline in manufacturing jobs has resulted in higher than average rates of unemployment. Property values in the city have declined, decreasing the amount the city government collects in property taxes. Unemployment in Saginaw peaked in July 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, standing at 23.5%. The unemployment rate dropped to 9.0% as of April 2015; crime has decreased as unemployment has decreased.

Saginaw consistently ranks as having one of the highest crime rates in both Michigan and the United States at large.<ref>Gus Burns, [https://web.archive.org/web/20200807155516/https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/2010/09/post_75.html "Saginaw remains most violent city in America, despite overall crime drop,"] ''MLive,'' Updated January 21, 2019.</ref><ref name=":0">Samuel Stebbins, [https://247wallst.com/city/saginaw-mi-reported-one-of-the-highest-murder-rates-in-the-us/ "Saginaw, MI Reported One of the Highest Murder Rates in the US,"] ''24/7 Wall Street''</ref><ref>Hasan Dudar, [https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2018/05/08/detroit-flint-rank-most-dangerous-cities/586685002/ "Report: Detroit, Flint, Saginaw among 10 most dangerous U.S. cities,"] ''Detroit Free Press'', May 8, 2018.</ref><ref>Gus Burns, [https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/10/homicides-are-down-but-michigan-has-a-new-most-violent-city-fbi-stats-reveal.html "Homicides are down but Michigan has a new 'most-violent' city, FBI stats reveal,"] ''MLive'', Updated October 10, 2022.</ref><ref>Ryan Jeltema, [https://www.abc12.com/news/crime/saginaw-passes-detroit-for-michigans-highest-violent-crime-rate/article_5a543b04-4970-11ed-bc67-3fba309bd153.html "Saginaw passes Detroit for Michigan's highest violent crime rate,"] ''ABC12'', October 11, 2022.</ref> In 2020, Saginaw had a homicide rate of 50.2 per 100,000 people, narrowly surpassing Detroit's rate (49.7) and dwarfing the State and National Rates (7.6 and 6.5, respectively).<ref name=":0" /><ref>Samuel Stebbins, [https://247wallst.com/state/how-the-murder-rate-in-michigan-compares-to-the-rest-of-the-country/ "How the Murder Rate in Michigan Compares to the Rest of the Country,"] ''24/7 Wall Street''</ref>

====Combating blight====
Unemployment and population loss in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has led to [[urban decay]], specifically a rise in abandoned homes that provided locations for criminal activity. In recent years, city officials, law enforcement, and neighborhood watch associations have made progress in preventing this activity by heavily patrolling target areas and offering rewards for reporting illegal or suspicious activities.

Efforts to reduce blight in Saginaw increased greatly in 2013, with the [[United States Department of the Treasury]] approving a grant to demolish vacant and abandoned properties via the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The $100 million grant contained $11.2 million set aside for Saginaw, with Detroit receiving $52.3 million, Flint $20.1 million, [[Pontiac, Michigan|Pontiac]] $3.7 million, and the final $2.5 million going to [[Grand Rapids, Michigan|Grand Rapids]].<ref name="Oosting">{{cite web |last=Oosting |first=Jonathan |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/08/detroit_to_get_bulk_of_federal.html |title=Detroit, Flint and Saginaw get bulk of federal funds awarded to fight blight in 5 Michigan cities |publisher=Mlive.com |date=August 20, 2013 |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref> After the grant's approval, Saginaw city officials announced a program to purchase unwanted, abandoned structures from their owners, which would be then added to a list of homes to tear down. Officials estimate that there were nearly 1,200 homes within the city limits worthy of demolition.<ref name="Tower">{{cite web |last=Tower |first=Mark |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/11/sell_your_run-down_house_for_c.html |title=Sell your run-down house in Saginaw for cash: Owners given chance to unload properties |publisher=Mlive.com |date=November 21, 2013 |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref>

Efforts to revitalize downtown increased in 2013. CBS television executive and Saginaw native David Strouse announced an investment plan in late 2013 that would save nearly an entire block of buildings slated for demolition at the intersection of Washington and Genesee, the core of downtown Saginaw. The plan called for the renovation and redevelopment of four buildings, creating market-rate apartments on the upper floors and retail space at ground level. In 2012 a similar deal was made for the Bancroft and Eddy apartments at the same intersection. Once [[Section 8 (housing)|Section{{nbsp}}8]] housing, these buildings are being transformed into market-rate apartments and retail space.<ref name="Tower2">{{cite web |last=Tower |first=Mark |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/09/cbs_television_executives_to_d.html |title=CBS Television executive confirms multimillion-dollar plans for historic block in downtown Saginaw |publisher=Mlive.com |date=September 24, 2013 |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref>

Economic development in the region is focused on comparative advantages in innovation, clean energy, and continued manufacturing exports. Compared to other mid-sized communities, Saginaw has a high number of patent applications per job, and more than 81 times the average US share of jobs in photovoltaic technology research and production. The city continues to have a higher proportion of manufacturing jobs than the US average.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/0223_michigan_mid_metros.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180209002818/https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/0223_michigan_mid_metros.pdf |archive-date=February 9, 2018 |url-status=live |title=Info |website=www.brookings.edu }}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|18.10|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|17.34|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.76|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=November 25, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref> Saginaw lies on the [[Saginaw River]], {{convert|15|mi|km}} inland from the [[Saginaw Bay]], an arm of [[Lake Huron]]. The city sits in the middle of the Saginaw Bay watershed, the largest in the state of Michigan.  It includes the largest contiguous fresh-water coastal wetland in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationByGeography/NorthAmerica/UnitedStates/michigan/projects/Pages/SagBayWatershed.aspx|title=Saginaw Bay Watershed|website=www.conservationgateway.org}}</ref>

===Neighborhoods===
The City of Saginaw consists of many diverse neighborhoods,<ref name="Neighborhood Associations">{{cite web|url=http://www.saginaw-mi.com/residents/neighborhoodassociations/|title=City of Saginaw MI—Neighborhood Associations|work=saginaw-mi.com}}</ref> including:
* Downtown
* Old Town<ref>{{cite web|url=http://oldtownsaginawmi.com/home|title=Old Town Saginaw, MI.com|access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defoenet.com/OldTownSaginaw/|title=Redirect|author=David Defoe|work=defoenet.com}}</ref>
* Southwest Village<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Northmoor<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2008/10/citizen_force_comes_on_strong.html|title=UPDATE: Citizen force comes on strong; keeps fires at bay|work=MLive.com|date=October 31, 2008}}</ref>
* Heritage Square<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hsna.net/maps.html|title=Heritage Square|work=hsna.net}}</ref>
* Cathedral District<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.mlive.com/saginawnews/2008/01/cathedral_district_a_city_prio.html|title=Cathedral District a city priority|work=MLive.com|date=January 6, 2008}}</ref>
* Houghton Jones Neighborhood<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houghtonjones.org/|title=Houghton Jones Neighborhood Association|work=houghtonjones.org}}</ref>
* South East Side<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Triangle Parks<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* St. Stephen's Area<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Brockway-Carmen Park<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Butman-Fish Neighborhood<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Redeemer Area<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Saginaw High Neighborhood<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Northeast Side<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2008/05/saginaw_neigbhors_rally_agains.html|title=Saginaw neighbors rally against halfway house|work=MLive.com|date=May 2008}}</ref>
* Covenant Neighborhood<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2009/01/attendance_was_robust_at_sagin.html|title=Attendance was robust at Saginaw's Covenant Neighborhood Association winter meeting|work=MLive.com|date=January 17, 2009}}</ref>
* Northwest Neighborhood<ref name="Neighborhood Associations"/>
* Sheridan Park<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/12/saginaw_pre-prom_hearing_on_mu.html|title=Verdict in Saginaw firebombing case delays murder hearing in related pre-prom homicide case|work=MLive.com|date=December 7, 2013}}</ref>
* The Woods<ref name="Devereaux">{{cite web |last=Devereaux |first=Brad |url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2013/10/in_saginaws_most_dangerous_nei.html |title=In Saginaw's most dangerous neighborhood, 'a lot of these kids don't have any hope,' police chief says |publisher=Mlive.com |date=October 9, 2013 |access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref>
* Adams Boulevard Area <ref>{{Cite web |title=City of Saginaw, Michigan |url=https://www.saginaw-mi.com/residents/neighborhood_associations/index.php |access-date=November 27, 2022 |website=www.saginaw-mi.com}}</ref>

