Originally established in 1830 as a village, Dexter was incorporated as a city on November 20, 2014.[5] It is located next to several rivers and trails, including the Border-to-Border Trail. Within city limits are the Dexter Cider Mill, one of the oldest cider mills in the state of Michigan, as well as a farmers market and various other local businesses.
The area was first settled in 1824 when land speculator Samuel W. Dexter purchased a large tract of land and originated the village. It was known as "Mill Creek Settlement" until the village was officially platted in 1830, when its name was changed to Dexter.
Mill Creek and the Huron River, which form much of the western and northeastern boundaries of the city, have long been valuable resources to Dexter. A sawmill was built in 1827, a woolen mill in 1838, a grist mill in 1844, and a cider mill in 1886. After being appointed County Court Justice in 1826, Judge Dexter reportedly established a post office in his home, shuttling mail between there and Ann Arbor on horseback. Dexter eventually went on to serve as the chief justice of the Washtenaw County Court as well as being elected a University of Michigan regent. His home, Gordon Hall, was built in the early 1840s in Greek Revival architecture and is a recognizable landmark in the area. Gordon Hall was built by Calvin T. Fillmore, an architect and brother of President Millard Fillmore. Samuel Dexter was a staunch abolitionist, and it is nearly certain that Gordon Hall was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
On March 20, 1966, the Dexter area experienced "one of the most infamous of all UFO sightings in history" when local truck driver Frank Mannor spotted a glowing object near his home. Astronomer J. Allen Hynek visited Dexter and declared the object was probably caused by "swamp gas," a term which has since become closely affiliated with UFO sightings. Hynek's swamp gas theory prompted then-Michigan Congressman (and future president) Gerald R. Ford to call for a thorough Congressional investigation of "the rash of reported sightings of unidentified flying objects in southern Michigan".[6][7]
On March 15, 2012, Dexter was struck by a large EF3 tornado causing substantial damage to local houses and businesses, yet no injuries were reported.[8]
On November 4, 2014, Dexter residents voted to adopt a new charter, officially turning the former village into a city.[9]
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.97 square miles (5.10km2), of which 1.94 square miles (5.02km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08km2) (1.52%) is water.[1]
The WAVE Community Connector Bus[11] stops at several Dexter locations daily and on weekends. Its regular route travels between Chelsea and Ann Arbor, where it transfers to AATA bus #30.
Dexter has a depot built around 1840 when the Central Railroad of Michigan from Detroit ended here. Today, no trains stop here, but it is the home of the Ann Arbor Model Railroad Club and is almost completely surrounded by old railroad memorabilia, such as old level crossing signals and baggage carts.
Downtown Dexter's main thoroughfares were originally known as A, B, C, D, and E Streets. Today, these are known as Alpine, Broad, Central, Dover, and Edison Streets.[15]
According to the census[17] of 2020, the population of Dexter was 6,696, with 2,466 households. Of these households, 96% are owner-occupied, with a median home value of $372,300. The median monthly owner cost for homes with a mortgage is $2,154, and $720 without a mortgage. Renters in Dexter pay a median gross rent of $958.
In terms of racial makeup, 93.2% of the population is White, 1.5% is Asian, 0.3% is African American, 0.0% is Native American, 0.8% are from other races, and 4.3% are from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals of any race make up 3.6% of the population.
The age distribution of the population that was reported to the census: 26% of residents are under 18 years old, 19% are 64 years or older, and 46.3% are female. 100% of residents in Dexter are high school graduates, and 54.5% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The mean travel time to work is 29.4 minutes.
As of the census[18] of 2010, there were 4,067 people, 1,590 households, and 1,067 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,174.9 inhabitants per square mile (839.7/km2). There were 1,704 housing units at an average density of 911.2 per square mile (351.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.7% White, 1.1% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.8% of the population. Since the 2000 census, Dexter's population grew 62.9%, the largest population growth in the state during that time period.[19]
There were 1,590 households, of which 42.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.20.
The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 31% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 32.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.2% were from 45 to 64; and 8.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.
2000 census
At the 2000 census,[2] there were 2,338 people, 1,013 households and 641 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,236.7 inhabitants per square mile (477.5/km2). There were 1,106 housing units at an average density of 585.0 per square mile (225.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.58% White, 0.43% African American, 0.30% Native American, 1.03% Asian, 0.26% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.98% of the population.
There were 1,013 households, of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.6% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92.
26.4% of the population were under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 38.1% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.
The median household income was $50,510, and the median family income was $62,697. Males had a median income of $49,375 versus $30,213 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,974. About 2.8% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.3% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Arts and culture
In 2008 the Encore Musical Theatre Company was founded at 3126 Broad Street by Broadway veteran and Michigan native Dan Cooney and Anne & Paul Koch. It is a non-profit musical theatre, recognized by the Actors' Equity Association. Their stated mission is to create quality, original theatrical productions with an emphasis on musical theatre, utilizing a unique mixture of Broadway and local talent of all levels, while engaging and entertaining a wide spectrum of the surrounding communities.[20][failed verification] In 2020 the company purchased the Copeland Building, at 7714 Ann Arbor Street, from Dexter Schools where they will resume productions once renovations are completed.[failed verification][needs update] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company got creative and offered performances on an outdoor stage at their new location.[citation needed]
Media
Dexter is served by two weekly newspapers. The Dexter Leader[21][failed verification] covers events in Dexter and Washtenaw County. The Sun Times News[22] is a weekly newspaper with a free mailed distribution that covers events in Dexter, Chelsea, and surrounding rural areas.
