Beecher, Michigan

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Beecher, Michigan
Beecher
Census-designated place (CDP) & Unincorporated community
Location of Beecher within Genesee County, Michigan
Location of Beecher within Genesee County, Michigan
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Country United States
State Michigan
County Genesee
Township Mount Morris
Government
 • Type Water & sewer district
Area
 • Total 5.9 sq mi (15.3 km2)
 • Land 5.9 sq mi (15.3 km2)
 • Water 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2)  0%
Elevation 801 ft (244 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 12,793
 • Density 2,159.8/sq mi (834.4/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 48458 (Mount Morris)
48504 (Flint),
48505 (Flint)
Area code(s) 810
FIPS code 26-06820[1]
GNIS feature ID 1616987[2]

Beecher is an unincorporated community in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan.[2] It is a census-designated place (CDP)[3] for statistical purposes and has no legal status as a municipality. The population was 12,793 at the 2000 census.

The CDP area is situated on the east side of Mount Morris Township where Interstate 475 turns westward between the cities of Flint and Mount Morris. A small portion is also in the southwest corner of Genesee Township.[4]

The name "Beecher" is used for a number of institutions covering some part of the census-designated place: Beecher Community School District, Beecher Fire Department and Beecher Metropolitan Water and Sewer District.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15 km2), all land. The southern part of the CDP is served by the Flint ZIP codes of 48504 and 48505.[5][6] The northern portion is served by the Mount Morris ZIP code 48458.[7]

Beecher Road also runs through Genesee County, but it lies mostly in Flint Township and Clayton Township and not Beecher itself.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 12,793 people, 4,476 households, and 3,280 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 2,159.8 per square mile (834.4/km²). There were 5,002 housing units at an average density of 844.5 per square mile (326.2/km²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 65.90% White, 28.01% Black or African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 3.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.96% of the population.

There were 4,476 households out of which 39.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% were married couples living together, 33.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.27.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 34.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 19.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $25,925, and the median income for a family was $26,500. Males had a median income of $29,150 versus $21,870 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $13,484. About 25.0% of families and 30.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 45.0% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.Due to the high school's mascot, the Buccaneers,The area is also known as Buc-town.

Beecher Tornado

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At about 8:30 pm, on Monday evening, June 8, 1953, a tornado touched down near the intersection of W. Coldwater and North Linden roads, just north of Flint. Before the storm left Genesee County, 116 people died in the Beecher district. A track of destruction Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). wide was left.

Most people living in the area were at home with the children in bed. By the time people heard the storm's roar their houses were being torn apart.

The slow moving tornado wrecked 340 houses, severely damaged many others and injured 844 persons. The major damage was concentrated between Clio Road & N. Dort Hwy. This area contained mostly small homes with some businesses and a high school.It is ranked the 10th deadliest tornado in U. S. history, being displaced from 9th position in spring 2011 by the Joplin, Missouri tornado.

Government

Beecher Fire Department

Mount Morris Township Fire Station 3
(Formerly Beecher Fire Department)
Agency overview
Established 1948
Employees 20
Fire chief Steve Richardson[8]
Commissioner Rick Johnson
(administrative Township Fire Chief)
Facilities and equipment
Stations 1[9]

The former Beecher Fire Department (now known as Mt. Morris Township Fire Station 3) is one of three stations in Mount Morris Township, Michigan. The station serves the Beecher area (5 square miles (13 km2) and population of 21000) within the Township.[9]

The Department was founded in 1948 and operated independently of the other two stations until recently.[specify]

Beecher Metropolitan Water and Sewer District

Beecher Metropolitan Water and Sewer District
Agency overview
Formed 1938
  • (etc.)
Type special district
Headquarters 1057 Louis Ave
Flint, Michigan 48505-1228
Employees 17
Ministers responsible
  • Leo McClain, Board President
  • John Miller, Corrine McFadden, Jackie Corlew and Sheila Thorn, Board members
Agency executive
  • vacant, administrator

The Beecher Metropolitan Water and Sewer District is a special district for water and sewer serving generally the same area as the Beecher Community School District with 4,500 homes. A District board of five elected members oversees operation.[10]

The District's source of water is underground wells.[10]

Heavy rains in April 2009 led to the District reporting 5,000 gallons spilling into the Hughes Drain, which drains into the Flint River.[11]

In August 2009, all members of the board were discovered to have taken a 19-day, $36,000 trip to San Diego, California, for a four-day American Water Works Association conference.[10] After the nonrenewal of the Administrator Richard Wurtz's contract, recall language was submitted to recall three of the five Board members: Leo McClain, Sheila Thorn and Jackie Corlew. The Genesee County Election Commission approved the language that included the reasons of misusing District funds and "for causing embarrassment to Beecher area residents".[12]

Notable people

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. 2.0 2.1 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Beecher, Michigan
  3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Beecher Census Designated Place
  4. Beecher CDP, Michigan - Reference Map - American FactFinder, U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 census
  5. 48504 5-Digit ZCTA, 485 3-Digit ZCTA - Reference Map - American FactFinder, U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 census
  6. 48505 5-Digit ZCTA, 485 3-Digit ZCTA - Reference Map - American FactFinder, U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 census
  7. 48458 5-Digit ZCTA, 484 3-Digit ZCTA - Reference Map - American FactFinder, U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 census
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