===Climate===
Saginaw has a [[humid continental climate]] influenced by its inland position not on the shore of one of the Great Lakes of Michigan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=60457&cityname=Saginaw%2C+Michigan%2C+United+States+of+America&units=us|title=Climate summary for Saginaw|publisher=Weatherbase|access-date=November 2, 2015}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Saginaw, Michigan ([[MBS International Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals,<ref>Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.</ref> extremes 1898–present
|width=auto
|collapsed =
|single line= Y
|Jan record high F = 62
|Feb record high F = 74
|Mar record high F = 87
|Apr record high F = 88
|May record high F = 95
|Jun record high F = 104
|Jul record high F = 111
|Aug record high F = 103
|Sep record high F = 100
|Oct record high F = 91
|Nov record high F = 80
|Dec record high F = 67
|year record high F = 111
|Jan avg record high F = 49.0
|Feb avg record high F = 49.5
|Mar avg record high F = 65.9
|Apr avg record high F = 78.4
|May avg record high F = 86.6
|Jun avg record high F = 92.7
|Jul avg record high F = 92.6
|Aug avg record high F = 90.5
|Sep avg record high F = 88.1
|Oct avg record high F = 79.7
|Nov avg record high F = 64.7
|Dec avg record high F = 52.8
|year avg record high F = 95.0
|Jan high F = 29.5
|Feb high F = 31.8
|Mar high F = 42.3
|Apr high F = 55.8
|May high F = 68.6
|Jun high F = 78.5
|Jul high F = 82.2
|Aug high F = 80.0
|Sep high F = 73.3
|Oct high F = 60.2
|Nov high F = 46.2
|Dec high F = 34.7
|year high F = 56.9
|Jan mean F = 23.0
|Feb mean F = 24.5
|Mar mean F = 34.0
|Apr mean F = 45.9
|May mean F = 58.2
|Jun mean F = 68.1
|Jul mean F = 71.7
|Aug mean F = 69.7
|Sep mean F = 62.5
|Oct mean F = 50.8
|Nov mean F = 39.0
|Dec mean F = 28.9
|year mean F = 48.0
|Jan low F = 16.4
|Feb low F = 17.3
|Mar low F = 25.7
|Apr low F = 36.1
|May low F = 47.7
|Jun low F = 57.7
|Jul low F = 61.2
|Aug low F = 59.4
|Sep low F = 51.6
|Oct low F = 41.4
|Nov low F = 31.8
|Dec low F = 23.1
|year low F = 39.1
|Jan avg record low F = −2.5
|Feb avg record low F = −1.4
|Mar avg record low F = 7.0
|Apr avg record low F = 23.1
|May avg record low F = 34.0
|Jun avg record low F = 43.6
|Jul avg record low F = 49.9
|Aug avg record low F = 48.1
|Sep avg record low F = 37.5
|Oct avg record low F = 28.2
|Nov avg record low F = 16.9
|Dec avg record low F = 6.4
|year avg record low F = −6.0
|Jan record low F = −22
|Feb record low F = −23
|Mar record low F = −12
|Apr record low F = 8
|May record low F = 24
|Jun record low F = 33
|Jul record low F = 39
|Aug record low F = 37
|Sep record low F = 27
|Oct record low F = 19
|Nov record low F = −3
|Dec record low F = −12
|year record low F = -23
|precipitation color = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 1.92
|Feb precipitation inch = 1.77
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.02
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.19
|May precipitation inch = 3.41
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.28
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.83
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.85
|Sep precipitation inch = 2.81
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.91
|Nov precipitation inch = 2.28
|Dec precipitation inch = 1.85
|year precipitation inch = 32.12
|Jan snow inch = 13.9
|Feb snow inch = 11.4
|Mar snow inch = 6.0
|Apr snow inch = 2.4
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 3.3
|Dec snow inch = 11.8
|year snow inch = 49.0
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 12.6
|Feb precipitation days = 10.1
|Mar precipitation days = 10.1
|Apr precipitation days = 11.8
|May precipitation days = 12.0
|Jun precipitation days = 10.2
|Jul precipitation days = 9.9
|Aug precipitation days = 10.5
|Sep precipitation days = 9.7
|Oct precipitation days = 12.0
|Nov precipitation days = 11.5
|Dec precipitation days = 12.2
|year precipitation days = 132.6
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 10.9
|Feb snow days = 8.4
|Mar snow days = 5.0
|Apr snow days = 1.9
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 2.9
|Dec snow days = 8.8
|year snow days = 38.2

|Jan snow depth inch = 8.5
|Feb snow depth inch = 7.9
|Mar snow depth inch = 6.0
|Apr snow depth inch = 1.2
|May snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jun snow depth inch = 0.0
|Jul snow depth inch = 0.0
|Aug snow depth inch = 0.0
|Sep snow depth inch = 0.0
|Oct snow depth inch = 0.1
|Nov snow depth inch = 1.8
|Dec snow depth inch = 5.0
|year snow depth inch = 11.7

|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData DTX">{{cite web|url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=dtx |title=NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data| publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration| access-date=May 8, 2021
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014845&format=pdf |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title=Station: Saginaw MBS INTL AP, MI |access-date=May 8, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 1699
|1870= 7460
|1880= 10525
|1890= 46322
|1900= 42345
|1910= 50510
|1920= 61903
|1930= 80715
|1940= 82794
|1950= 92918
|1960= 98265
|1970= 91849
|1980= 77508
|1990= 69512
|2000= 61799
|2010= 51508
|2020= 44202
|estyear= 2023
|estimate= 43185
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census/decade.html|title=Decennial Census of Population and Housing by Decades|publisher=[[US Census Bureau]]|access-date=}}</ref><br> 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2/> 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2/>
}}