The Ann Arbor News (and its Mlive[23] online component) regularly includes coverage of events and stories in Dexter.
The quarterly Community Observer is delivered free to all permanent residents of Dexter and covers events in Dexter, Saline and Chelsea. The Observer also produces a Community Guide[24] each fall.
Dexter High School publishes The Squall[25] a student-run newspaper that is also available to Dexter residents via subscription. It has won several national high school journalism awards.[26]
Education
Mill Creek Middle SchoolCreekside Intermediate School, from Baker Road
Dexter Community Schools[27] is the public school district that serves Dexter residents. Schools in the district include Beacon Elementary School (Y5–2), Anchor Elementary School (Y5–2), Wylie Elementary School (3–4), Creekside Intermediate School (5–6), Mill Creek Middle School (7–8), and Dexter High School. Dexter High School is ranked 45th among high schools in Michigan.[28]
Dexter Community School is part of the larger Washtenaw Intermediate School District (WISD), which also serves Ann Arbor and other surrounding communities.
Dexter is also served by several nearby private and charter schools, including Daycroft Montessori,[29] Emerson School (K–8),[30] and Honey Creek Community School (K–8).[31]
The Dexter Cooperative Nursery School[32] is a non-profit community-run preschool.
Since 2011, the city of Dexter has been home to a vintage base ball team called the Union Base Ball Club of Dexter.[33]
Founded in 1978, the Dexter Ringers Horseshoe Club is a competitive horseshoe club that plays its annual season every summer at Dexter's First Street Park. The public park is located on Edison Street and features twelve horseshoe pits.
In 2003, the Dexter Baseball Club was formed. It later became the Dexter Little League (DLL)[34] and has 400–500 boys and girls aged 6 to 14 playing on 40+ baseball and softball teams each year. The DLL hosted the 8–10 boys' state baseball tournament in 2019.[citation needed]
Ann Arbor is a city in and the county seat of Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States. The 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the fifth-most populous city in Michigan. It is the principal city of the Ann Arbor metropolitan area, which encompasses all of Washtenaw County and had 372,258 residents in 2020. Ann Arbor is also included in the Metro Detroit combined statistical area and the Great Lakes megalopolis.
Washtenaw County is a county located in the U.S. state of Michigan. At the 2020 census, the population was 372,258. The county seat and largest city is Ann Arbor. The county was authorized by legislation in 1822 and organized as a county in 1826. Washtenaw County comprises the Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is home to the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, and Concordia University Ann Arbor.
Ray Township is a civil township of Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 3,780.
Ann Arbor Charter Township is a charter township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,673 at the 2020 census. The township borders the city of Ann Arbor and contains numerous exclaves, but the two are administered autonomously.
Chelsea is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,467 at the 2020 census.
Dexter Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,042 at the 2010 census. The city of Dexter is located to the southeast but does not border the township, and the two are administered autonomously.
Lima Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,307 at the 2010 census.
Salem Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,627 at the 2010 census.
Scio Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,081 at the 2010 census.
Superior Charter Township is a charter township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 13,058 at the 2010 census.
Webster Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 6,784 at the 2010 census.
Ypsilanti Charter Township is a charter township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 53,362 at the 2010 census. The city of Ypsilanti is mostly surrounded by the township, but the two are administered autonomously.
Barton Hills is a village in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 316 at the 2020 census. The village is located within Ann Arbor Charter Township just northwest of the city of Ann Arbor.
Northfield Township is a civil township of Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 8,514 at the 2020 census.
Whitmore Lake is a census-designated place (CDP) and unincorporated community in the U.S. state of Michigan. The community spans the boundary between Green Oak Township in Livingston County and Northfield Township in Washtenaw County. The population of the CDP was 7,584 at the 2020 census.
The Huron River is a 130-mile-long (210 km) river in southeastern Michigan, rising out of the Huron Swamp in Springfield Township in northern Oakland County and flowing into Lake Erie, as it forms the boundary between present-day Wayne and Monroe counties. Thirteen parks, game areas, and recreation areas are associated with the river, which passes through the cities of Dexter, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Belleville, Flat Rock and Rockwood that were developed along its banks.
Delhi Metropark is a park in the Huron-Clinton system of metro parks. It is an 81-acre (330,000 m2) park on the Huron River located five miles (8 km) northwest of Ann Arbor. It has picnic areas, two picnic shelters, swings and slides, river fishing, canoe rental and softball diamonds. A children's playground features an adventure playship, ride-on toys and swings. A Metropark daily or annual vehicle permit is required for entry to the park. The park will eventually be linked to Dexter-Huron Metropark and Hudson Mills Metropark via the Border-to-Border Trail.
Dexter–Huron Metropark is a 122-acre (0.49 km2) park on the Huron River in the Huron-Clinton system of metro parks. The park has three picnic areas, a children's play area, a softball diamond, fishing, and canoe launching. A Metropark daily or annual vehicle permit is required for entry. The park will eventually be linked to Hudson Mills Metropark and Delhi Metropark via the Border-to-Border Trail.
The Border-to-Border (B2B) Trail is a partially constructed non-motorized trail in Washtenaw County, Michigan. The trail is planned to cover approximately 35 miles (56 km) from Livingston County to Wayne County along the Huron River.
Ypsilanti, commonly shortened to Ypsi, is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 20,648. The city is bounded to the north by Superior Township and on the west, south, and east by Ypsilanti Township. It is home of Eastern Michigan University.
↑ Meade, Nelson (WCPARC Secretary/Treasurer) (March 9, 2010). "Minutes of Meeting March 10". Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission. Archived from the original(PDF) on December 2, 2014.
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