Beecher, Michigan

Beecher (or also, Beecher Metropolitan District) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,232 as of the 2010 census, down from 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. The eastern one-third of the CDP is in the western part of Genesee Township.

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 , of which , or 0.32%, is water. The southern part of the CDP is served by the Flint ZIP codes of 48504 and 48505. The northern portion is served by the Mount Morris ZIP code 48458.

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

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 12,793 people, 4,476 households, and 3,280 families residing in the CDP. The population density was . There were 5,002 housing units at an average density of . 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 schools' mascot, the Buccaneers, the area is also known as Buc-town.

Beecher tornado

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 wide was left.

The slow-moving tornado wrecked 340 houses, severely damaged many others, and injured 844 persons. The major damage was concentrated between Clio Road and N. Dort Highway. 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

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 ( and population of 21,000) within the Township.

The department was founded in 1948 and operated independently of the other two stations until recently.

Beecher Metropolitan Water and Sewer District

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. The district's source of water is underground wells.

The District was formed in 1938. Heavy rains in April 2009 led to the district reporting 5,000 gallons spilling into the Hughes Drain, which drains into the Flint River.

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. After the nonrenewal of administrator Richard Wurtz's contract, 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".

Schools

Notable people

* Carl Banks, linebacker for the New York Giants, Washington Redskins, and Cleveland Browns; graduate of Beecher High School
* Courtney Hawkins, wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers; graduated high school in Beecher
* Carol Yager, among the most severely obese people in history
*Jaylein Auther-Henry Cantrell, rapper known by his stage name, YN Jay

External links

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References

{{Genesee County, Michigan

Unincorporated communities in Genesee County, Michigan
Census-designated places in Genesee County, Michigan
Census-designated places in Michigan
Unincorporated communities in Michigan