Saginaw is the largest principal city of the [[Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City metropolitan area|Saginaw-Midland-Bay City, MI CSA]], a [[Combined Statistical Area]] that includes the [[Saginaw County, Michigan|Saginaw-Saginaw Township North]] (Saginaw County), [[Midland County, Michigan|Midland]] ([[Midland County, Michigan|Midland County]]), and [[Bay County, Michigan|Bay City]] ([[Bay County, Michigan|Bay County]]) metropolitan areas,<ref>[https://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/List4.txt Metropolitan Statistical Areas and Components] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526063716/http://www.census.gov/population/www/estimates/metro_general/2006/List4.txt |date=May 26, 2007 }}, [[Office of Management and Budget]], May 11, 2007. Accessed August 1, 2008.</ref><ref>[https://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2011/tables/CBSA-EST2011-02.csv Combined Statistical Areas and Component Core Based Statistical Areas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117113128/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/metro/totals/2011/tables/CBSA-EST2011-02.csv |date=January 17, 2013 }}, [[Office of Management and Budget]], May 11, 2007. Accessed September 25, 2012.</ref> which had a combined population of 377,474 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"  style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Saginaw, Michigan – Racial and Ethnic Composition'''<br> (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Saginaw city, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALSF12000.P004?g=1600000US2670520|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Saginaw city, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2670520&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Saginaw city, Michigan|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US2670520&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|26,372
|19,310
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15,227
|42.67%
|37.49%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |34.45%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|26,440
|23,127
|style='background: #ffffe6; |19,176
|42.78%
|44.90%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |43.38%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|224
|180
|style='background: #ffffe6; |120
|0.36%
|0.35%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.27%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|197
|145
|style='background: #ffffe6; |184
|0.32%
|0.28%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.42%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|6
|10
|style='background: #ffffe6; |17
|0.01%
|0.02%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Some Other Race]] alone (NH)
|116
|72
|style='background: #ffffe6; |271
|0.19%
|0.14%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.61%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed Race/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|1,185
|1,320
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,219
|1.92%
|2.56%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.02%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|7,259
|7,344
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6,988
|11.75%
|14.26%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |15.81%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''61,799'''
|'''51,508'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''44,202'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

===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=November 25, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 51,508 people, 19,799 households, and 12,252 families residing in the city (excludes townships). The [[population density]] was {{convert|2970.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 23,574 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1359.5|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 46.1% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 43.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.3% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 5.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 4.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 14.3% of the population.

There were 19,799 households, of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 26.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 28.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.1% were non-families. 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.19.

The median age in the city was 33.5 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 10.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 61,799 people, 23,182 households, and 15,114 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|3,542.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|adj=off}}. There were 25,639 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,469.9|/sqmi|/km2|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city (excluding townships) was 47.02% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 43.26% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.49% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.33% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 5.86% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.03% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 11.75% of the population.

There were 23,182 households, out of which 35.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 27.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.8% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.23.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 18.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,485, and the median income for a family was $29,945. Males had a median income of $31,614 versus $22,714 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,816. About 24.7% of families and 28.5% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 40.2% of those under age 18 and 16.3% of those age 65 and over.

==Economy==
During much of the 20th century, Saginaw's economy was dominated by manufacturing related to the automotive industry; most notably, manual transmission assemblies, steering gear boxes and power steering pumps. At the height of manufacturing in the 1960s and 1970s, the city and neighboring Buena Vista Township hosted 12 [[General Motors]] plants, an [[Eaton Corporation|Eaton Manufacturing]] plant (demolished 2008) where 5,000 people produced auto parts,<ref name=White-Shirouzo-Nexteer-2012>{{cite news|last=White|first=Joseph B.|title=In the Heart of the Rust Belt, Chinese Funds Provide the Grease|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203735304577163741272699930|access-date=May 13, 2013|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=February 11, 2012}}</ref> and numerous smaller concerns.

The General Motors plants in the county were:
* The original Jackson-Wilcox factory on Saginaw's North Hamilton (ca. 1906), later '''Saginaw Steering Gear Plant 1''', closed 1984,<ref name=APwire-NodularClosingAnnounced>{{cite news|title=GM TO CLOSE FOUNDRY IN MICHIGAN, CUT MOST JOBS AT NEW YORK FOUNDRY PRECEDE SAGINAW|url=https://apnews.com/480e1222868a203b7fe39fae8445e3c3|access-date=May 12, 2013|newspaper=Associated Press|date=August 6, 1986}}</ref> sold by GM in 1987 to Thomson Industries, still operating as of 2009.<ref name=ThomsonAero-AboutUs>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=http://www.thomsonaerospace.com/about-us/|publisher=Thomson Aerospace and Defense|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref>
* '''Chevrolet Saginaw Parts''' at Sixth and Washington on Saginaw's East Side, built in 1906 as the assembly plant of the [[Rainier Motor Car Company]], acquired by GM in 1907. Closed 1983, demolished 1984.<ref name=CleanupTrustfund-SN>{{cite news|last=Lynch-Morin|first=Kathryn|title=Trust fund to pay for cleaning old GM sites, including Saginaw|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2010/05/trust_fund_to_pay_for_cleaning.html|access-date=May 13, 2013|newspaper=The Saginaw News|date=May 18, 2010}}</ref>
* '''Saginaw Malleable Iron''' on the Southwest Side (1917). Contracted to build gear housings for GM's Jacox division (the former Jackson Wilcox company, later Saginaw Steering Gear), sold to GM in 1919, later part of Saginaw Products Division, reorganized into a new Central Foundry Division in 1946.<ref name=Bowman-CentralFoundry>{{cite web|last=Bowman|first=Bill|title=Central Foundry Division|url=http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/Central_Foundry_Division|publisher=GM Heritage Center|access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> Closed May 2007,<ref name=EngleMalleable2010>{{cite news|last=Engel|first=Justin|title=Leaders ponder Saginaw Malleable foundry's fate|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2010/01/leaders_ponder_saginaw_malleab.html|access-date=May 12, 2013|newspaper=The Saginaw News|date=January 24, 2010}}</ref> razed in 2010 and for sale as of May 2013 by the [[RACER Trust]], charged with disposing of abandoned GM properties.
* '''Chevrolet Grey Iron''', on the North Side of Saginaw, opened as Central Foundry in 1918, operated by Chevrolet Division 1927–1983, thereafter by GM Powertrain Division. Operating today as '''Saginaw Metal Casting Operations''',<ref name=SMCOtimeline-2009>{{cite news|last=McFarland|first=Jodi|title=Saginaw Metal Castings Operations timeline|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2009/06/saginaw_metal_castings_operati.html|access-date=May 12, 2013|newspaper=The Saginaw News|date=June 1, 2009}}</ref> the only GM manufacturing division still operating in Saginaw County.
* '''Chevrolet Saginaw Transmission''' on East Genesee in Saginaw, built 1919–20 for the Michigan Crankshaft Company, acquired by GM in 1921 and placed under Saginaw Products. Transferred to Chevrolet upon the dissolution of the Crankshaft Division (ca. 1927). Home of the Saginaw 3-speed and 4-speed manual transmissions. Transferred to the [[Delco Moraine]] Division in 1984, which became [[Delphi Automotive]] in 1995. After 2007, leased and later purchased outright by [[TRW Automotive]], operating as '''TRW Braking and Suspension'''<ref name=TRWaboutus>{{cite web|title=Our Location [sic]|url=http://www.trw.com/AboutTRW/locations|publisher=TRW Automotive Holdings|access-date=May 13, 2013}}</ref> until closing in February 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=TRW confirms plans to close Saginaw plant in mid-February|date=December 18, 2013|url=http://www.mlive.com/business/mid-michigan/index.ssf/2013/12/trw_to_close_saginaw_plant_in.html|publisher=Mlive.com|access-date=January 3, 2014}}</ref>
* '''Saginaw Steering Gear Plant 2''', the "Gun Plant" (see below) adjacent to Malleable Iron; opened March 1941, closed July 2001, razed 2002.<ref name=SSG2reunion-2012>{{cite news|last=Roesner|first=Joshua|title=Saginaw Steering Gear Plant{{nbsp}}2 lives on as former employees gather more than a decade after factory razed|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/12/saginaw_steering_gear_plant_2.html|access-date=May 12, 2013|newspaper=Saginaw News|date=December 26, 2012}}</ref> For sale by RACER Trust as of May 2013.
* The 400-acre '''Saginaw Steering Gear''' complex in Buena Vista Township. Plant{{nbsp}}3 opened 1953 next to the then-new US-23 bypass, adding Plants 4, 5 and{{nbsp}}6 by 1966 and a seventh shortly thereafter. Later known as Saginaw Division, then part of Delphi, sold in 2010 to Nexteer Corporation,<ref name=White-Shirouzo-Nexteer-2012 /> is supplying GM, Ford and Chrysler as of 2013.<ref name=TriCitiesTerrific>{{cite news|last=Roush|first=Matt|title=Tech Tour Day Five: Tri-Cities Terrific|url=http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/04/30/tech-tour-day-five-tri-cities-terrific/|access-date=May 12, 2013|newspaper=WWJ News 62|date=April 30, 2013}}</ref>
* '''Chevrolet Nodular Iron''' in Buena Vista Township, built 1964–1965, entered production 1967, announced for closure 1986, closed 1988; since demolished.<ref name=APwire-NodularClosingAnnounced /><ref name=Nodular-brochure1976>{{cite web|title=Chevrolet Nodular Iron Casting Plant|url=http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/historical-brochures/Chevrolet_History/Chev_Nodular_Iron_Casting_Plant.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222131049/http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/docs/gm-heritage-archive/historical-brochures/Chevrolet_History/Chev_Nodular_Iron_Casting_Plant.pdf |archive-date=February 22, 2014 |url-status=live|work=(brochure, ca. 1976)|publisher=Chevrolet Motor Division|access-date=May 12, 2013}}</ref> Property for sale by RACER Trust as of May 2013.

The Saginaw metropolitan area's main shopping district is located in neighboring Saginaw Township along [[M-84 (Michigan highway)|Bay Road]] and Tittabawassee Road north of town, where several [[Big-box store|big box]] stores and regional restaurant chains can be found. Also in the same area is [[Fashion Square Mall]], a regional [[shopping mall]] anchored by [[JCPenney]] and [[Macy's]]. Primary areas within the city of Saginaw for consumer shopping include Old Town and downtown.

==Arts and culture==
[[File:Hoyt Public Library in Saginaw.png|thumb|The [[Hoyt Library|Hoyt Public Library]], pictured here in June 2006, was built in 1887 by [[Henry Van Brunt#Van Brunt & Howe|Van Brunt & Howe]] of Boston.]]
Saginaw's entertainment hub can be found in the downtown area, where venues such as [[The Dow Event Center]] and the restored [[Temple Theatre (Saginaw, Michigan)|Temple Theatre]] offer live entertainment. The Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra and Saginaw Choral Society are housed in the Temple and each of these organizations performs a full concert series annually at the Temple venue. The Saginaw Historical Society is also located downtown in an elaborate castle. Nearby, the Saginaw Art Museum boasts an impressive permanent collection and recently underwent a massive renovation. The Celebration Square area of downtown boasts an authentic Japanese Tea House, the only one of its kind in Michigan. The Andersen Enrichment Center and Rose Gardens are another attraction in Celebration Square offering ongoing art exhibits, a summer jazz concert series, and winter and summer art fairs. Numerous other arts and cultural organizations serve the community including the Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission, Eddy Band, Holidays in the Heart of the City, River Junction Poets, Theodore Roethke House of Poetry, Riverside Film Festival, Lawn Chair Film Festival, Friday Night Live Concerts, River Junction Poets and Saginaw Area Watercolor Society. The Dow Event Center is home to the city's junior [[ice hockey]] team, the [[Saginaw Spirit]] of the [[Ontario Hockey League]] as well as the [[Saginaw Sting]], an [[Indoor American football|indoor football]] team.

[[File:Former Castle Station post office- Saginaw Michigan.png|thumb|right|The former East Saginaw Post Office, pictured here in June 2006, is now the site of the [[Castle Museum (Saginaw)|Castle Museum of Saginaw County History]] and is also listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].]]
Downtown Saginaw has undergone a resurgence with locally-owned restaurants and coffee shops dotting the area. The downtown Saginaw area contains several office buildings from the late 19th century and early 20th century. They are located near the Saginaw Club, a social club founded in 1889. In December 2016 "The Gallery: Art For Saginaw" opened in the newly redeveloped downtown. At roughly 5,000 square feet it is one of the largest public art galleries in Michigan. The Downtown Farmer's Market offers Michigan produce, flowers, and baked goods from local bakeries and will be moving to an indoor permanent location in 2017. Downtown is not to be confused with the Old Town/West Side City area located on the other side of the river and about one mile (1.6&nbsp;km) southwest. Old Town has many popular bars, locally owned restaurants, and businesses. The city's roster of local arts organizations includes Pit and Balcony, one of the oldest continuously operating community theaters in the United States, founded in 1932.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pitandbalconytheatre.com/|title=Pit & Balcony Theatre—Home|work=pitandbalconytheatre.com}}</ref>

===Parks and museums===
[[File:BlissParkSaginawMI.JPG|thumb|Bliss Park, July 2010]]
The [[Castle Museum (Saginaw, Michigan)|Castle Museum of Saginaw County History]] is an important and prominent museum in downtown Saginaw. The museum is housed in a former post office which was built to resemble a castle, and pays homage to the historical French heritage of the area. With more than 100,000 artifacts in its collection, the Historical Society of Saginaw County displays items from their collection as well as those of traveling exhibits.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.castlemuseum.org/|title=The Castle Museum of Saginaw County History|website=The Castle Museum}}</ref>

The Andersen Enrichment Center and Lucille E. Andersen Memorial Rose Garden are part of Saginaw's park system. The facility is used to host private and public events throughout the year. These events include Hollyday Art Fair, Art & Garden Festival, the SAWA Fall Watercolor Exhibition, Jazz in the Rose Garden and Art @ the Andersen<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/saginaw/index.ssf/2009/12/post_2.html |title=Hollyday Art Fair at the Anderson Enrichment Center |date=December 2, 2009 |access-date=December 14, 2009}}</ref> and a World AIDS Day service<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/living/bay-city/index.ssf/2009/11/world_aids_day_event_is_tuesda.html |title=World Aids Day event is Tuesday |date=November 27, 2009 |publisher=Mlive.com | access-date=December 14, 2009}}</ref> The garden includes a fountain with a sculpture by [[Marshall Fredericks]].

The Saginaw Art Museum hosts temporary exhibitions and permanent collections. The museum also houses The John and Michele Bueker Research Library and Archives of Michigan Art. The museum originated as the home of C.L. Ring who commissioned [[Charles A. Platt]] to design the house and gardens. The museum opened to the public in 1948. The museum is a [[Smithsonian Institution]] affiliate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://affiliations.si.edu/AffiliateDetail.Asp?AffiliateID=181 | title=Smithsonian Affiliations | access-date=December 24, 2009}}</ref>

Saginaw is home to a Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House and Garden, as a result of its 52-year Sister-City relationship with Tokushima, Japan. The Garden was completed in 1971. The Tea House, known as Saginaw Awa An, completed in 1986, is considered to be one of the ten most authentic Tea Houses outside the country of Japan. The site is open from April through October and offers traditional tea ceremonies by appointment, and on the second Saturday of each month. Each year in September a Japan Festival is held in the garden, featuring authentic Japanese singers, dancers, and performers, and offering demonstrations of Japanese Culture to those in attendance, including flower arranging, calligraphy, origami, and authentic Japanese cuisine, such as sushi and other dishes.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

The city is also home to the [[Theodore Roethke]] Home Museum, a National Literary Landmark. The museum honors one of America's greatest 20th-century poets, who was born and raised in Saginaw.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Theodore Roethke |url=https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/theodore-roethke |access-date=March 6, 2025 |website=The Poetry Foundation}}</ref>

Ojibway Island in the [[Saginaw River]] is home to Rust Park and the Ojibway Island City Park Amphitheater.

===Sports===
[[File:Dow Event Center - Interior.JPG|thumb|The [[Saginaw Spirit]] play the [[Guelph Storm]] at the [[Dow Event Center]] during an [[Ontario Hockey League]] game, January 2016]]
The Saginaw area is home to a major junior hockey team, a minor league basketball team, and one [[NCAA]] Division-II school that has various sports programs. 

The [[Saginaw Spirit]] is an [[Ontario Hockey League]] team that became nationally known when television personality [[Stephen Colbert]] promoted the team on his show, ''[[The Colbert Report]]''.<ref name="spirit-tstar">{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/article/177061 |title=The Steagle has landed |newspaper=Toronto Star |author=Sunaya Sapurji |date=February 1, 2007 |access-date=November 26, 2007}}</ref> The Spirit hosted and won the [[2024 Memorial Cup]]. 

[[Saginaw Sting]] was an [[Indoor American football|indoor football]] team that formed in 2007 to play in Saginaw beginning in the 2008 season and is currently on hiatus.<ref name="sting-weyi">{{cite web |url=http://www.weyi.com/sports/sports_story.aspx?id=63899 |title=Saginaw feels the Sting |publisher=[[WEYI-TV]] |access-date=November 26, 2007}}</ref> 

The [[Saginaw Soul]] are a [[Basketball Super League (North America)|Basketball Super League]] team that will begin play in 2025.<ref name="z837">{{cite web | last=Sevilla | first=Dominic | title=Saginaw Soul bringing pro basketball to the region as part of the BSL | website=Midland Daily News | date=April 10, 2025 | url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/saginaw-soul-bringing-pro-basketball-region-part-20267361.php | access-date=April 10, 2025}}</ref>

At the collegiate level, [[Saginaw Valley State University]] competes in numerous sports such as [[American Football]], [[Basketball]], and [[Volleyball]].<ref name="svsu-athletics">{{cite web |url=http://www.svsu.edu/athletics/home.html |title=Athletics home |access-date=November 26, 2007}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Team
!Sport
!League
!Year founded
!Venue
|-
|[[Saginaw Spirit]]
|[[Ice hockey]]
|[[Ontario Hockey League]]
|2002
|[[Dow Event Center]]
|-
|[[Saginaw Soul]]
|[[Basketball]]
|[[Basketball Super League (North America)|Basketball Super League]]
|2025
|TBA
|-
|[[Saginaw Valley State University]]
|Various
|[[Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference]]
|1963
|[[SVSU Campus]]
|}

==Government==
{{Main|Government of Saginaw, Michigan}} {{see also|List of mayors of Saginaw, Michigan}}
[[File:Saginaw City Hall.png|thumb|Saginaw City Hall]]
Saginaw is classified as a Home Rule City under the Michigan [[Home Rule Cities Act (Michigan)|Home Rule Cities Act]] adopting its own [[City Charter]] giving its city a council-manager form of government. The present Charter was adopted in 1935 and took effect on January 6, 1936. Pursuant to the City Charter, Saginaw is governed by a nine-member elected [[at-large]] Council. The term of office for a member of the [[City Council]] is four years commencing with the first meeting following a regular municipal election. The terms are staggered so the entire Council is not subject to re-election at the same time—either four or five members are elected in each odd-numbered year. The city levies an income tax of 1.5 percent on residents and 0.75 percent on nonresidents.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gibbons|first1=Lauren|title=Michigan State University, city of East Lansing at odds over proposed income tax|url=http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/michigan_state_university_city.html |access-date=August 16, 2017 |work=MLive Lansing |publisher=Mlive Media Group |date=August 16, 2017}}</ref>

==Education==

===Primary and secondary schools===
{{See also|List of schools in Saginaw, Michigan}}
[[File:Michigan Lutheran Seminary front 1a.jpg|thumb|[[Michigan Lutheran Seminary]], the only private high school in Saginaw]]
The city of Saginaw is served by the Saginaw Public School District, also known as SPSD. The Saginaw Public School District operates twelve elementary schools, two combined elementary/middle schools, two middle schools, one combined middle/high school, and one high school. The district is governed by a seven-member elected board of education. The board selects a [[Superintendent (education)|superintendent]] for the district. The current superintendent is Mr. Nathan Mcclain.<ref name="spsdbuildings">{{cite web |url=http://www.spsd.net/ourschools/schools.htm |title=Our Schools |access-date=January 17, 2013}}</ref> The two public high schools in Saginaw are [[Saginaw United High School]] and the [[Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy]]. [[Michigan Lutheran Seminary]] is the lone private high school in the city. Charter schools in the city are Saginaw Learn to Earn Academy, North Saginaw Charter Academy, Francis Reh Academy, Saginaw Prep schools, and the International Academy of Saginaw.

===Higher education===
Saginaw is served by [[Delta College (Michigan)|Delta College]] and [[Saginaw Valley State University]], which are located in nearby [[University Center, Michigan|University Center]], Michigan. [[Central Michigan University]] maintains an off-campus center inside the city that offers numerous degree programs. Delta College built a downtown satellite facility that opened in the fall of 2019.

==Media==
===Television stations===
Saginaw is part of [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen's]] Flint-Saginaw-Bay City-Midland [[Designated Market Area]] which is the 66th largest market in the United States for Television Viewers.<ref name="nielsen">{{cite web |url=http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/nmr_static/docs/2007-2008_DMA_Ranks.xls |title=Sampling the Population |access-date=November 26, 2007 |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927200433/http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/nmr_static/docs/2007-2008_DMA_Ranks.xls |url-status=dead }}</ref> Saginaw is the home of CBS affiliate [[WNEM-TV|WNEM]] which maintains its studios and offices inside the city though its license is for Bay City, MI.<ref name="fcc-wnem">{{cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=41221 |title=Station Details—WNEM |access-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> ABC affiliate [[WJRT]] maintains its offices and newsrooms in Saginaw while its studios are in its community of license, [[Flint, MI|Flint]].<ref name="fcc-wjrt">{{cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=21735 |title=Station Details—WJRT |access-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> Only NBC affiliate [[WEYI-TV|WEYI]] and Christian station [[WAQP]] have the City of Saginaw as their city of record but both maintain their facilities outside of the city.<ref name="fcc-weyi">{{cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=72052 |title=Station Details—WEYI |access-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref><ref name="fcc-waqp">{{cite web |url=http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/sta_det.pl?Facility_id=67792 |title=Station Details—WAQP |access-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> [[Charter Communications]] operates a [[cable television]] network servicing the City of Saginaw under a franchise agreement.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="6"|[[Television station]]s in the Saginaw, Michigan area (''Ascending order'')
|-
! Channel !! Call letters !! Description !! Comments
|-
|5 || [[WNEM-TV]] || [[CBS]] [[Network affiliate|affiliate]] || Licensed to Bay City; studios in Saginaw
|-
| 12 || [[WJRT-TV]] ||[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] affiliate || Based and licensed in Flint
|-
| 19 || [[WDCQ-TV]] ||[[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] member station || Licensed to [[Bad Axe, Michigan|Bad Axe]]; studios at [[Delta College (Michigan)|Delta College]] in [[University Center, Michigan|University Center]]
|-
| 24 || [[W24DL-D]] ||[[3ABN]] affiliate || Based and licensed in Saginaw; programmed via satellite
|-
| 25 || [[WEYI-TV]] ||[[NBC]] affiliate || Licensed to Saginaw; studios in [[Clio, Michigan|Clio]]
|-
| 46 || [[WBSF]] ||[[The CW Television Network|CW]] affiliate|| Licensed to Bay City; studios in Clio
|-
| 49 || [[WAQP]] ||[[Tri-State Christian Television|TCT]] [[Owned-and-operated station|O&O]] affiliate|| Based and licensed in Saginaw
|-
| 66 || [[WSMH]] ||[[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate || Based and licensed in Flint
|}

===Radio stations===
Saginaw and Saginaw Township are home to the three major radio station clusters serving the [[Tri-Cities (Michigan)|Greater Tri Cities]]. Those include family owned and Saginaw-headquartered [[MacDonald Broadcasting]], and corporate broadcasters [[Alpha Media]] and [[Cumulus Media]]. Radio stations licensed within the immediate Saginaw area are listed. Many locations in the City of Saginaw also receive stations from Bay City, Midland, Flint, and Lansing.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="6"|[[AM radio]] stations
|-
!Frequency!!Call sign!!Name!!Format!!Owner!!City
|-
|790 AM||[[WSGW (AM)|WSGW]]||Newsradio 790||[[News/Talk]]||[[Alpha Media]]||Saginaw
|-
|1250 AM||[[WJMK (AM)|WJMK]]||MeTV FM||[[Oldies music|Oldies]]||Northern States Broadcasting Corporation||[[Bridgeport, Michigan|Bridgeport]]
|-
|1400 AM||[[WSAM]]||The Bay 1400 AM and 104FM||[[Adult Contemporary]]||[[MacDonald Broadcasting]]||Saginaw
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="text-align:center;" colspan="6"|[[FM radio]] stations
|-
!Frequency!!Call sign!!Name!!Format!!Owner!!City
|-
|90.9 FM||[[WTRK]]||[[Air 1]]||[[Contemporary Christian]]||[[Educational Media Foundation]]||[[Freeland, Michigan|Freeland]]
|-
|93.3 FM||[[WKQZ]]||The Rock Station, Z93||[[Modern rock]]||[[Cumulus Media]]||[[Midland, Michigan|Midland]]; studios in Saginaw
|-
|93.7 FM||[[WRCL]]||Club 93.7||[[Rhythmic contemporary]]||[[Townsquare Media]]||[[Frankenmuth, Michigan|Frankenmuth]]; studios in [[Burton, Michigan|Burton]]
|-
|94.5 FM||[[WCEN-FM]]||94.5 The Moose||[[Country music]]||Alpha Media||[[Hemlock, Michigan|Hemlock]]; studios in Saginaw
|-
|96.1 FM||[[WHNN]]|| My 96.1||[[Adult Contemporary]]||Cumulus Media||Bay City; studios in Saginaw
|-
|98.1 FM||[[WKCQ]]||98.1 KCQ||[[Country music]]||MacDonald Broadcasting||Saginaw
|-
|100.5 FM||[[WSGW-FM]]||FM Talk 100.5||[[News/Talk]]||Alpha Media||[[Carrollton, Michigan|Carrollton]]; studios in Saginaw
|-
|102.5 FM||[[WIOG]]||The Hit Music Channel||[[Contemporary hits]]||Cumulus Media||Bay City; studios in Saginaw
|-
|104.5 FM||[[WILZ]]||Wheelz 104.5||[[Classic rock]]||Cumulus Media||Saginaw
|-
|106.3 FM||[[WGER]]||106.3 The Core||[[Modern rock]]||Alpha Media||Saginaw
|-
|107.1 FM||[[WTLZ]]||KISS 107.1||[[Urban adult contemporary]]||Alpha Media||Saginaw
|}

===Newspapers===
* ''The [[Saginaw News]]''—Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
* ''Review Magazine''—<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://review-mag.com/home1.htm |title=Home : Current Issue : Review Magazine |access-date=July 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100713054521/http://review-mag.com/home1.htm |archive-date=July 13, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> biweekly
* ''The Saginaw Press''—weekly
* ''The Township Times''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.twptimes.com|title=The Township Times—Saginaw MI}}</ref>—weekly
* ''The Township View''—weekly

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
[[File:Flint & Pere Marquette Union Station, East Saginaw, Michigan.jpg|thumb|The abandoned [[Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad East Saginaw Depot]]]]

Historically, ships were able to move along the length of the river inside the city, but fixed bridges built over the river closed access south of the northern docks.

Saginaw was a railroad hub to the [[Pere Marquette Railway]]. Freight and passenger routes radiated to [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]] to the north, [[Port Huron]] to the east, [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledo]] to the south, [[Grand Rapids]] and [[Chicago]] to the southwest and [[Ludington, Michigan|Ludington]] to the west.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.r2parks.net/pmmap.JPG|title=System route map|access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref><ref>[http://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_Official_Rail_130897_7.pdf Michigan Department of Transportation official rail map]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://railfanguides.us/mi/saginaw/index.htm|title=Saginaw MI Railfan Guide|website=railfanguides.us}}</ref> [[Grand Trunk Railroad]] ran trains from Bay City through Saginaw to Durand, for connections to Chicago, Detroit, Port Huron and Toronto.<ref>''Official Guide of the Railways,'' 1949, Canadian National/Grand Trunk timetables, Tables 95, 146</ref> Most passenger routes were discontinued during the 1950s. The last route to [[Flint and Pere Marquette Railroad East Saginaw Depot|Potter Street Station]] was in 1950. The station was designated a historic site in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://potterstreetstation.com/history/|title=全球赢家信心指选|website=potterstreetstation.com}}</ref> The last [[New York Central Railroad]] train (formerly [[Michigan Central Railroad]]) departed the Genesee Street Station bound for Detroit in 1964. Today, Saginaw hosts the headquarters of the Lake State Railway who continues to operate trains out of the massive former Pere Marquette Saginaw Yard to destinations that include Midland, Bay City, and Plymouth. The [[Huron and Eastern Railway]] operates the former GTW mainline through the city, which intersects with Lake State's Midland Line at Mershon Junction. HESR also operates several lines east into the thumb region towards Vassar and Reese. The Mid-Michigan Railroad plays a bit part in the region as well, interchanging with Lake State at Paines, west of the city. The Saginaw Railway Museum, located on the west side of the city, continues to work towards the preservation of the Saginaw Bay area's railroading history.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Historical Society|url=http://www.saginawrailwaymuseum.org/|access-date=January 18, 2021|website=www.saginawrailwaymuseum.org}}</ref>

Saginaw is served primarily by two airports: [[MBS International Airport]], located in nearby [[Freeland, Michigan|Freeland]], and [[Bishop International Airport]], located in [[Flint, Michigan|Flint]]. Saginaw is also served by three smaller airports: [[Saginaw County H.W. Browne Airport|Harry W. Browne Airport]] in adjacent [[Buena Vista Charter Township, Michigan|Buena Vista Township]], [[James Clements Municipal Airport]] in [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]], and [[Jack Barstow Municipal Airport]] in [[Midland, Michigan|Midland]].

[[Interstate 75 in Michigan|Interstate 75]] (I-75) serves as the main arterial route for the Saginaw area while [[Interstate 675 (Michigan)|I-675]] provides direct access to the center of the city from I-75. [[Interstate 69 in Michigan|I-69]] is a nearby east–west corridor providing access to the rest of the Midwestern United States and [[Canada]]. The [[Saginaw River]] runs through the middle of the city and provides access to [[Saginaw Bay]] and the rest of the [[Great Lakes]] via docks on the northern side of the city.

In the city and surrounding areas, [[mass transit]] is provided by bus under the authority of the [[Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services]] (STARS) system.<ref name="stars-mlive">{{cite web |url=http://blog.mlive.com/saginawnews/2007/11/stars_tax_rides_to_victory.html |title=STARS tax rides to victory |last=Engel |first=Justin |date=November 7, 2007 |publisher=The Saginaw News |access-date=November 26, 2007}}</ref> The STARS system connects to Bay City's Bus system at Saginaw Valley State University.

Intercity Bus Service is Provided by [[Indian Trails]], which operates a bus station on the east side of the river.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

====Major highways====
* {{jct|state=MI|I|75}} passes along the eastern side of the city through [[Buena Vista Charter Township, Michigan|Buena Vista Charter Township]].
* {{jct|state=MI|I|675}} provides a short freeway loop through downtown Saginaw and back to I-75 through [[Saginaw Charter Township, Michigan|Saginaw Charter Township]].
* {{jct|state=MI|M|13}} runs from I-69 through downtown Saginaw and north to [[Standish, Michigan|Standish]].
* {{jct|state=MI|M|46}} is a cross-peninsular road, running across the mitten and the thumb—from [[Port Sanilac, Michigan|Port Sanilac]] on the [[Lake Huron]] shore, through Saginaw, and then on to [[Muskegon, Michigan|Muskegon]] on the [[Lake Michigan]] shore.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m46/|title=M-46 Endpoint Photos.|work=state-ends.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050414190154/http://www.state-ends.com/michigan/m46/|archive-date=April 14, 2005}}</ref> This east–west surface route nearly bisects the Lower Peninsula of Michigan latitudinally.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|47}} passes through the western suburbs and provides a direct connection to [[MBS International Airport]].
* {{jct|state=MI|M|52}} runs from the [[Ohio]] border through [[Adrian, Michigan|Adrian]] and [[Owosso, Michigan|Owosso]] before ending at [[M-46 (Michigan highway)|M-46]], in the western suburbs of Saginaw. M-52 also provides an alternate connection to [[Lansing, Michigan|Lansing]], Michigan's state capitol.
* {{jct|state=MI|M|58}} runs from [[M-47 (Michigan highway)|M-47]] to [[Interstate 675 (Michigan)|I-675]].
* {{jct|state=MI|M|81}} runs east from [[M-13 (Michigan highway)|M-13]] to [[Caro, Michigan|Caro]] and [[Cass City, Michigan|Cass City]] and ends at [[M-53 (Michigan highway)|M-53]] in [[Sanilac County, Michigan|Sanilac County]].
* {{jct|state=MI|M|84}} runs from downtown [[Bay City, Michigan|Bay City]] to [[M-58 (Michigan highway)|M-58]] in Saginaw.

===Utilities===
[[File:Saginaw Water Treatment.png|thumb|The Saginaw water treatment facility, pictured here in June 2006, was constructed in 1929.]]
The City of Saginaw gets its electricity and natural gas from [[Consumers Energy]].

In 1929, the city opened its consolidated water works plant which replaced two separate plants that were on each side of the Saginaw river. This plant treated water brought in from the Saginaw river and piped it out to the residents as well as corner pumps for people that did not have direct connections to the system.<ref name="saginaw-water2001">{{cite web |url=http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/PublicServices/waterReport2001.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051224000550/http://www.saginaw-mi.com/Government/Departments/PublicServices/waterReport2001.pdf |archive-date=December 24, 2005 |url-status=live |title=Saginaw 2001 Water Report |access-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> Currently, the City of Saginaw jointly owns with the City of Midland the Saginaw-Midland Municipal Water Supply Corporation. Incorporated in 1946, this [[water treatment]] system has supplied drinking and industrial water to both cities and many surrounding areas within the county.<ref name="midland-muga">{{cite web |url=http://www.midland-mi.org/government/departments/planning/Planning/muga.htm |title=Planning & Community Development |access-date=November 27, 2007}}</ref> Due to brackish water in the aquifers below both cities, a {{convert|65|mi|km|0|adj=mid|-long}} pipeline was constructed in 1948 to supply water from [[Lake Huron]] at White Stone Point, north of [[Au Gres, Michigan|Au Gres]] to water treatment plants in Saginaw and Midland<ref name="saginaw-water2001" /> with a second pipe added by 1996. This system has played a role in the decline of the city. The City of Saginaw, in order to obtain new sources of revenue, sold water to areas outside of the city (especially to the [[Saginaw Charter Township]]). This caused numerous businesses inside the city to leave for the surrounding areas and development in the city to stagnate.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}} The City of Midland, however, adopted a policy of "No Annexation, No Water" which has led to the growth of the city as well as the surrounding areas.<ref name="midland-muga" />

===Healthcare===
Aleda E. Lutz Veterans Affairs Medical Center, located at 1500 Weiss, is a hospital serving America's Veterans overseen by the [[Veterans Health Administration]]. It has 100 staffed beds and sees 292,000 patients a year.<ref name="AHA Guide to the Health Care Field">{{cite book |title=AHA Guide to the Health Care Field |year=2013 |publisher=American Hospital Association |isbn=9780872589063}}</ref>

Covenant Medical Center, located at 1447 North Harrison, is a 623-bed hospital with [[inpatient]] and [[outpatient]] facilities including an [[emergency department]] that provides 95,000 visits per year and is the region's primary trauma center. Lifenet offers helicopter air ambulance services from the Covenant campus.

[[Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital|Mary Free Bed]] and Covenant HealthCare combined their expertise to establish Mary Free Bed at Covenant HealthCare, aiming to provide advanced rehabilitation services to the Great Lakes Bay Region. The collaboration leverages the strengths of both organizations to offer specialized care and state-of-the-art rehabilitation technology. The partnership became operational in 2018, later investing in the Saginaw community with a new $40.7M building in 2021.<ref>[http://www.covenanthealthcare.com/body.cfm?id=555555 About Covenant] from Covenant HealthCare homepage. Retrieved May 2012</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Covenant HealthCare's $40.7M Mary Free Bed facility to open this month |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2021/12/covenant-healthcares-407m-mary-free-bed-facility-to-open-this-month.html |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=mlive |language=en}}</ref>

It is the location for "CMU Medical Education Partners", which offers various [[Residency (medicine)|residency]] training programs.<ref>[http://www.synergymedical.org/index.html CMU Medical Education Partners homepage]. Retrieved May 2012</ref> It also offers walk-in clinics and facilities scattered throughout the county for outpatient surgery, breast cancer diagnosis, physical therapy, sports medicine and eye care.

MyMichigan Medical Center Saginaw, located at 800 South Washington, is a hospital with approximately 225 staffed beds and sees 168,000 patients a year.<ref name="AHA Guide to the Health Care Field"/> It treats trauma, heart disease, and cancer among other ailments, and opened its Ambulatory Care Center in Saginaw Township in 2000 featuring the county's first suburban emergency room.

==In popular culture==
* Saginaw is referred to in the [[Brian D'Arcy James]] song: "Michigan Christmas". Brian grew up in Saginaw, Michigan.<ref>{{Cite web|first1=Brian D'Arcy |last1=James|url=http://www.briandarcyjames.com/the-story-of-my-solo-album-michigan-christmas/|title=The story of my solo album "Michigan Christmas"|date=December 11, 2016 |access-date=February 26, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Bill Anderson (singer)|Bill Anderson]] and [[Don Wayne (songwriter)|Don Wayne]] wrote a song entitled "[[Saginaw, Michigan (song)|Saginaw, Michigan]]" which has been covered by a dozen artists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/18221.html|title=Second Hand songs, origins and covers of "Saginaw Michigan".|website=SecondHandSongs|access-date=August 23, 2017}}</ref> Cowboy singer [[Lefty Frizzell]] was the first to perform it, with his version reaching number one on the country charts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thelyricarchive.com/song/89665-11151/Saginaw%2C-Michigan |access-date=February 13, 2008 |title=Left Frizzell, Saginaw Michigan lyrics.}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-pYdGM8GEY| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422003533/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-pYdGM8GEY&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=April 22, 2020 | url-status=dead|title=YouTube|work=youtube.com}}</ref> It was also popularly performed by [[George Jones]].{{efn-ua|The song mis-situates the city on Saginaw Bay, about 15 miles to the north.}}
* Saginaw served as the destination point for the ''[[Seinfeld]]'' characters [[Cosmo Kramer|Kramer]] and [[Newman (Seinfeld)|Newman]] during an [[The Bottle Deposit (Seinfeld)|episode]] where the pair hatched a scheme to transport bottles and cans via a [[United States Postal Service]] mail truck from [[New York (state)|New York]] to [[Michigan]] to earn 10¢ per recycled item, as opposed to New York's 5¢.<ref name="imdb">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0697660/ |access-date=August 24, 2017 |title=The Bottle Deposit|website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
* In an episode of [[The CW Television Network]]'s television series, ''[[Supernatural (U.S. TV series)|Supernatural]]'', brothers Sam and Dean investigate a murder meant to look like a [[suicide]] in Saginaw.<ref name="imdb2">{{cite web |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0713616/ |access-date=August 24, 2017 |title=Supernatural Nightmare|website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref>
* "The Saginaw Song" is the title of a poem by [[Theodore Roethke]], a poet who was born in Saginaw in 1908.<ref name="mlive">{{cite web |url=http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/saginaw/index.ssf/2008/05/mayor_reads_the_saginaw_song_a.html |access-date=August 24, 2017 |title=Mayor reads "The Saginaw Song"|date=May 26, 2008 }}</ref>
* Saginaw and the Saginaw Valley was a center for songwriting. The well-known tunes "All of Me", "Toot Toot Tootsie", "It Had to Be You", "After the Ball", "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles", "Stand Up Stand Up for Jesus", and many others were either written or co-written by songwriters from Saginaw. More modern examples include "Only Women Bleed" and the catalog of Saginaw native Stevland Morris, aka [[Stevie Wonder]], [[Dick Wagner]], and [[Rudy Martinez]] ("[[96 Tears]]").<ref>"From Saginaw Valley to Tin Pan Alley: Saginaw's Contribution to American Music 1890–1955"</ref>
* The 1966 [[Paul Simon]] song "[[America (Simon & Garfunkel song)|America]]" includes the line, "It took me four days to hitch-hike from Saginaw". According to an article in ''[[Michigan Live]]'', Simon wrote the song when he was in the city.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/2010/12/anonymous_artist_explains_moti.html | title=Anonymous artist explains motive for Simon and Garfunkel lyrics appearing on abandoned buildings and elsewhere in Saginaw | date=December 19, 2010 }}</ref>

==Notable people==
{{Main|List of people from Saginaw, Michigan}}

==Sister cities==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2024}}
<!-- Please respect alphabetical order -->
* [[Amanokrom]], [[Akuapim North District]], Ghana
* [[Awka]], [[Anambra]], Nigeria
* [[Cambridge, Ontario|Cambridge]], [[Ontario]], Canada
* [[Tokushima, Tokushima|Tokushima]], [[Tokushima Prefecture]], Japan
* [[Zapopan]], [[Jalisco]], Mexico

==See also==
* [[Saginaw Trail]]

==Notes==

{{Reflist|group=upper-alpha}}

==References==

{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* Smith, R. Grant, (1998) From Saginaw Valley to Tin Pan Alley. Detroit, Michigan: [[Wayne State University Press]]

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Saginaw}}
* {{official website|http://www.saginaw-mi.com/}}

{{Saginaw County, Michigan}}
{{Central Michigan}}
{{Michigan}}
{{Michigan county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Saginaw, Michigan| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Saginaw County, Michigan]]
[[Category:County seats in Michigan]]
[[Category:Michigan placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1819 establishments in Michigan Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1819]]